Irodalom | Középiskola » F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby Notes

The Great Gatsby Unit Packet F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Great Gatsby Notes About the Author: • Born- • Died- • Married • Famous works include The Great Gatsby; The Beautiful and the Damned; This Side of Paradise Influence to Society: • Fitzgerald named the 1920’s “ ” • Wrote screenplays for • Created the The Great Gatsby which is said to be the most accurate description of the The Jazz Age: • was in effect • Dances such as the were popular • Popular sayings included 23 Skidoo, Bee’s Knees • Economy was in a “ ” The Flappers: • were women who rebelled against the fashion and social norms of the early 1900’s. • They married at a later age and drank and smoked in public • Flappers were known for their

. Characters in The Great Gatsby • - The self-made wealthy man who lives next door to Nick Carraway and loves Daisy Buchanan. • - the narrator, Daisy’s cousin, Gatsby’s neighbor • - married to Tom, Gatsby’s love interest before the war, socialite • - Daisy’s husband, has an affair with Myrtle • - Tom’s woman in the city, married to George • - owns the gas station • - Daisy’s friend, professional golfer Settings in The Great Gatsby: • - where Nick and Gatsby live, represents new money • - where Daisy lives, the more fashionable area, represents old money • The City- , where the characters escape to for work and play • The - between the City and West Egg,

where Wilson’s gas station is Old Money vs. New Money: • MoneySomeone who has achieved the American Dream; Not as respected in the 1920’s • MoneyMoney from family wealth; Born rich; Not earned through work done by yourself; Respected above all in the 1920’s Symbols: • - at the end of Daisy’s dock and visible from Gatsby’s mansion. Represents Gatsbys hopes and dreams about Daisy. • - the area between West Egg and New York City. It is a desolate area filled with industrial waste. It represents the social and moral decay of society during the 1920’s It also shows the negative effects of greed • - A decaying billboard in the Valley of Ashes with eyes advertising an optometrist. There are multiple proposed meanings, including the representation of God’s moral judgment on society F. Scott FitzgeraldA&E Biography 1.

What university did Fitzgerald enter in 1913? 2. What problem started for Fitzgerald while he attended college? 3. What was the name of Fitzgerald’s wife? 4. What was the name of his first novel? 1 5. Why was his first novel so popular? 6. What name did Fitzgerald give to the 1920’s? 7. While still living in NYC, what crazy thing did Fitzgerald and his wife do down a street? 8. What was the name of Fitzgerald’s second novel? 9. Where did the Fitzgerald’s move to in 1924? 10. Which novel did he think would be his “great masterpiece”? 11. What famous author envied Fitzgerald’s style of writing? 12. What happened to Fitzgerald’s wife around the age of 28? 13. What was the name of the only movie where he was given screen credit in 1937? 14. What was the name of the last and unfinished novel that Fitzgerald wrote? 15. In what decade was Fitzgerald’s work rediscovered, which led to him being named one of the best American authors of all time?

Anticipation Guide Directions: State whether you agree or disagree with each statement and why you think so. 1. Very wealthy people are shallow 2. It is possible to fix mistakes and to revisit happiness had long ago. 3. Alcohol should be illegal. 4. Excess leads to moral corruption. 5. People should be sure prospective spouses can financially support them before getting married. 6. It is possible to gain friends by impressing them with your belongings. 7. If you want something bad enough, you can always attain it. 8. Most things you strive for turn out to be as good as you expected once you get them. 9. Other people’s opinions of you are very important. 1. What purpose do the first four paragraphs serve? 2. What advice does Nick’s father give him? Why does Fitzgerald have Nick share his father’s advice with the reader? 3. What does the statement “When I came back from the East last autumn.” tell you about the story to follow? 4. What importance is there

in Nick’s statement that “My family have been prominent, well-to-do peoplefor three generations”? 5. What is the setting of the story? 6. How is West Egg different from East Egg? 7. What is the relationship between Nick and Daisy and Tom Buchanan? 8. Explain the imagery that Fitzgerald uses to make the Buchanan palace seem alive. CHAPTER ONE 2 9. Describe Tom Buchanan. What tone does the author use in his description? 10. Who is the other person in the Buchanan home? 11. What annoys Nick about Tom’s response to Nick’s employment? 12. What unflattering feature of Jordan Baker’s personality is revealed? 13. Why is Nick’s instinct “to telephone immediately for the police”? 14. What is the reader left to think about Daisy’s emotional state and her relationship with Tom? 15. What did Daisy mean when she said of Pammy, “I’m glad it’s a girl And I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little

