Novel Study Unit: The Great Gatsby - Café Davis Study Unit: The Great Gatsby ... For our study of...

Novel Study Unit:

The Great Gatsby

ENG4U Novel Study Unit • Name: ___________________________

From CliffsNotes The Great Gatsby Summary and Study Guide

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The Great Gatsby Character Map

For our study of The Great Gatsby, we will be using literature circles as a tool for learning. Literature circles are designed to provide small group discussion time about the novel as you are reading the novel. It is an opportunity for you to discuss issues, ideas, and questions that you may have about the section of the novel you have read. As well, the notes and ideas exchanged serve as a complete set of study notes for the novel (along with some input from me), and will prepare you for your quizzes, unit test, multimedia presentations, and exam.

You must be accountable for the time that you spend with your group at your Literature Circle Meeting and the material that you are required to cover. For each meeting, you are expected to:

• Read the assigned short stories• Complete the assigned role for each meeting• Participate fully by reading your task role (it does not matter what order)• Contribute to all discussions by responding to each person who reads their role

You will meet three times total, once each to discuss the novel, The Great Gatsby. You will be expected to complete each of the following roles throughout our study of the novel. Meeting dates will be supplemented by input lessons and/or activities, if necessary, providing contextual information to aid your study.

Task role requirements for each Literature Circle Meeting:

• Typed• Length of one to two pages• Organizational layout (use of bolded headings, etc.)

You will be assessed according to:

• The appropriate completion of your task role, as prescribed in the instructions• The quality of your contributions to the literature circle meeting• The quality of your ideas

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The Great Gatsby Literature Circles

Role Description Sample Questions to Consider When Completing

What to Complete

Literary Luminary

Big Connector

Peacemaker

Charley

Grand Questioner

You are also expected to highlight examples of literary devices and record both their uses and effectiveness. Finally, you will be asked to look up any allusions or references in the novel you read and explain your understanding of them.

• What makes the writing in this section so effective? (literary devices)

• How is the symbolism necessary to the story as a whole?

• What references are made to situations outside of the original story?

• At least four (4) examples of different literary devices, including their use (i.e., the sentence it appears in)

• At least one (1) allusions or references, with explanations

Connecting to prior knowledge and experience to reading deepens comprehension and understanding. You will be looking for and recording connections that you can make to the novel you have chosen.

Basically, there are four types of connections that you can make:

A. Text to text - find a connection between the text that you are reading and something that you have read or watched elsewhere

B. Text to the world - find connections between the text that you are reading and bigger issues or events in the world

C. Text to self - find a connection between the text that you are reading and your personal experience

D. Text within text - find a connection between the section of the text that you are reading and another section of the same text.

You are also expected to discuss theme(s) as you make connections.

• What connections can you make to current events in your community?

• What other people or places could you compare this story to?

• What other books or stories might you compare this one to?

• What other characters or authors might you compare this to?

• How does the theme(s) represented connect to other stories? Previous sections? Media texts?

• All four (4) connections must be made, written in separate sentences, with headings for each type of connection

• A theme statement reflecting the dominant theme of the section read (not for each connection)

You are being asked to identify and examine the different types of conflict at play in the novel. Remember to consider all seven of the varieties of conflict (person vs. person, person vs. society, person vs. self, person vs. nature, etc.). Examine the reason behind each conflict, and provide a resolution to each conflict.

• What examples of conflict are at play in the novel?

• How does one conflict affect another?• What solutions can be offered to the

characters?• Are any forms of conflict more prevalent?

What does this tell us about the novel as a whole?

• At least three (3) different types of conflict

• Reason behind each conflict found

• Resolution to each conflict found

You are expected to track the characters and their development throughout the story. You will keep a list of the character traits demonstrated within the story, with examples and any new characters that are introduced. It is important that you include physical, mental, moral, and emotional characteristics.

• What do we know about the characters?• What new characters have we met in this

section?• How do we learn about the characters?• Are any character traits from earlier

sections developed further in this section? If so, how?

• At least three (3) character traits for each character

• Identify what type of character, based on importance, complexity, and development

• State how/why character develops.

