“The show that scores the argument”

1. “The show that scores the argument”

2. Before we begin… • We’ll need to define our roles: • Four contestants • One host • One “stat boy” or “stat girl” • Four judges • Viewers at home

3. Today’s Format • Round 1: The First Word • Nick as Narrator • Gatsby as Tragic Hero • Round 2: Buy or Sell • Is Tom a prototypical 1920s male? • Gatsby as Required Reading • Fitzgerald’s Depiction of Women • Round 3: Out of Bounds • Endorsement or Satire? • Round 4: The Showdown

4. Round 1: The First Word • In this round, contestants discuss two literary headlines of the day’s reading assignment. • Points are awarded or deducted for quality of argument.

5. Nick as Narrator • Many critics feel this story could not be told by an omniscient narrator. • What unique perspective does Nick’s narration bring to the novel? The First Word 1 of 2

6. Gatsby as Tragic Hero • A tragic hero can be defined as a protagonist whose tragic flaw (usually a particular personality trait) is his undoing. • Is Gatsby a tragic hero? If so, what is his tragic flaw? The First Word 2 of 2

7. Round 2: Buy or Sell • In this round, contestants are asked to buy or sell (be for or against) three different concepts, also drawn from the day’s literary headlines. • Points are awarded or deducted for quality of argument.

8. Is Tom a prototypical 1920s male? • Tom’s racist and misogynistic ideas seem horrifying to us as modern readers. • However, the world was a different place 100 years ago, and it was more socially acceptable for a white male to assert his supposed superiority. • Are you buying or selling the idea that Tom Buchanan is just a function of the time period? Buy or Sell 1 of 3

9. Gatsbyas required reading • The Great Gatsby can be found on the required reading lists at many high schools throughout the nation. • Are you buying or selling the idea The Great Gatsby should be on the required reading list at our high school? Buy or Sell 2 of 3

10. Fitzgerald’s Depiction of Women • F. Scott Fitzgerald was writing at a time when women were enjoying increasing freedom, but were still living in a largely male-dominated world. • He was, at times, conflicted about his relationship with his wife, who at various times was a positive force and a negative force upon his writing. • Are you buying or selling the idea that Fitzgerald is more forgiving of his male characters than he is of his female characters? Buy or Sell 3 of 3

11. The First Cut • Sorry, the contestant with the lowest score has to go home! • Now, three contestants remain.

12. Round 3: Out of Bounds • In this round, contestants discuss one story which is indirectly literature-related. • Points are awarded or deducted for quality of argument.

13. Endorsement or Satire? • The novel concludes, “tomorrow we will run faster, stretch our arms farther…” • Some critics view Gatsby as an endorsement of the classic notion of the American Dream, while other view it as a satire of those values. • Do you feel the novel endorses or satirizes a view of the American Dream?

14. The Second Cut • Sorry, the contestant with the lowest score has to go home! • Now only two remain!

15. Showdown • The two remaining contestants get 15 seconds on each of three literature-related topics. • One point will be awarded for the better argument in each of the three categories.

16. Dad’s Advice • “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” • Does Nick remain faithful to his father’s advice throughout the novel, or does he at time become critical and judgmental? Showdown 1 of 3

17. Where are your sympathies? • Myrtle dies when she is struck by her husband’s lover’s car. • An anguished Wilson commits murder, then suicide. • Gatsby is shot, and his funeral is poorly attended. • Tom’s “true love” (Myrtle) has died. • Daisy’s “true love” (Gatsby) has died. • Nick is still around to pick up the pieces. • For whom do you feel the most sympathy? Showdown 2 of 3

18. The Green Light • The green light initially seemed to have represented envy, but in the final paragraph, it seems to represent hope. • “Gatsby believed in the green light.” • Does Nick believe in “the green light”? Does Fitzgerald? Do you? Showdown 3 of 3

19. Face time! • The winner of today’s competition gets 30 seconds to discuss anything he/she wants to discuss! • It can be literature-related, but does not have to be.