fool.” 16. When Nick starts the engine of his car, Daisy stops him by making the statement, “We heard you were engaged to a girl out West” What does Nick’s answer reveal about his character? 17. As Nick drives away from their house, he experiences a number of conflicting emotions Why does he feel touched? Why does he feel confused and disgusted? 18. The green light that Gatsby is staring at is mentioned several more times and assumes symbolic significance Where do you think the green light might be? What can it mean? Chapter 1 Activity Direct characterization – The author TELLS the audience what the character’s personality is. EX: She is a caring, kind, and compassionate woman. Indirect Characterization – The author SHOWS the audience the character’s personality through the character’s speech, thought, actions, appearance, or relationship to others. EX: “The woman was known for gossiping about her “so called” friends one minute and then acting kind to these

people the next minute.” Through this quote, we can infer this woman is a hypocrite. PART ONE: Characterization Directions – Find one example indirect characterization (shows things that reveal the personality of a character). Explain specifically an action, thought, relationship, appearance, or something said that illustrates the character’s personality. • Nick – • Daisy – • Tom – • Jordan – PART TWO: Imagery (description that appeals to one or more of the five senses) Directions – Find 2 quotes in chapter 1 that portray imagery. Write down the quote and page number Describe which sense Fitzgerald is appealing to for each one and explain how so QUOTE 1 – QUOTE 1 EXPLANATION – QUOTE 2 – QUOTE 2 EXPLANATION – 3 1. CHAPTER TWO On a literal level, what is the valley of ashes? What might it represent on a symbolic level? 2. What overlooks the valley of ashes? What might they symbolize? 3. Contrast Daisy with Myrtle, Tom’s mistress. 4.

Analyze Nick’s statement “I think he’d tanked up a good deal at luncheon, and his determination to have my company bordered on violence.” 5. Myrtle says of her sister, “She’s said to be very beautiful by people who ought to know.” What does this statement say about society? 6. In what way is the party in the apartment different from the dinner at the Buchanan’s in Chapter 1? In what way is it similar? 7. The McKees appear only in chapter 2. Why does Fitzgerald bring them into the story? 8. What rumor does Nick hear about Gatsby? 9. Although Catherine comments that neither Tom nor Myrtle care about the one they married, how does the reader know that that isn’t true? 10. What seems to be the feeling towards divorce in the 1920s? Chapters 1-2 Comprehension Activities Chapter 1 Below, summarize the events of Chapter 1 in three sentences. Below, list the characters you meet in Chapter 1 and give a brief description of each, including your initial impression

Chapter 2 Below, summarize the events of Chapter 2 in three sentences. Below, list the characters you meet in Chapter 2 and give a brief description of each, including your initial impression. You are not required to include Myrtle’s friends. Making the connection Find three things you’ve read about that reflect the concept of materialism and emptiness? Include at least one specific reference for support. 4 CHAPTER THREE 1. What is the setting for Chapter 3? 2. In what ways is chapter 2 like chapter 3? 3. Why is it that Fitzgerald waits until chapter III to introduce Gatsby? 4. What does Nick’s twice insisting that he had “actually been invited” suggest? 5. Nick comments that the people at the party conduct “themselves according to the rules of behavior associated with an amusement park.” Analyze what is being conveyed by the comparison 6. What metaphor does Fitzgerald use to convey the theme of hollowness in the upper class? 7. What do Gatsby and

Nick have in common? 8. Although there are many rumors regarding Gatsby, there is a clue given to the reader about what the nature of Gatsby’s work may be. What is the clue? What might it indicate is his work? 9. In what way is Gatsby’s behavior at his party quite unlike the behavior of most of his guests? 10. What is the significance of the phone calls that Gatsby receives? How does it add to the development of his character? What does the lack of calls to Buchanan demonstrate? 11. In the final paragraph on page 60, how does the viewpoint change? How is this accomplished? What is the purpose? 12. What purpose does the character of Jordan Baker fulfill? 13. What is the second ugly character flaw revealed about Jordan? How does this affect the reader? 14. What is revealed about Nick’s character? Rumors Activity Directions: Read pages 43-44. Write down three of the rumors discussed about Gatsby RUMOR ONE – RUMOR TWO – RUMOR THREE – • What does this show about his

