1. ‘The Great Gatsby’
Chapter Two

2. End Summary In pairs, identify any important events from chapter two.
Summarise the chapter in five bullet points.
Be prepared to share your answers with the class.
5 minutes
End

3. Learning Intentions
By the end of this lesson, you will have a firmer understanding of:
Characterisation
The symbolic and thematic importance of the Valley of Ashes
The novel’s structure

4. Setting- The Valley of Ashes
“..a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of ash-grey men, who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air”
Task: Consider the word choice and/or sentence structure used in this extract – how does it compare with description of East Egg (remember connotations)?

5. Symbolism- Decay of America’s Social Fabric
On a literal level, the Valley of Ashes is a stretch of desolate land where industrial ashes are dumped.
Symbolically, it represents the moral and social decay which arises out of the pursuit of wealth and riches. Pleasure is given priority and the rich overlook the suffering of others. The repetition of ‘grey’ creates the idea of colour and definition being absent from this setting and suggests the people and landscape are almost invisible to the rich.
Symbolic of the moral decay hidden behind the glitzy façade of East and West Egg.

6. Characterisation- Tom
Each group will examine a quotation which reveals an aspect of Tom’s personality in this chapter.
Discuss the quotation and consider what Fitzgerald is trying to reveal about both the character and the social class to which he belongs.
Be prepared to share your ideas with the class.

7. Characterisation-Myrtle
What are your first impressions of Myrtle? Make notes which may take into account:
Her aspirations.
How she differs from Daisy.
Her conduct in New York.
Her values.
Her treatment of her husband.
The way money alters her personality.

8. Structure- The Delayed Introduction of Gatsby
“Well they say he’s the nephew or a cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm’s. That’s where all his money comes from”
Why do you think Fitzgerald delays the introduction of the protagonist?
What is the effect of the rumours Nick hears about his neighbour?