Exploring 'The Great Gatsby': Themes, Characters, and Context

1. ‘The Great Gatsby’ – F Scott Fitzgerald Higher English Master PowerPoint

2. Lesson 1 Learning Intention Success Criteria Take notes in the historical and social context and relate this to what we know of the novel. • We are learning about the context in which ‘The Great Gatsby’ is set.

3. Starter: Think-pair-share • Thinking back to our screening last week • What did you notice about the setting in time and place?

4. Context • Watch the following video and take notes on the main points of the historical context: • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfOR1XCMf7A

5. Group task • Recap and relate to novel/screening • Prohibition • Police corruption/gangs • Social class • Family values • Dealing with the aftermath of WWI • The Lost Generation • Jazz • Flappers

6. A point to consider • Knowing the context to the novel is important to our overall understanding. • But the reason we still read the novel today is because it deals with universal issues that we can still relate to.

7. Lesson 2 Learning Intention Success Criteria Make judgements on how themes are introduced and how characterisation is set up. Consider the possibilities and limitations of narrative voice. • We are learning about the opening chapter of the novel, considering the mode of narration and characterisation and also linking our reading to the theme of the past

8. Starter • Read pp.7-8 (to ‘short winded elations of men’) • Summarise what we learn in this opening passage • How does this section suggest the importance of the past in the novel as a whole? • What does Nick’s father mean in his advice? How does this relate to the story?

9. Write a short summary of Ch 1

10. Characterisation • In this chapter we meet: • Nick • Daisy • Tom • Jordan • What do we learn about these characters? Use quotations to support your answer.

11. Plenary • ‘that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world – a beautiful little fool.’ • Why would Daisy want her daughter to be a fool? What does this say about women (and men) of the time?

12. Lesson 3 Learning Intention Success Criteria Discuss the setting of the valley of ashes using quotations Discuss the characterisation of Wilson and Myrtle Discuss Tom’s relationships with Daisy and Myrtle • We are learning about the significance of setting in the novel • We are learning to make inferences about minor characters when they are introduced • We are learning to make inferences about the relationships of characters by comparing

13. Starter • Read Start of Ch 2 – ‘There I met Tom Buchannan’s mistress.’ • Pick out significant quotations and analyse how they present the valley of ashes.

14. Character focus • Wilson and Myrtle • Look at the section where we meet them and consider: • How are they introduced to us and what are our impressions?

15. Relationships • Read pp.43 ‘It was nine-o’clock’ to the end of the chapter. • Comparison of Tom and Daisy and Tom and Myrtle • Consider what it may tell us about relationships at the time

16. Recap • This week we have focused on the following in Chapters 1 and 2 • SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT • MODE OF NARRATION • CHARACTERISATION AND RELATIONSHIPS • SETTING (Eggs and Valley of Ashes, symbolism, theme) • THEME (The past)

17. Lesson 4 Learning Intention Success Criteria To be able to discuss Nick as a first person narrator To be able to discuss fact and rumour about Gatsby • We are learning to evaluate the reliability of a first person narrator • We are learning to interpret information we are given about characters

18. Starter • ‘Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is one of mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.’ • Can we trust Nick? Why or why not?

19. Looking through Ch 3 • Create 2 lists: • One is facts that we learn about Gatsby • One is rumours we learn about Gatsby

20. Ch 3 questions

21. Plenary • What have we learned about Gatsby that we didn’t know before? Have our impressions of him changed or become more detailed?

22. Lesson 5 Learning Intention Success Criteria To be able to give your opinion of Gatsby and give evidence from the chapter to justify this. • We are learning to discuss our opinions of a main character

23. Starter • Look at your lists from last period, and add to them from what you read in Ch 4

24. Ch 4 questions

25. Notes checklist • Time to update your notes on the following: • Character • Setting • Theme

26. Plenary • What impressions are you forming of Gatsby at this stage in the novel?

27. Lesson 5 Learning Intention Success Criteria Summarise our understanding of different literary elements Be able to write PEE paragraphs on each element. • To review our understanding of the novel so far • To start to practise our skills of writing PEE paragraphs

28. Starter • Short summaries of the following • Character – Tom, Daisy, Jordan, Nick, Gatsby • Setting – West Egg, East Egg, New York, Gatsby’s mansion • Theme – the past, excess

29. PEE(R) paragraphs • POINT • EVIDENCE • EXPLAIN • (REFER TO TASK)

30. Task • From each of the previous sections, choose one to write a PEE paragraph on.