Your job is to record any questions that you have about reading this particular short story. You want to record the questions that were circling in your brain as you read the story, and any questions that you may have about what is yet to come.

• Why did the author make a particular choice?

• What did the text make you think about?• What do you think this story was about?• What was the most important change in

this story – and why?• How might other people (of different

backgrounds) think about this story?

• At least six (6) higher-order questions (questions that do no elicit a one-word or short response; that require an explanation)

• An answer to each of the questions devised

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The Great Gatsby Literature Circle Roles

Group Members & Contact Info:

1. ___________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________________________

4. ___________________________________________________________________

5. ___________________________________________________________________

Literature Circle ScheduleRole Meeting 1 Meeting 2 Meeting 3 Meeting 4 Meeting 5

Literary Luminary

Big Connector

Peacemaker

Charley

Grand Questioner

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The Great Gatsby Literature Circle Role Schedule

You will work in a group of three, on one of the following projects listed below. Choose your partners wisely. This assignment will be presented orally to the class. This is an opportunity for you to amaze us with your media skills and creativity as well as your analyses. Presentations are to be 15-20 minutes. You must include a Works Cited page with your rubric prior to presenting.

Decline of the American Dream (in 1920s) – This period in American history is a time of unprecedented wealth, with people flaunting their material excess with conspicuous consumption. Despite the economic prosperity, one can see the decline, corruption, and perversion of the American Dream, in regards to social and moral values. How does this manifest itself in the novel?

Spirit of the 1920s – prepare a show in which various aspects of the 1920s are presented to the class. Brainstorm within your group for ideas and categories (e.g., one category could be “fashion” leading to an investigation and presentation of the Flappers). Use music, visuals, and/or costumes in your presentation. Use the talents of your group, including your painters and musicians for a live performance.

Role of Symbols – Assign each member of your group one or more of the following symbols in the novel to investigate: the green light on Daisy’s dock, the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, the valley of ashes, Gatsby’s parties, East Egg, West Egg. Research the meaning of each of these symbols. What significance do they bear in relation to the text, and to American society in the 1920s? How is the symbol’s meaning relevant to today’s society?

Weather – In literature, weather can often match or represent the atmosphere of the story. This can be seen in Shakespeare’s works as well. What does the weather throughout the novel suggest about certain occurrences, encounters, relationships, people, or places?

Excess, Social Values, & Social Class – Think about the American dream, where anyone, regardless of social class, has the potential to make a fortune. Consider the quest for wealth, extravagant parties, material excess. There is no question that people are often judged by their appearance and social status, among other superficial criteria. How are these judgements fair and unfair, true and untrue? How does conspicuous consumption, living extravagantly, materialism, and prestige of social status affect social values individually and collectively? How do these facets of excess affect the social strata, and who (i.e., which social stratum) is most impacted, and in what ways?

Hollowness of the Upper Class – American families, who come from “old money”, exhibit an aristocratic disdain for the newly rich. Why is this? Is it justified? Does this take place today, and in what forms? What does this say about the perception of people, their realness, and the fabric of society? Does the hollowness of the upper class damage the the identity of people, their realness, and/or the fabric of society?

Geography – Think about the various settings of the novel. Many of them exemplify aspects of the American 1920s depicted by Fitzgerald. What do these settings represent? Are there dichotomies present in this depiction that can be compared to anything today? Each group member will represent a “setting” from the novel. Each setting argues to prove that it is the most important representation.

