UNIT: THE GREAT

GATSBY
BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD

Ø Analyze the culture Ø Introduction of the novel

• Themes • Setting (time & place)
• Characters • Chapter 1 Summary
Ø Who is the Author?

Ms. Megan O’Reilly

English
Grade 11
 Objectives and Content Standards
Objectives California Content
■ Summarize the first chapter of the
novel with ease. Standards
■ Recognize what time period the novel is § RI. 11-12.7
based upon. § RI. 11-12.1
■ Begin to analyze each theme given. § L. 11-12.6
■ Develop personal ideas and questions in § RL. 11-12.2
relation to novel.
 Short Clip

■ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtPkzqXKhQQ
■ As you watch this video pay attention to the guided notes.
 The 1920s-The Jazz Age
Main Events
■ Law passed for women to vote August 1920
■ Prohibition had just began
■ Stock Market crashed in October 1929
Pop Culture
§ Louis Armstrong began playing Jazz in
1922.
§ A new dance craze called the Charleston
surface in 1925. (00:43- 02:05)
§ Mickey Mouse appeared on Steamboat
Willie in 1929.
The 1920s-Visuals
 Lets Engage Group Discussion

I want you to think about what aspects of the 1920s that you have just learned about and
then answer the question below and write it on your guided notes.

■ In your own opinion, do you believe that there are still some aspects of life in the 1920s
that might be similar to now? Explain.
 F. Scott Fitzgerald
“Genius is to put into effect what is on your mind”
- F. Scott Fitzgerald

■ Full name: Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald

■ Born September 24, 1896– Died December 21, 1940
■ Married Zelda Sayre during the 1920s, with whom he
had a daughter with.
■ Wrote The Great Gatsby in 1925
 Themes
■ The American Dream
■ Home
■ Honesty
■ Money/ Materialism
■ Life and Death
■ Love
■ The Past
Character: Jay Gatsby
■ Jay Gatsby lives next door to Nick Carraway and
is extravagantly wealthy.
■ There are many aspects of his life which are left
secret.
■ Even at his own parties, he is the subject of
rumors and speculation.
■ His single dream, for which he has amassed all his
wealth, is to win back the love of Daisy.
■ His desire to relive the past is his undoing.
Character: Nick Carraway
■ Nick, just returned from WWI, moves from
the Midwest to the East to get into the bond
market.
■ He finds himself living among the wealthy on
Long Island where he reacquaints himself
with his cousin Daisy and begins a love
interest with Jordan.
■ He lives next door to Jay Gatsby.
■ His close proximity with Gatsby brings him
between Gatsby’s relationships and life.
Character: Daisy Buchanan
■ Daisy Buchanan and her husband are
unhappily married—but rich.
■ She had a relationship with Gatsby before
her marriage.
■ She is the major influence behind of all of
Gatsby’s choices
■ Her husband Tom is having an affair with
Myrtle Wilson, a married woman.
 Characters
§ Tom Buchanan § Myrtle Wilson § Jordan Baker
- Husband to Daisy - Lives in the ”Valley of - Professional golfer
- Cheats on his wife with Ashes” with her - Nicks love interest
another woman
husband George. - Daisy’s close friend
- Comes from old money
- Tom’s mistress
§ George Wilson § Mayer Wolfshiem
- Married to Myrtle - Business partner of
- The cause of Gatsby
something terrible in - Introduced Nick to
Gatsby’s life. him
 Character Map
*Look at guided notes

Daisy
Tom - Object of Gatsby's
- Outspoken man Married desires
-Old money -Represents the
elite social class

Nick
Myrtle
- Narrator
- Married lover of Tom
- Happens to
- Represents the lower follow whatever
class Gatsby everyone else
- Wealthy business does
man
-Goal in life is to be
with Daisy

George
- Runs a garage and Jordan
gas station -Pro Golfer
- Husband of Myrtle -Questionable
Integrity
 Setting: New York
■ New York State
■ The East and West Eggs
– fictionalized peninsulas on Long Island
Sound
■ East Egg
– representative of “old money”; Tom and
Daisy live here
■ West Egg
– the newly rich live here
– not quite accepted into the folds of the old
moneyed; Gatsby’s mansion is here and Nicks
cottage
 Setting: Gatsby’s Mansion
■ Gatsby’s mansion: set on 40 acres; colossal, flashy, garish
■ Symbolic of Gatsby’s success and the “American Dream”
■ Also symbolic of the hollowness of money, success
■ Serves as Gatsby’s lure for Daisy
 Chapter 1: Beginning
■ Who do we meet first?
Nick Carraway
- He introduced himself as the author of the story and gives a brief introduction of
himself.
- Spoke a few words on who Gatsby is as a character, “gorgeous” being a describing term
for his personality.
- Nick lives in the West Egg on the same plot of land as Gatsby, he mentions the liveliness
of the house.
 Chapter 1: Dinner Party
■ We see nick visit his cousin Daisy in East Egg.
■ Although Nick has many connections in the East Egg he decided to live in West Egg with
Gatsby.
■ During the dinner he meets Jordan Baker, the Pro golfer.
■ While all in conversation Tom leaves in a hurry for a call, Jordan tells Nick it’s the
mistress.
■ Tom and Daisy make it obvious that they would like Nick and Jordan to date.
■ After the party Nick heads home and finally sees Gatsby, staring at the green light
opposite the shore.
 Chapter 1: Symbol
■ The Green Light
We see the green light at the end of chapter 1.
Represents Gatsby's hope for the future.
Gatsby reaches for something which is unattainable
 Lets Engage
This far we have learned about the author, met multiple characters, and we have learned
where they live. Now it’s a chance to test your knowledge!
1. Download Kahoot from the App store

2. Enter Pin 0770293

3. Please put your full name.

*Hyperlinked
Activities
Now that we have fully expanded our minds on the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald its time to test your
understanding of the material.
Activity 1: Activity 2:
■ Get in groups of 4 On your own I would like for you to go back to
■ Each group member must make 1 question– the PowerPoint and find one area of the novel
resulting in a total of 4 which you are unsure about or would like a
■ Answer the questions clearer explanation.
■ Be prepared to share with the class Once done you will pair up with a partner and I
(These questions can relate back to the would like you to work on it together to make it
chapter that we have just covered or any more understandable. Make a note of what you
thing which I mentioned in this do not understand on the guided notes and then
PowerPoint. ) make another note of how you were finally able
to make sense of it