1. THe Roaring 20’s Mrs. Wolford
THe Great Gatsby
THe Roaring 20’s
Mrs. Wolford

2. A Glamorous Life - December 8
In your eyes, what is the definition of a glamorous or luxurious life?
How do you think America views luxury? What measures your success or if your life is considered “successful”?
Why do you believe the things you listed for the questions above make you appear to a “luxurious” or “glamorous” life?
Who or what influences Americans to believe so? The media? Things that have happened in the past? Explain your answer.
How do we obtain this life? What steps are essential to take in order to have this life?

3. The Great Gatsby Opinionnaire
People are either all good or all bad.
Money can buy you happiness.
A materialistic culture is an unhealthy culture.
Knowledge gained through schooling is more valuable than knowledge gained through experience.
All educated citizens in the U.S. are presented with the same opportunities for success.
Popular music is more than just pure entertainment. It acts as an effective form of information transmission.
An individual has the ability to reinvent him/herself at will.

4. The Roaring 20’s Economy booming America partied Organized crime
Prohibition Act
Decline of moral standards

5. Spirit of the 1920’s Urbanization and the move away from the land
Fascination with the dream of success
Popularity of jazz
Mass produced automobile

6. Prohibition
The 18th Amendment (1919) prohibited the sale and production of alcohol.
Distributed through “bootleggers”
Alcohol was served in illegal nightclubs called “speakeasies.”
During this time the Mafia became important in American society.
This was also the time for famous gangsters like Al Capone.

7. The Changing Role of Women
The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote (1920).
During the 20’s, 9 million were employed and earned money on their own.
Women cut off their hair into bobs for the first time.
They were able to drink and smoke in public.
First time in history in which alcoholism is a problem
for women.

8. The Flapper Liberated young women were called “flappers.”
They can live alone and have equal relationships to men.
They had more self-confidence and independence.

9. East Egg vs. West Egg
In The Great Gatsby, there are two cities, East Egg and West Egg, which are separated by the Valley of Ashes. What city you live in between the two, shows if you are from a wealthy family (East Egg) or if you are new to wealth (West Egg).
People in East Egg come from families that have always had money.
They are more snobby, greedy, and mean than people in West Egg.
People in West Egg are considered “new money” and are looked down on by the people in East Egg.

10. Scott Fitzgerald He attended Princeton University.
In 1917, he joined the Army.
He then met his wife, Zelda.
Published The Great Gatsby at age 23 in 1925.
Known as a speaker of the Jazz Age.
Dealt with drinking problems and his wife’s schizophrenia most of his life.
Died in 1940.

11. What is the American Dream?
It describes an attitude of hope and faith that looks forward to the fulfillment of human wishes and desires.
Gatsby is a representation of this dream.

12. Failure of the American Dream
poverty
discrimination
hypocrisy
corruption
suppression
exploitation

13. How will all of this be developed in the story?
Through the 5 central characters
Through certain dominant images and symbols
Through diction

14. The American Dream Today - December 8
On the sticky note that I just passed out to you, write a short sentence/idea/thought that comes to your mind when I ask what the current American Dream looks like for us? Once you are finished writing take your sticky note and place it on the board in the designated area and wait for my instruction.
What is our “American Dream” today?

15. Marrying For Money - December 9
Would you marry for money? Explain why or why not in detail.
What can be said about people who marry for money?
Can they ever truly be happy? Why or why not?

16. Chapter 1 Journal Response - December 9
Choose 2 questions. Answer EACH in at least a well-written paragraph.
Why do you think Gatsby reaches out to the water at the end of the chapter? What does this symbolize? In your opinion, what is the meaning of his actions?
Why does Daisy hope that her daughter will be a beautiful fool? What does this imply to you about Daisy’s feelings about men and the treatment of women?
Why do you think Fitzgerald chose Nick to be the narrator of this novel? What do we, as readers, gain from Nick’s perspective?
What kind of relationship exists between Nick and the Buchanans? Why do you feel that the relationship is this way?

17. Character Predictions & Roles - December 10
For each character that we met yesterday write two sentences in your notebook. (Daisy, Jordan, Nick, Jay Gatsby, and Tom)
Sentence 1: Make a prediction for this character.
Sentence 2: What was your initial reaction to this character?

18. Chapter 2 Journal Response - December 10
Choose 2 questions. Answer EACH in at least a well-written paragraph.
How do you know that Tom respects Daisy more than Myrtle? What does he do that shows this and why?
Why might Tom not want to divorce Daisy? What does this show about his character?
In this chapter Fitzgerald describes the Valley of Ashes. He also mentions dust and smoke at the party. These symbols appear numerous times throughout the novel. What could they symbolize?
Assemble what you have learned about Myrtle Wilson and characterize her. What type of person is she? What does she want from Tom? What is her personality like? Is she a good or bad natured person and what makes you believe that?