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The Great Gatsby Research Multimedia Presentation

Name(s): _________________________________________________________________________________

Topic: ____________________________________________________________________________________

**Submit this sheet with a Works Cited page to your teacher prior to presenting.**

Category Level 1(50-59%)

Level 2(60-69%)

Level 3(70-79%)

Level 4(80-100%)

Knowledge/

UnderstandingInformation, ideas

Presents limited relevant information and ideas

Presents some relevant information and ideas

Presents considerable relevant information and ideas

Presents thorough and insightful relevant information and ideas

Thinking/Inquiry• Creative thinking/risk

taking

• Sensory appeal

• Takes few risks to incorporate unusual or unexpected features

• Shows limited skill in appealing to several senses

• Takes some risks to incorporate unusual or unexpected features

• Shows some skill in appealing to several senses

• Takes considerable risks to incorporate unusual or unexpected features

• Shows considerable skill in appealing to several senses

• Shows a high degree of risk taking to incorporate unusual or unexpected features

• Shows a high degree of skill in appealing to several senses

Communication• Focus and unity

• Sense of audience and

purpose

• Interplay of media

• Has limited focus

• Choice of material and media show limited sense of audience and purpose

• Interplay of media has limited effectiveness

• Has some focus and unity

• Choice of material and media show some sense of audience and purpose

• Interplay of media is somewhat effective

• Has considerable focus and unity

• Choice of material and media show considerable sense of audience and purpose

• Interplay of media is effective

• Has a strong, clear, unified focus

• Choice of material and media show strong sense of audience and purpose

• Interplay of media is highly effective

Application• Use of media and

technology

• Presentation

• Shows limited command of the media and technology used

• Few parts of the presentation are smooth and fluent

• Shows some command of the media and technology used

• Some parts of the presentation are smooth and fluent

• Shows considerable command of the media and technology used

• Most of the presentation is smooth and fluent

• Shows strong command of the media and technology used

• All or almost all of the presentation is smooth and fluent

Duration: ____________

Comments:

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Rubric Multimedia Presentation /16

Group Members & Contact Info:

1. __________________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________________________

4. __________________________________________________________________________

5. __________________________________________________________________________

Creating the Graphic1. In groups of 4-5, discuss your element of literature, examining how and why that element is

significant to the novel as a whole. This literary element must be prominent on the Graffiti Wall.2. Choose a creative title for your graffiti wall.3. Include 3-4 words that represent the significance of your literary element in The Great Gatsby.4. Include 3-4 quotations from The Great Gatsby that demonstrate the significance of your literary

element. Write them on the back of the Graffiti Wall; they will be read in the presentation.5. Include 3-4 graphics (doodles, drawings, shapes, colours, symbols).6. Discuss how you will present your graphic and your element of literature to your classmates.

Assign all group members a part in the presentation.

Presentation1. Put your graphic on the wall or board and explain your element of literature and its

significance to the novel as a whole.2. Explain the significance of the words, quotes, and graphics you use on your graffiti wall.3. Be prepared to answer any questions raised by the class or lead a discussion raised by these

questions.

Tips• This should NOT be a mural. It must clearly be graffiti. Look at many examples• No background paper colour should be visible• Words and images should be overlapping• Words and phrases should be HUGE• Colour is important• Images should be exaggerated/distorted• Pick only a few words/images to tell your story. Be selective–less is more• Some suggestions for mediums are: paint, crayons, charcoal, markers

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The Great Gatsby Visual Literacy • Graffiti Wall

Names: ______________________________________________________________________

Literary Element/Topic: ________________________________________________________

Graphics: clarity, originality, relevance, easily viewed from 6’ away, creative

0 1 2 3 4 5

Content: interpretation, accuracy, 3-4 words/phrases, 3-4 images, colour

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Overall Format: resembles a graffiti wall in terms of layout, design, and neatness

0 1 2 3 4 5

Use of Class Time: focused on task and never distracted

0 1 2

Oral Presentation as a Group: full understanding of section, presented with enthusiasm

0 1 2 3

Total: /259

The Great Gatsby Graffiti Wall • Group Evaluation

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Instructions: Write a well-organized essay using introduced, embedded, cited, and analysed quotations. You will need two (2) quotations per body paragraph. You are permitted to have the text with the pages containing your chosen quotations flagged with sticky notes, with a maximum of one word written on the sticky notes. No other notes or resources are permitted. If any additional items are discovered, you will not be permitted to use the text at all.

Question:

The essay prompt question, quotation, or statement will appear here. Below is how you will be evaluated on this in-class essay. You will only have one class period to complete the essay.

