1. Today
Please take the Touchstone #1. This is like a benchmark. Just do your best and don’t worry!
When you’re done, return to Ch. 1 and do the Ch. 1 activity. Hold onto this – we will briefly discuss it tomorrow.
Please read through the “Motifs” handout, choose your motif, and comment on how you can see that now, at the beginning of the novel.
*For tomorrow, please have Ch. 2 fully read.

2. Gatsby Journal 1 (keep all together!) Wednesday 8/30
Describe a time that you have felt lonely in a crowd of people. (If you have never felt this way, feel free to take creative license and create a narrative about how it might feel.)

3. Ch. 2 Mystery Bag Quiz
For each image, write as much detailed description as you can of what the image represents, the symbolism, and the importance of the image to Ch. 1 & 2 of The Great Gatsby. The more detailed and precise your explanation is – the better, and the more points you will earn. However, don’t try to create oodles of “fake news” if you haven’t read or simply don’t know. 

4. Gatsby Journal 2 (keep all together) Thursday 8/31
Explain how parties – and feel free to define that subjectively – have impacted your life either positively or negatively. How do parties play a role in today’s society?

5. Tone vs. Mood
Tone = the author’s feelings, attitudes, emotions – search for particular words, phrases, and descriptions that contribute to your understanding of the tone
Mood = the reader’s feelings, attitudes, emotions – based on the words, phrases, and descriptions in the text
Complete the tone and mood practice exercise. Use the green handout to help you identify appropriate words.

6. You’re invited to Gatsby’s Party!
Collect evidence to fill out the graphic organizer.
After-Party (not at the club!):
On the back of your handout, please do the following:
Pick two different party-goers and state the tone of the party according to them. Explain.
State the tone of the party according to Gatsby. Explain.
State the mood of the party according to you. Explain.

7. GATSBY JOURNAL 3 (keep all together!)
Here’s a good question: Why Nick? Fitzgerald could have chosen any perspective for his point of view but he chose first person narration, and he developed Mr. Carraway for a purpose. Why?
Based on what you’ve read so far, what do you think Nick’s role is? How does it connect to the author’s own perspective? Can we trust Nick? (He says at the end of 39 that he is “the only honest man he’s ever known”; literary critics, however, often consider him hopelessly dishonest and hypocritical.)

8. Gatsby Journal 4 (keep all together) Friday 9/1
Do you believe there is ever a circumstance where adultery should be allowed? Why or why not? Be sure to explain/support your response.

9. Motifs in Gatsby Let’s discuss…
We are now halfway through the novel – how do you see your motif taking shape?

10. Examine the film portrayal of Ch. 1-4.

11. Gatsby Journal 5 (keep all together) Tuesday 9/5
Describe a time you lied about yourself. How did you feel? Did your lie work? What makes us lie? What makes us decide to abandon lies and tell the truth?

12. Respond to each image from Ch. 5.
Mystery Bag Quiz!
Respond to each image from Ch. 5.
Be sure to explain in as much detail as possible how each image corresponds to the themes, is symbolically important, etc.

13. Gatsby Journal 6 (keep all together) Wednesday 9/6
Nick says to Gatsby, “You can’t repeat the past.” Gatsby disagrees. “Why of course you can!” What do you think? Can the past be recaptured? Be sure to explain/support your response.

14. Old Money vs. New Money & Atlanta’s Rich vs. Gatsby’s Rich
What is the difference between old money and new money?
Read the article “Field Guide to Atlanta’s Rich” (Atlanta Magazine, 2003). Take notes on the Venn diagram about the old money and new money in Atlanta.
Think about all the wealth, both old and new, represented in Gatsby. Add notes to that side of the Venn diagram. Use textual evidence to support.
Compare similar themes and ideas about wealth in both the novel and in our city.

15. Gatsby Journal 7 (keep all together!) Thursday 9/7
Does Gatsby really love Daisy? I’m curious to hear if you buy into his dreams, or if you think he’s delusional and is really in love with the idea of her. Be sure to support your views with evidence from the text.

16. Gatsby Journal 8 (keep all together!) Thursday 9/7
Explain a significant fight (either physical or emotional) that has impacted who you are today. If you can’t think of one, use your creative license to make it up. Make it interesting. Make it matter.

17. Chain Reaction
Think about all the events, twists, and turns that ultimately led to Gatsby’s death. What event led to the next? What could have been different?

18. 1974 Film View Ch. 5-9 of the film. Fill out graphic organizer.
Turn in graphic organizer.

19. Gatsby Journal 9 Friday 9/8
What makes Gatsby “great”? Why did F. Scott Fitzgerald choose that as the title and focus of his novel?

20. Color Symbolism in The Great Gatsby
You Need:
Color Symbolism Handout
Graphic Organizer
Tone/Mood Handout (green)
Butcher Paper
Markers

21. Motifs Finish tracking your motif through the end of the novel.
Turn in your motifs handout no later than Monday (if you need to finish).

22. Focus on color symbolism.
2013 film Version
Focus on color symbolism.
Think about Lurhmann’s portrayal of the plot, setting, and characters.

23. GATSBY JOURNAL 10 (FINAL JOURNAL – TURN THEM ALL IN)
Which film portrayal do you think is a better adaptation of the novel?: Coppola’s 1974 film or Luhrrman’s 2013 film? Give specific reasons.

24. Reviewing Gatsby Characters Setting Symbolism Figurative Language
Major Discussion Points