The Great Gatsby

1. 3003.8.1–I can identify characteristics of the Modern and Contemporary Period. 3003.8.3—I can determine how the conflict in Gatsbyimpacts the characters. 3003.8.5—I can analyze characters to determine their roles/functions in Gatsby. 3003.8.16—I can identify specific symbols and passages of foreshadowing in Gatsby. The Great Gatsby Chapters 1-2 Discussions

2. Beginning Quote • “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one…just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had” (Fitzgerald 1). • Why do you think (through Nick’s narration) Fitzgerald stated this at the beginning of the book? • Establishes an optimism in Nick • Shows his compassion, tolerance, and reliability • Someone we can trust.

3. Chapter 1 • Characters • Nick Carraway – narrator of the story • Daisy Buchanan– Nick’s cousin • Tom Buchanan– Daisy’s husband and fellow Yale graduate of Nick’s

4. Chapter One • Characters • Jordan Baker – friend of Daisy, and eventually, a friend of Nick’s • Jay Gatsby – Nick’s mysterious next-door neighbor

5. Fitzgerald’s Allusion of Wealth (4) • Nick’s volume of books on finance • red and gold • new money from the mint (green) • Midas, Morgan, and Maecenas • Midaswas the legendary king who was granted his wish that everything he touch change to gold. Morganrefers to J. Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913), the famous New York financier. Maecenas was a wealthy Etruscan patron of the Roman poets Horace and Virgil. • All three are examples of Fitzgerald's fascination with wealth and the very wealthy. http://www.studyworld.com/studyworld_studynotes/great_gatsby/glossary.htm

6. Setting – Long Island West Egg East Egg Home of the “New Rich” Old bungalows next to large mansions The less fashionable to the two (5) Gatsby (war veteran) Nick (war veteran) Glittering white palaces Red colonials Old money that is well-groomed Polo Well-bred occupants/fashionable (5) Buchanans (spoiled; family money) Thinks he is well-read Valley of Ashes

7. Color as a Symbol • Red and gold • Houses at the fashionable East Egg (Georgian colonials) • Rosy colored porches (11) • Crimson room (17-foreshadowing to future bloodshed) • Described in golden light • Yellow hair (17) • Red gas pumps (20) • White • Houses at the fashionable East Egg (5) • White gleaming windows (8) • Ladies wearing white dresses (8) • Daisy’s name suggests white • Nordic race (Tom’ • Green • Ivy on the colossal affair (Gatsby’s house) • Fresh grass (8) • Black • “You did it, Tom” (12) • The Rise of the Colored Empires – Goddard (12) • Racist book, white-supremacy (Tom)

8. Relationships • Nick and Daisy • Nick and Tom • Daisy and Jordan • Daisy and Tom • Tom and girlfriend from NY • Gatsby and ? • Remember we haven’t been formally introduced to him yet • How are they connected? What can you foreshadow in this picture?

9. Chapter 2 Billboard that hovers • Characters • Tom • Nick • Dr. T. J. Eckleburg – oculist (optometrist, or ophthalmologist) • George Wilson – owner of an automobile repair shop, provider of gas, and husband of Myrtle (faintly handsome) • Myrtle – George’s wife and Tom’s mistress; mid 30s, faintly stout • Catherine – Myrtle’s sister (slender), worldly girl, 30s, sticky bob of red hair, Nick’s companion at Myrtle’s request • Mr. and Mrs. McKee – a couple who live in the hotel where Tom, Myrtle, and Nick go to a party (hate each other)

10. Setting • Chapter 1 – East Egg (old $) and West Egg (new $) • Chapter 2 – Valley of Ashes (worst) and New York • Wilson’s Garage • Morningside Heights Apartments (Love Shack) • Discuss the contrasts • Green (chapter 1) with the grayness of the valley • Green (envy, go, chasing dreams) • Gold (money, power, secrets) • Fitzgerald’s attempt to establish the rich and the poor

11. Steamy Affair “I want to see you…get on the train.” “All right!” “I’ll meet you by the news-stand…” • Relationships • George and Tom • Myrtle and Tom • Catherine and Nick • Mrs. McKee and Myrtle • Mr. McKee and Nick • How is Myrtle always able to get away? • How does Tom feel about George? • “He’s so dumb he doesn’t know he is alive” (26). • What is ironic about what Myrtle bought at the news-stand? • She bought a copy of the Town Tattle . • Do you wonder if she was going to find her name and/or picture in it?

12. Big PartyDouble LivesTerrible lies • Materialism evident • Transformation of Myrtle with every change of clothes • Lavish party with the introduction of Catherine and Mr. and Mrs. McKee • Small talk; McKee is looking to get into photographing the rich and famous • What do we learn about Gatsby (32)? • Subject of gossip • Not been introduced yet…Fitzgerald forges a sense of excitement here • Discuss Tom hitting Mrs. Wilson

13. Relevance Today • Which events in Chapters 1 and 2 are relevant to situations that people face today? • How would the outcomes of today differ from those in the text?