Essay Question Evaluation

Topic Development: originality, logical development of ideas

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Support: quotation choice and analysis

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Organization & Conventions: essay and paragraph structure and formatting, mechanics

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Diction & Sentence Fluency: word choice, sentence structure, syntax, style

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Total /40

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The Great Gatsby Test Essay Question

Since you are not permitted to keep your in-class essay, this exercise will be a means for you to record your common errors and reflect on them in an effort to improve for the next in-class writing.

List what you did well on your essay

1. _______________________________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________________________________

List the areas that you need to work on in the essay.

1. _______________________________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________________________________

Find errors in your essay pertaining to the following five categories. Write the sentences down, identify the error and correct the sentence error.

1. Organization/Structure of the Essay (including paragraph structure)

Error:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Corrected organization or structure:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

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Essays Metacognition • Name: __________________

2. Embedding/MLA Guidelines:

Error:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Corrected embedding of quotation(s) within sentence(s):

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Style & Diction: Is it appropriately formal and academic in nature?

Error:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Corrected language choice(s):

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

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4. Thesis & Argument(s): Are they deficient or missing?

Error:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Corrected thesis and/or argument(s):

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Analysis: What is missing in yours?

Error:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Corrected analysis/analyses:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

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1. What advice did the narrator’s father give him? Do you agree with Nick’s father? What are examples of “fundamental decencies”?

2. Describe Gatsby’s house. What do the details about his house suggest about his character?

3. Describe Nick’s house. What do the details about his house suggest about his character?

4. Who are the Buchanans and where do they live? Tom’s physical description is important later in the novel. How does the narrator describe him? What might this description suggest about him?

5. Describe Daisy. From the description, what actress, singer, or other well-known figure do you think might be like Daisy?

6. Describe Jordan Baker. Why is she at the Buchanans?

7. Why do we get the impression that Tom is a racist? What is his explanation for “civilization going to pieces”?

8. What attitude do Daisy and Jordan have? How is Jordon shown as “immoral” and Daisy as innocent?

9. Reread Daisy’s comment right after her daughter was born. What is your reaction to her comment?

10.How does Gatsby react to the green light at the end of Chapter 1?

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The Great Gatsby Chapter 1 Questions

1. Describe the valley of the ashes. What does it symbolize?

2. Nick goes with Tom to visit Myrtle. Describe her and her husband. What happens during the course of the evening? What shows Myrtle’s lack of sophistication? Explain the significance of the puppy episode in terms of what it reveals about Tom and Myrtle.

3. Why did Tom get so angry with Myrtle for mentioning Daisy’s name? From his reaction, how do you think he feels about Daisy? About Myrtle?

4. Overindulgence in alcohol is a problem for many of the characters in the novel. Consider why Fitzgerald might have chosen to include this detail in the novel.

5. Gatsby’s parties are juxtaposed to Tom’s by Fitzgerald. How do they compare? What does Nick mean when he says he is one of the few who were invited? What are some rumours about Gatsby heard at this party? What is Nick’s comment about the gossip? What did he mean?

6. Who is “owl eyes” and what surprises him? Explain what he meant by Gatsby not cutting the pages.

7. What does Nick find most intriguing about Gatsby? What about Gatsby is suspicious to Nick?

8. Jordan Baker is dishonest, while Nick prides himself on his honesty. How does Jordan feel around Nick?

9. Describe a party of today that would approach the magnificence of Gatsby’s.

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The Great Gatsby Chapter 2 & 3 Questions

1. Nick keeps a list of the party guests on a train schedule dated July 5, 1922. Why did Fitzgerald include this section? Consider the names of the guests (characterization) and the significance of the date.

2. What travellers are seen just after Nick and Gatsby cross the Queensboro Bridge? Why are they important in terms of theme?

3. What is extremely unusual about Mr. Wolfsheim? Note Wolfsheim’s comment about Gatsby, “He would never so much as look at a friend’s wife” (73). Why is this ironic? What crime does Gatsby say Wolfsheim committed? What is Nick’s reaction? Discuss how Fitzgerald’s portrayal of Wolfsheim is reflective of anti-Semitic attitudes.