presence in society? • Make your own rumor. What do you think about Gatsby? Concept Analysis Look at the following major concepts from the text. Explain how the concept is seen so far in the book with specific examples 1. The emptiness of wealth/the upper class 2. Excess and moral corruption 3. The decline of the American Dream 4. The desire to revisit the past 5. Idealization and disappointment 6. Striving for something out of your reach 5 CHAPTER FOUR 1. What is the significance of the date on the timetable? 2. What symbol does Fitzgerald use as the outward manifestation of Gatsby’s wealth? What theme does this reinforce? 3. Describe Gatsby’s car. 4. What causes Nick to think that Gatsby cannot be telling the truth? What changes his mind? 5. Gatsby fills Nick in on the details of his life for what reason? 6. Where do Gatsby and Nick go for lunch? Whom do they meet? 7. Analyze the techniques used to develop the character of Wolfsheim. 8. What

do the characters of Buchanan and Wolfsheim represent? 9. Explain Gatsby’s statement: “Miss Baker’s a great sportswoman, you know, and she’d never do anything that wasn’t all right.” 10. What matter does Jordan speak to Nick about? How does she know this information? 11. Jordan informs the reader that Daisy was 18 when she and Gatsby consummated their love What significance does her age have? 12. Why is Daisy so upset on her wedding day? 13. Why is it important to Gatsby that Daisy see his house? 14. What overall purpose do the three events in chapter 4 accomplish? 1. CHAPTER FIVE When Nick comes home to West Egg that night, what does he find unusual? How does this description contribute to the mood? 2. How does Gatsby show that he is grateful to Nick for his agreeing to call Daisy? 3. Throughout Chapter V, how does Fitzgerald use weather to reinforce the mood? On the morning of the meeting, the climax of this part of the story, it is pouring. 4. How does

Daisy’s agreeing to come to Nick’s house without Tom contribute to the theme of changing moral values? 5. How does Fitzgerald show the changes in Gatsby? 6. What literary purpose does the broken clock serve? 7. What changes take place in Gatsby during Daisy’s visit? 8. Analyze the passage “He had been full of the idea so long, dreamed it right through to the end, waited with his teeth set, so to speak, at an inconceivable pitch of intensity. Now, in the reaction, he was running down like an overwound clock” 9. Why does Daisy cry about the shirts? 10. As the three of them look across the bay toward Daisy’s house, the narrator states, “Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever. Compared to the great distance that had separated him from Daisy, it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her. It had seemed as close as a star to the moon Now it was again a green light on a dock His count of enchanted

objects had diminished by one.” What does Fitzgerald mean by: A. “Compared to the great distance” between Gatsby and Daisy? B. “Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one” 11. Explain the statement, “Daisy tumbled short of his dreams” 12. Who is the protagonist: Gatsby or Nick? 6 Chapters 4-5 Activity Write down an example and provide a quote that supports this example. Things that make Gatsby believable/trustworthy 1. Things that make you question Gatsby 1. 2. 2. 3. 4. 1. In what business is Mr. Wolfsheim? How do you know? 2. Describe the circumstances surrounding Daisy’s relationship with Gatsby, and her marriage to Tom. Why might this story not be entirely true? 3. If Gatsby bought the house across the bay from Daisy, how does this support the idea of using material possessions to fill emptiness? 4. What is the significance of the green light? 5. Regarding the green light, Nick says “His count

of enchanted objects had diminished by one (Fitzgerald 93)” Also, Nick says of Daisy, I saw that the expression of bewilderment had come back into Gatsby’s face, as though a faint doubt had occurred to him as to the quality of his present happinessDaisy tumbled short of his dreamsno through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion. (95) To what disappointing truth of life does this observation address? What examples might also evoke this sort of feeling in contemporary American society? Chapter 5 Activity Chapter IV ends with the story of Daisy’s romances and marriage. In Chapter V, Daisy and Gatsby are reunited DIRECTIONS – Imagine that Daisy calls Jordan when she returns home. Compose a poem about what was said The poem does not have to rhyme, although it certainly may. The contents of the poem will depend on how you interpret the discussion and meeting between Gatsby and Daisy In the chapter, Fitzgerald allows for many interpretations of their

meeting. See if your poem can deal with the significance of Daisy’s crying over Gatsby’s shirts, the meaning of Gatsby knowing how long it has been since had last seen Daisy, Daisy’s comments about the clouds, or, possibly, the implied conversation after Nick leaves. Requirements • Needs to be complete sentences • Must fill in all of the lines below • The style should reflect that of Daisy. Think about how she speaks, behaves, etc Make predictions as if you know exactly what happens.