19. Symbol - Gatsby’s Green Light

20. Symbol - The Eyes of T.J. Eckleburg

21. Symbol - The Valley of Ashes

22. Theme of Time Period/Novel - Jazz Age
What is Fitzgerald, our author, saying about humans and America during the Jazz Age as focused on in Chapter 2?

23. Myrtle Vs. Daisy - December 11
In the novel so far, which character do you believe has more good-natured qualities and characteristics between these two women and why?
Compare these two characters and write about what you notice about their similarities.
Write about how these characters are different and what makes them different?
How were these women described in the novel? What does this have to do with their characters?

24. How To Write a Review - December 11
Take notes as you watch the theater performance.
Comment on important characters. How do you rate these actors?
Describe voice and movement choices. How did the actors use their bodies differently to show the characters they played and how they felt?
Discuss the setting and the lighting used in the performance. Did it work well for the production? Why or why not?
What did the actors do that particularly impressed you? Give examples of good and bad things about voice, gesture and movement throughout the play.
Was it a successful production? Did it work for you? Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?
Why do you think we should see a play like this?

25. Chapter 1 & 2 Quiz - The Great Gatsby
Who is the narrator of our story?
What type of character/man is Tom? Use two adjectives to describe him.
What is Jordan Baker’s career?
Why are the phone calls that interrupt dinner so bothersome?
What is the difference in West Egg and East Egg?

26. Chapter 1 & 2 Quiz - The Great Gatsby
Describe the Valley of Ashes using two adjectives.
Who does Tom take Nick to meet in this chapter? What is this character’s relation to Tom?
What type of person/character is Myrtle? What do her actions say about her?
What reason does Catherine, Myrtle’s sister, give Nick for why Tom and Myrtle aren’t married?
What do Tom and Myrtle argue about? What does Tom do as a result of his anger?

27. Gatsby’s Parties - December 12
In this next chapter we will finally get to meet the mysterious Mr. Gatsby.
What are your impressions of his character so far?
What type of person do you think he is?
Imagine you are invited to one of his elaborate parties. What do you see there?
Describe in detail what you think one of his parties will look like? What type of food will he have? What type of people will be there? What type of entertainment will he have?

28. The Flapper - Discussion Questions
Read and annotate the poem for imagery, tone, theme, etc.
What are Dorothy Parker’s thoughts on flappers based on her tone and voice in this poem? Does she approve or disapprove? How do you know?
Choose two lines from the poem. One that you think clearly represents Myrtle’s character and one that you think clearly represents Daisy’s character. Be ready to justify your answer.
Does this poem promote a positive or negative view of the women known as “flappers” and which line in the poem helps you make your conclusion?

29. Symbol - The Automobile (pg. 39 & 53-54)

30. Chapter 3 Journal Responses - December 12
Choose 2 questions. Answer EACH in at least a well-written paragraph.
How is the party in Chapter 2 different from the party in Chapter 3? How is it similar?
What was your impression of Jay Gatsby? Give specific examples from the text to support your answer.
Gatsby receives a message from his butler that “Chicago was calling him on the wire.” Based on any prior knowledge of Chicago and the 1920s, what might you assume about Gatsby? Why might readers infer this?
Describe the meeting between Nick and Gatsby. Comment on Fitzgerald’s skill in preparing for Gatsby’s entrance into the story.

31. Agree or Disagree - December 15
Agree or disagree with the following statements and explain your reasoning.
“Clothes make the man.”
“It’s better to have second hand diamonds than none at all.”
“You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

32. Issues/Concerns - The Great Gatsby
Using the notecard I just gave you, please identify any issues/concerns/or questions you may have about The Great Gatsby.
Please list things you do not understand.
Ask any questions that you might still have about the text.
List events, characters, symbols that you do not understand.

33. Chapter 4 Journal Response Questions - December 15
Choose 2 questions. Answer EACH in at least a well-written paragraph.
Explain what happened with their relationship after Gatsby and Daisy met.
Explain in detail what Gatsby tells Nick about his life.
What is your impression of the kind of person Mr. Wolfsheim is? What context clues allow you to make your conclusion about him?
When Gatsby spoke to Jordan in his library in Chapter 3, he had devised a plan involving Nick. What was it? Why did he not ask Nick directly?

34. Exit Ticket - Irony in The Great Gatsby
Define Irony.
Explain how Jordan’s comment about large parties is ironic. She says, “And I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy.”
How might Jordan really be correct in what she says about small and large parties?

35. Illegal Money - December 16
Agree or disagree with the following statement, explain your reasoning, and explain how the statement relates to the novel.
“When one comes into wealth illegally, he or she is very likely to pay for it in the end.”