4. Gatsby’s unexpected departure from the restaurant upon meeting Tom is a transition for what Jordan is about to tell Nick in the next section of the chapter. What startling news does Nick discover about Gatsby and Daisy?

5. What did Daisy do the day before her wedding to Tom? What was Tom doing shortly after the wedding? How are these details significant?

6. What favour is asked of Nick on Gatsby’s behalf? Put yourself in Nick’s place. A friend wants you to arrange to meet with someone another friend is dating. What would you do? Why do you think Nick agreed?

7. Discuss how fixing the 1919 World Series is a slap in the face of American ideals.

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1. What does Gatsby propose that offends Nick? Why does Nick refuse? Discuss what this reaction suggests about his character.

2. Describe Daisy and Gatsby’s meeting. What did you notice? Discuss the three emotional states Gatsby move through upon meeting Daisy again. How does Fitzgerald’s description of the encounter compare to what you thought might happen?

3. Why do you think Daisy cries when she sees all of Gatsby’s beautiful shirts? What does this suggest about her character and the nature of her relationship with Gatsby?

4. Why is the song “Ain’t We Got Fun?”–Gatsby’s request to Klipspringer–both appropriate and ironic?

5. This chapter is often seen as the beginning of Gatsby’s downfall. Offer suggestions as to how this might be true.

6. Discuss the expression “money can’t buy happiness” as it relates to the characters in the novel.

7. Prove or disprove the following by citing examples from your own experience, movies, sports, or literature: the dream of what “could be” is usually superior to the dream achieved in reality.

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Explanation of the reference to Trimalchio:Trimalchio was a comic character in Petronius’ Satyricon. This character, also a nouveau riche, was known for his hilarious parties and farcical antics. Gatsby had given the parties in hopes that Daisy would eventually attend one. Now there is no need to continue them.

1. Describe the weather in this chapter and its relevance to the plot.

2. Explain how Pammy’s appearance affects Gatsby.

3. The Buchanans’ unlimited wealth has left their lives empty and boring. Knowing this, what does Gatsby represent for Daisy?

4. What is Tom’s hypocritical reaction to Daisy’s affair? What double standard is at work here?

5. What has George Wilson learned? Why has George been trying to buy a car from Tom throughout the novel?

6. Compare Tom and George in their knowledge that their wives are having affairs.

7. Discuss the confrontation between Tom and Gatsby in the hotel.

8. Explain Nick’s comment: “So we drove on toward death through the cooling twilight.”

9. How does Nick change as a result of Myrtle’s death?

10.Who did Myrtle think was driving the car? Who was really driving? What is your reaction to this plot complication?

11.Gatsby remained outdoors, looking up at the light in Daisy’s room, waiting to make sure she was alright. Meanwhile, Nick looked through the kitchen window and saw Tom and Daisy meeting to conspire. How is this scene a microcosm of the larger situation?

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1. What foreshadows Gatsby’s death?

2. Nick urges Gatsby to go away, but he refuses. Explain.

3. Why does Fitzgerald include Gatsby’s flashback about Daisy?

4. To what “grail” does Gatsby refer? Why do you think Fitzgerald include this allusion?

5. What is the symbolic significance of autumn at the novel’s end? Why is there a “sharp difference” in the weather?

6. What does Nick mean when he says to Gatsby, “You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together”? Is Nick being hypocritical?

7. What does Nick realize about Jordan?

8. George Wilson typifies the ordinary man. What else does Fitzgerald’s portrayal of him suggest?

9. Reread the paragraph beginning “No telephone message arrived…” How did Nick believe Gatsby was feeling during the minutes preceding his death? Do you agree with Nick’s estimation?

10.Discuss the conversations that might have transpired between the following characters:Gatsby and Daisy on the way to New YorkGatsby and Daisy on the way back to East EggTom and Daisy back home after the accident* Be prepared to share you conversations with the class

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Novel Study Unit: The Great Gatsby - Café Davis Study Unit: The Great Gatsby ... For our study of...

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