7 CHAPTER SIX 1. What is the purpose of chapter VI? 2. In what sense does this chapter epitomize the American dream? 3. Who is Jay Gatsby? 4. How long was Gatsby employed by Cody? 5. Why does Gatsby not drink? 6. Describe Tom’s first visit to Gatsby’s home. 7. Knowing Tom, how can one account for his comment about being “old-fashioned” and “women running around too much these days to suit [him]”? 8. What does the word choice “menagerie” help Fitzgerald convey? 9. Explain Gatsby’s expectations of Daisy. Are they

realistic? Truth or Rumor? DIRECTIONS – Mark whether the following are rumor or truth. If truth, say whether Nick tells us it as truth, or Gatsby says it’s truth 1. Gatsby inherited money from his deceased family 2. Gatsby murdered a man 3. Gatsby was known as a German spy 4. Gatsby was in the World War 5. Gatsby inherited some money from Dan Cody 6. Gatsby went to Oxford 7. Gatsby doesn’t drink because of Dan Cody 1. CHAPTER SEVEN Identify and explain the personification in the second paragraph at the beginning of chapter VII. 2. What foreshadows trouble at the Gatsby mansion? 3. Why did Gatsby replace his servants? 4. What is the meaning of Gatsby’s statement to Tom, “I’m right across from you”? 5. What does Daisy mean when she says “everything’s so confused”? 6. What alerts Tom that his wife has other interests? What is Tom’s response? 7. Interpret the metaphor “Her voice is full of money.” 8. Tom insists on driving Gatsby’s car. Why? How

does Daisy respond? How does Gatsby respond? 9. Does Tom like Gatsby’s car? Why or why not? 10. What causes Mr Wilson’s sickness? 11. Why do you suppose that Tom decides to let Wilson finally have the car he has been promising him? 12. How does the news about the Wilson’s leaving affect Tom? 13. Who sees Tom driving the yellow car besides Mr Wilson? What is their response? 14. What do Tom and Wilson have in common? How does each respond? 15. What is Gatsby’s explanation of his being at Oxford? Why is it important to Tom to expose the Oxford-man lie? 8 16. When Gatsby confronts Tom with the comments “Your wife doesn’t love you She’s never loved you She loves me” What is Gatsby’s meaning? 17. What is Tom’s response to his wife’s infidelity? 18. Describe the emotions that Daisy goes through as Tom and Gatsby argue 19. How has Gatsby gotten some of his money? What does Tom say that startles Gatsby? 20. What is the outcome of the argument in the hotel room? 21.

Analyze the statement “So we drove on toward death through the cooling twilight” 22. How does Myrtle die? 23. Why is Myrtle running out of the garage towards the car? 24. How do Tom, Jordan, and Nick find out about the accident? 25. What is Wilson’s response to Myrtle’s death? Tom’s response? Gatsby’s response? 26. Why does Gatsby loiter outside of the Buchanans’ house? How does Fitzgerald let the reader know there is nothing for Gatsby to wait for? Quote Analysis DIRECTIONS – Write down BOTH the context of the quote (what’s happening) and explain the significance (theme, symbol, plot development, etc.) 1. “Their eyes met, and they stared together at each other, alone in space. With an effort she glanced down at the table She had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw” (119). 2. “Over the ash heaps the giant eyes of Doctor T. J Eckleburg kept their vigil but I perceived, after a moment, that other eyes were regarding us with peculiar intensity

from less than twenty feet away” (124). 3. “’What kind of a row are you trying to cause in my house anyhow?’ They were out in the open at last and Gatsby was content” (129). 4. “’Your wife doesn’t love you. She’s never loved you She loves me’ ‘She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me” (130). 5. “’Once in a while I go off on a spree and make a fool of myself, but I always come back, and in my heart I love her all the time’” (131). 6. “’Oh, you want too much!’ ‘I love you now – isn’t that enough? I can’t help what’s past’” (132). 7. “It passed, and he began to talk excitedly to Daisy, denying everything, defending his name against accusations that had not been made. But with every word she was drawing further and further into herself . “ (134) 8. “ ‘Won’t you come in, Nick?.It’s only half-past nine,’ she said I’d be damned if I’d go in; I’d had enough of all of them

for one day, and suddenly that included too” (142). 9 1. CHAPTER EIGHT Interpret the simile “’Jay Gatsby’ had broken up like glass against Tom’s hard malice” 2. Summarize the beginning of Daisy and Gatsby’s relationship, five years ago. 3. Why does Daisy give up on Gatsby? How does Gatsby learn of the relationship between Daisy and Tom? 4. In general, what is Nick’s attitude toward Gatsby? 5. What does Jordan do the morning following the accident? 6. What clues give Wilson the idea there is another man? 7. What conclusion does Wilson come to regarding his wife’s death? 8. Whom does Wilson associate with the yellow car? 9. Where does Wilson spend the day following Myrtle’s death? 10. Where do you think Wilson gets the information to track the car to Gatsby? Use evidence from the text 11. How is Gatsby’s body discovered? 12. Why does no one find Gatsby earlier? 13. What do you suspect happened to Wilson? Gatsby as a Symbol In the early part of