14. 3003.8.1 I can identify characteristics of the Modern and Contemporary Period. 3003.8.3 I can determine how the conflict of Gatsbyimpacts the characters. 3003.8.5 I can analyze characters to determine their roles/functions in Gatsby. 3003.8.16 I can identify specific symbols in Gatsby. Chapters 3-4 The Great Gatsby

15. Agree or Disagree • Dishonesty in a woman is a thing you never blame deeply (58). • Double Standard?

16. Characters • Chauffeur – wears robin’s egg blue • Stage Twins – women in yellow dresses; knew Jordan previously • Owl eyes – drunkard with large spectacles who sits in Gatsby’s library • He was “BROUGHT” by a woman named Roosevelt • Was in the car that hit the wall • Gatsby • German spy/killed a man • Introduced to him • Jordan – distrusting of Gatsby • Loves large parties (intimate) • Find out that she is dishonest • She is a rotten driver

17. “Conducted themselves according to the rules of behavior associated with an amusement park” (41)” Setting • Gatsby Jazz Party (All summer long) • Eight servants and a gardener (cleaning up the mess) • 5 crates of oranges and lemons (machine 200/hr) • Lights (Gatsby place looked like a Christmas tree) • Buffets “Harlequin designs” • Important people • Library – real books • Not a cardboard façade • Books are uncut though showing us that they are only for appearances Yellow Cocktail Music

18. How do the Gatsby parties compare to events/parties of today’s society?

19. Symbol: Automobile • Dominant symbol in Chapter 3 • Extreme wealth of the Rolls Royce—omnibus bearing people to and from the party • Green leather seats (64) • Parked five deep in the driveway • Car accident at the party with “Owl Eyes” (blames the mechanics) • Who was driving? • Foreshadowing??? • Jordan leaving a borrowed car unattended (57)

20. Symbol: Eyes • Owl Eyes • Possible repeated message of T. J. Eckleburg billboard sign? • Watching, spying, looking for something • We are witnessing all this through Nick’s eyes (narration) • We are seeing that Prohibition is not working for America • How do today’s teens treat rules? • Gatsby was standing on the marble steps over his guests in looking around in approval. • Guests – All eyes on Gatsby

21. Chapter 4 • Meyer Wolfsheim – a business connection of Gatsby’s who uses Gatsby as a front man; fixed the 1919 World Series; small flat-nosed Jew • Klipspringer – Gatsby’s boarder…seems like he lives there all the time • Gatsby – nephew to Von Hindenburg and second cousin to the devil

22. Gatsby Explained • Son of wealthy people in the Midwest (San Francisco???) • Inherited money • States he is Oxford educated • Worked his way around Europe • Live in all the capitals • Extravagant trips • WWI • Received a medal from “Little Montenegro” • For Valour Extraordinary • Picture from Oxford with his buddies • Tells him he is going to asks “huge” favor of him later on with Jordan • Wolfsheim says that Gatsby is one you want to take home to your mother or sister.

23. Wealth allusion again • Sunday morning party with lots of important names • Luncheon with Wolfsheim • Nick is getting closer to the truth of how Gatsby makes his money. • Gatsby gets pulled over by the cop • Money is power • Above the law

24. Symbol: Automobile Again • Gatsby’s car – gods chariot • Rich cream color and green leather conservatory (64) • Bright with nickel • Swollen here and there • Monstrous length • Triumphant hat boxes, supper boxes, tool boxes • Terraced with a labyrinth of windshields that mirrored a dozen suns • Fenders spread like wings as it drove through the valley of ashes • Daisy’s white roadster • Hearse • Limousine

25. Favor • What was the favor? • What do you foreshadow will happen? WWYD?

26. Chapter Summaries (TTH) • Chapter 3 • Chapter 4 • Chapter 5 • Chapter 6

27. Group Activity (3-6) • Each member must have a role in today’s activity. I will monitor this as I observe each group—points will go towards your 70-point participation grade for the unit. • Each group will have a chapter. • Members will focus on the following: • Characteristics of the time (min. 2) • Themes and symbols (min. 3) • Character traits, roles, and conflicts (variety) • One real world/relevant question to ask the class during your presentation • Chapter 2: Infidelity is a timeless act in literature and in the real world. What is the allure for someone that has it all to step outside a marriage and cheat on his/her spouse? • Impromptu performance of one small scene (no more than 3 minutes) • You will only have 15-20 minutes to work in your groups. Do not waste any time.

28. Closure: Presentations • Each member of the group will present a finding to share to the class. • Identify at least 2 characteristics of the time • Discuss at least 3 themes and/or symbols. • Discuss the main characters briefly from your chapter. • Discussion on the real-world or relevant question can only last 1-2 minutes per group. • Impromptu scene can only last 3 minutes.