36. Character Analysis - Nick Carraway
Analyze the importance of Nick’s character by answering the following questions.
What would we lose if the story were not told from Nick’s first person narrative? How does this benefit us?
How does Nick react to the lifestyles of those around him? (Tom, Daisy, Gatsby)

37. Chapter 5 Journal Response Questions - December 16
Choose 2 questions. Answer EACH in at least a well-written paragraph.
Gatsby’s actions in preparing for Daisy’s arrival seem flamboyant and absurd. What does he do? Why do you think he does this?
Describe Daisy’s reactions during the course of her meeting with Gatsby. What does this say about what she is feeling?
What are Gatsby’s feelings by the end of the chapter? Gatsby’s dreams seem to be fulfilled; however, there are indicators that reality simply cannot satisfy his dreams. What are these indicators? How do you know?
Has Nick been affected by the meeting between Gatsby and Daisy? How do you know? In what way?

38. Mind Map - Compare & Contrast of Major Characters
On the open mind diagram I have given you, it is your task to compare and contrast two of the following characters listed below. You are to search the text, find and write direct quotes for each character that shows their good and bad character traits, goals, hopes, conflicts, and any obstacles they may face. You must have at least six direct quotes for each character.
Daisy & Myrtle
Tom & Gatsby
Nick & Jordan

39. Old Money vs. New Money - December 17
Agree or disagree, explaining your reasoning in detail, with the following statement:
There is no difference between a family that has been wealthy for generations and one which was poor until just recently. (Old money vs. New money)

40. Chapter 6 Journal Response Questions - December 17
Choose 2 questions. Answer EACH in at least a well-written paragraph.
Why does Tom attend Gatsby’s party? How does this scene reveal the contrast between Tom and Gatsby?
More of Gatsby’s past is revealed in this chapter. It is effective that the truth is revealed after we have seen Gatsby’s present wealthy lifestyle, for it shows how Gatsby came to live in such a glamorous illusion. What truths do we learn about Gatsby in this chapter? How does this affect the reader's view of him?
In what way was Dan Cody involved in Gatsby’s destiny? What did Dan Cody do for Gatsby?
What is Daisy’s opinion of Gatsby’s party? How does this affect him? What is Tom’s opinion of Gatsby’s party?

41. The Great Gatsby True or False Quiz
Daisy’s nose is broken at the end of chapter 2.

42. The Great Gatsby True or False Quiz
2. Nick lives in East Egg.

43. The Great Gatsby True of False Quiz
3. George owns a car repair shop.

44. The Great Gatsby True or False Quiz
4. Jordan Baker, whom Nick meets at Tom and Daisy’s, is a professional tennis player.

45. The Great Gatsby True or False Quiz
5. The Great Gatsby is set during The Great Depression.

46. The Great Gatsby True or False Quiz
6. The Great Gatsby is narrated in the first person perspective of Nick Carraway.

47. The Great Gatsby True of False Quiz
7. Nick Carraway works in the bond business.

48. The Great Gatsby True or False Quiz
8. Jordan asks Nick, on the behalf of Gatsby, to invite Daisy over for tea.

49. The Great Gatsby True or False Quiz
9. Myrtle Wilson is Nick’s girlfriend.

50. The Great Gatsby True or False Quiz
10. The Valley of Ashes symbolizes desolation, ruin, gloom, and despair.

51. Gatsby’s Fate - December 18
Make a prediction for what you believe Gatsby’s future holds.
Why do you feel this way?
What do you think will become of him and Daisy?
What do you think will happen with Nick and Jordan?

52. Character Analysis - Jay Gatsby or James Gatz
How is the character of Jay Gatsby presented to the reader?
Is Jay Gatsby really great? What is the meaning of the title? In what way is Gatsby great? In other words, is Fitzgerald’s title sincere or ironic? Explain.

53. New Year’s Resolution & Goals - January 5
What goals are you making for yourself for 2015?
Looking forward to your senior year, what plans do you have and what goals have set as far as your education and future are concerned?
Do you feel that you have succeeded in my class like you hoped to at the beginning of the year? Please explain.
Make one new goal for 2015 and explain it in detail.

54. Chapter 8 Journal Response Questions - January 5
Choose 2 questions. Answer EACH in at least a well-written paragraph.
How does Wilson view the “eyes of Doctor E.J. Eckleburg”? Does Wilson’s statement have a symbolic level for the novel as a whole? Explain.
At the beginning of the chapter, the story is interrupted at its most dramatic point. What’s the author’s purpose in breaking the story here? Explain.
As Nick leaves Gatsby the morning after the accident, he remarks, “They’re a rotten crowd.” Explain the people that the “they” refers to and why are they rotten?
How does Nick compliment Gatsby and what is Gatsby’s reaction? Why is it important that Nick thank Gatsby?