the twentieth century, people realized and lost the American Dream. It motivated people’s actions and led to their downfalls Writers of this time wrote about the American Dream, and, almost always, the outcome was dismal. Directions – using your knowledge of the American Dream, answer the following questions. 1. How does Gatsby represent the American Dream? 2. How does Gatsby represent the American Dream gone awry? 3. How does Gatsby represent hope? 4. How does Gatsby represent failure? Constructed Response Complete a constructed response for the following question: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Why or why not? “The death of Jay Gatsby confirms what we already secretly knew: that the American Dream is nothing but the hope that sustains the hopeless.” Make sure to provide a QUOTE/SPECIFIC EXAMPLE from the test that supports your answer. Structure = ANSWER  EXPLAIN ANSWER  EVIDENCE  EXPLAIN EVIDENCE 10 CHAPTER NINE 1. How does

Catherine respond during the trial? 2. Why is it important to Catherine that her story seem true? 3. When it is time for the funeral, what becomes of Gatsby’s friends? 4. Describe Gatsby’s father. 5. Where is Gatsby buried? 6. What is Nick’s fantastic dream? How does Nick view the East? 7. What becomes of Jordan and Nick’s relationship? 8. When does Nick head west? 9. Describe Nick and Tom’s final meeting. 10. Summarize the final message of the epilogue Chapter 8 and 9 Quote Analysis DIRECTIONS – Write down BOTH the context of the quote (what’s happening) and explain the significance (theme, symbol, plot development, etc.) REMEMBER – ANALYSIS GOES BEYOND PLOT SUMMARY. If you simply provide the plot summary/interpretation you will receive a 0 1. “He wouldn’t consider it. He couldn’t possibly leave Daisy until he knew what she was going to do He was clutching at some last hope and couldn’t bear to shake him free.” (148) 2. “We shook hands

and I started away. Just before I reached the hedge I remembered something and turned around ‘They’re a rotten crowd,’ I shouted across the lawn. ‘You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together’” (154) 3. “and I said ‘God knows what you’ve been doing, everything you’ve been doing. You may fool me, but you can’t fool God!’” (159) 4. “I have an idea that Gatsby himself didn’t believe it would come, and perhaps he no longer cared. If that was true he must have felt that he had lost the old warm world, paid a high price for living too long with a single dream.” (161) 11 5. “’Go on!’ He started. “Why, my God! They used to go there by the hundreds’ He took off his glasses and wiped them again, outside and in. ‘The poor son-of-a-bitch,’ he said” (175) 6. “They were careless people, Tom and Daisythey smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept

them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made” (179) 7. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no mattertomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms fartherAnd one fine morningso we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” (180) Bio Poem DIRECTIONS – Create a bio poem for ONE character in the novel. Follow the structure below Write your poem in the box Line 1: First Name (character) Line 2: Four traits that describe character Line 3: Relative/Friend (brother, sister, daughter, etc) of Line 4: Lover of (List 3 things or people) Line 5: Who feels (3 items) Line 6: Who needs (3 items) Line 7: Who fears (3 items) Line 8: Who gives (3 items) Line 9: Who would like to see (3 items) Line 10: Resident of

Line 11: Last Name (character) 12 Character Theme Songs Your task is to identify a musical composition that you think best represents different characters of your choice from The Great Gatsby. You may pair characters up if the song applies to multiple people, but each entry must be a different song. Please complete the form below Name of Character: Title and Artist of Song: Why you chose this song for this character (4 sentences explaining SIGNIFICANCE of this song to this character): Name of Character: Title and Artist of Song: Why you chose this song for this character (4 sentences explaining SIGNIFICANCE of this song to this character): Name of Character: Title and Artist of Song: Why you chose this song for this character (4 sentences explaining SIGNIFICANCE of this song to this character): Name of Character: Title and Artist of Song: Why you chose this song for this character (4 sentences explaining SIGNIFICANCE of this song to this character): Name of Character:

Title and Artist of Song: Why you chose this song for this character (4 sentences explaining SIGNIFICANCE of this song to this character): *Choose one song that represents the novel as a whole and explain WHY in 2-3 sentences. 13