Prompt #1: The American Dream Write about the American Dream. What is it and what does it mean to you? What are your dreams for the future?” Later ask, “If money was not an issue…What effect would wealth have upon the dreams that you wrote about earlier?” How does Gatsby represent the American dream? What does the novel have to say about the condition of the American dream in the 1920s—think about—dreams, wealth, time and the idea of America. This needs to be AT LEAST one paragraph.

Prompt #2: Character Reflection How do you feel about the characters that you have met in The Great Gatsby thus far? Do any of the characters remind you of someone you know? How have the female characters been portrayed thus far? Write AT LEAST one paragraph.

Prompt #3: Carelessness How is carelessness pivotal in the characters’ lives? How is carelessness related to childishness? Write AT LEAST one paragraph.

Prompt #4: Symbols Write about your school mascot. Why is your mascot a good symbol for the school? What are some other symbols of schools or businesses that you can think of? What symbols would you choose for the characters in The Great Gatsby? Write AT LEAST one paragraph.

Prompt #5: Gatsby’s Love Would you say that Gatsby’s feelings—love or obsession? How do you know? Is his dream worthwhile? Write at least one paragraph.

Prompt #6: Past Vs. Present What role does the past play in the novel? Consider what Gatsby thinks about recovering the past. Think about relationships, symbols, and imagery that suggest time passage. Can we successfully deny or past, past selves, experiences? How does Nick emerge from his experiences with a bitter understanding of reality? Write AT LEAST one paragraph.

Prompt #7: What makes Gatsby “Great”? Discuss Gatsby’s character so far in the novel. What makes Gatsby “great”? Why is this title appropriate? Is he heroic or foolish? Romantic or Realist? Write AT LEAST one paragraph.

Prompt #8: The Women of Gatsby Think about the female characters in “The Great Gatsby.” How are they portrayed? How do they change throughout the novel? Do they change?

East Egg vs West Egg Collage Fold your paper in half. Label one side “East Egg” and the other side, “West Egg.” Then, make a collage of all the things that you feel represent both sides. Remember the distinction: West-Nouveau Riche; these people work for their money. They are still wealthy, but they have earned their wealth East-Inherited Wealth; these are the Old Aristocrats who have earned their wealth. These include the Buchanans For EACH of the pictures you choose, include a small quote/caption from the book that explains why you chose that image You must have at least 3 images on each side of your collage.

Prompt #9: A Rotten Crowd “They’re a rotten crowd—you’re worth the whole damn bunch,” Nick tells Gatsby, do you agree?

Prompt #10: Gatsby & Tom Compare and contrast Gatsby and Tom. How are they alike? How are they different? Given the extremely negative light in which Tom is portrayed throughout the novel, why might Daisy choose to remain with him instead of leaving him for Gatsby?

Prompt #11: Eyes What do people see and not see in the novel? Reveal and not reveal? Consider ‘blindness,’ vision, mistaken identity, TJ Eckleberg, Owl Eyes… Write at least ONE paragraph with your response.

T.J. Eckleburg Billboard Recall the Valley of Ashes and the large billboard overlooking the ashy wasteland. Take a moment and illustrate what images you thought of when you read about the Billboard. Then write a brief paragraph under your illustration describing what you feel the eyes of the optometrist represent. Why do the characters continually focus on those eyes? Why do you think Fitzgerald includes them in the book? What is life like for the people who live in the Valley of the Ashes?