Unit Title: History Within Literature

Name:

Content Area: English

Grade Level: 11-12

CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):

R.I. #1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text,
including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
R.I. #2: Determine two or more central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build
on one another to provide a complex analysis; provide an objective summary of the text.
R.I. #3: Analyze a complex set of ideas or sequence of events and explain how specific individuals, ideas, or events interact and develop over the
course of the text.
R.I. #9: Analyze seventeenth, eighteenth-, and nineteenth-century foundational U.S. documents of historical and literary significance (including The
Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and Lincolns Second Inaugural Address) for their themes, purposes,
and rhetorical features.
Writing Standard #2 a-f: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately
through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

The Great Gatsby:

http://www.pbs.org/food/the-history-kitchen/great-gatsby-prohibition-fitzgerald/
1. What time period did F. Scott Fitzgerald refer to this era as?
2. What historic event had sparked the modern and exciting way of living?
3. What was the Prohibition Movement? Analyze and explain causes for this movement?
4. Explain the ironic correlation between the Prohibition Movement and Jay Gatsby
5. Tom Buchannan refers to Jay Gatsby as new money. Define this term and explain how it relates to

the American Dream.

The Grapes of Wrath: http://useconomy.about.com/od/grossdomesticproduct/p/1929_Depression.htm

1. What was the Great Depression?

2. What were Dust Bowls?
3. Examine and explain how the Great Depression and Dust Bowls affect the plot and characters in The
Grapes of Wrath.
4. Compare and contrast the society, historic event, and three characters from the Great Gatsby and The
Grapes of Wrath. (dont forget to use textual evidence)

The American Dream

http://useconomy.about.com/od/grossdomesticproduct/a/What-Is-The-American-Dream.htm

The Great Gatsby and Grapes of Wrath both are set in drastically contrasting time periods in America. Based on the
historical events that influenced these literatures, how would you define what meaning of the American dream is?
Elaborate and demonstrate with textual evidence on how society may perceive the American dream for each novel.
Also, explain if you believe the idea of the American dream has changed and/or still exists today.

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