The Great Gatsby Daily Lessons Characterization in the

The Great Gatsby Daily Lessons

Characterization in the exposition • Initial impressions of Daisy, Tom, Jordan, Nick? (ONE academic, intelligent word for each character, on board, put your initials next to your word. NO repeats!)

Fitzgerald’s writing style: • Use of imagery, similes and metaphors • Hint: Page 8/12 – inside the Buchanan mansion and describing the two women (Daisy and Jordan Baker) • Find examples (at least three) and explain why the author would have chosen to use those – why do they

Discussion • • • How does Fitzgerald describe East Egg? How does he describe West Egg? What does Nick say about Gatsby? How would you characterize Nick so far? Is Nick a reliable narrator? Why? Explain the following quote: “I felt that Tom would drift on forever seeking, a little wistfully, for the dramatic turbulence of some irrecoverable football game” (6/10).

• like? What is the marriage of Daisy and Tom • Does Daisy know about the affair? Evidence? • How is she coping with her husband’s infidelity? Evidence? • GATSBY is first seen – how is he introduced? What is he doing? What are some clues?

Beginning of chapter two • • Find the most significant line about: 1. The valley of ashes 2. Doctor T. J. Eckleburg 3. Myrtle Wilson 4. George Wilson 5. Tom Buchanan 6. Nick Carroway Be prepared to share your line and explain your choice. What is so important and that line? What does it reveal about the character?

Chapter 2 • Silent reading to FINISH chapter two • Once you’ve finished your reading, work on the discussion questions • Each question needs to be answered • You may work with a partner – complete, thoughtful sentences. • Write both names on the paper • Turn in when done • If time, complete chapter two study guide

Chapter 2 • Discussion questions – work with a partner 1. Find evidence that Tom’s violent nature has been foreshadowed. 2. Do you feel sympathy for either Myrtle or Daisy? Why? 3. What happens to Nick in the end of chapter 2? 4. How has Nick changed since his arrival on Long Island? What might Fitzgerald be suggesting about society at that time? 5. What is the MOOD at the social gathering at Tom’s apartment? How does Fitzgerald create that mood? What are the guests like? Would you want to socialize with them? Why? 6. What does the following quote reveal about Gatsby?

• Read half of chapter 3 and complete study guide questions • Stop at the paragraph that begins, “The nature of Mr. Tostoff’s composition eluded me, ” (50 or your version)

Gatsby’s Party • Describe the party in ONE academic, intelligent word • What are some details of Gatsby’s party that give the reader insight into Gatsby himself? • Would you want to be a guest at his party? Why? • Find a quote that reveals that many of the guests are shallow people just using Gatsby. • Compare this party to the gathering at Tom’s NYC apartment. What are similarities and differences?

• chapter three • Journal Entry assignment (modern Gatsby party) • Who is more to blame for the Myrtle/Tom affair?

• Silent board talk Friday 1/11 • Take 10 minutes at your desks to come up with answers for the questions • Will have time to wander around the room, answering/discussing the different questions • Must answer at least four questions • Must use specifics (facts, quotes, plot details) with a page number • Must write your name after each comment • Please interact with what your classmates write…debate/discussion

1. Fitzgerald chooses to use colors to Symbolism board talk represent certain people because… 2. Fitzgerald uses the moonlight to symbolize… 3. It is raining when Gatsby and Daisy meet for the first time because… 4. Dr. T. J. Eckleburg is used in the novel to… 5. The Eggs are eggs because Fitzgerald is trying to… 6. Fitzgerald chose to have Daisy and Myrtle be completely opposite women because…

Who is Gatsby? • • • What do we know about him? How do we know this information? What is the truth? How do you know? What connections can you make between the character Gatsby and what we have learned about the 1920’s?

Evidence practice chapter five • Find the BEST piece of evidence to support the idea that: • • Gatsby does have illegal business affairs Gatsby is preoccupied with his image Gatsby is terribly nervous to reunite with Daisy When Gatsby, Nick and Daisy are in Nick’s house the mood is tense and awkward • Gatsby bought and furnished his house to impress Daisy • Gatsby and Daisy have rekindled their love • Daisy is materialistic

Chapter seven • Discuss Myrtle/Tom vs. Daisy/Gatsby • Why the difference in colors, music, weather? • Do you think one affair is more justified than another? Explain. • What is the difference between the two affairs? • Why has Gatsby fired all his servants? • AWKWARD!!! Explain the situation at the Buchanan’s house. Give two examples of the tension. • How are Tom Buchanan and George Wilson similar?

Character 4 -Square • Chose 4 main characters – write full name in each square • In each square you will write an argument (main idea), a piece of evidence to support the argument (find your own quote or use a starter from my list), and analysis to explain how that evidence is helping to prove your argument • You get to decide what important, significant argument you will prove for each character

Example: • Nick Carraway • Argument/Main Idea: Nick is the only true, loyal friend to Gatsby; all the other people in Gatsby’s life were superficial leeches using him for his influence and money. • Evidence: “I found myself on Gatby’s side, and alone. . . every surmise about him, and every practical question was referred to me. . . it grew upon me that I was responsible, because no one else was interested”(164). • Analysis: After Gatsby’s death, Nick finds himself the lone defender of Gastby’s story and honor. Not only does no one come to the funeral, but no one is interested in Gatsby anymore now that he can no longer offer anything to the masses. Nick remains to comfort Gatsby’s father and to honor his companion when no one else does, not even Daisy who claimed to love

Some quotes. . . • • • “He wanted nothing less of Daisy. . . ” (109) • • “She never loved you, do you hear? . . . ”(131) • • • “I’d had enough of all of them for one day, and suddenly that included Jordan too”(142). • • “He come out to see me two years ago and bought me the house I live in now. . . ”(172) • “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy – they smashed up things and creatures. . . ”(179). • Lots of choices on last page of novel “Can’t repeat the past? . . . ”(110) lots of choices around after this quote “What will we do with ourselves this afternoon. . . ”(118) “She had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw. . . ”(119) “Her voice is full of money”(120) “There’s no confusion like the confusion of a simple mind, and as we drove away Tom was feeling the hot whips of panic”(125). “In a little while I heard a low husky sob, and saw that the tears were overflowing down his face”(141). “Yes, he said after a moment, ‘but of course I’ll say I was”(143). “There was an unmistakable air of natural intimacy about the picture. . (145). “He was clutching at some last hope and I couldn’t bear to shake him free”(148). “If that was true he must have felt that he had lost the old warm world, paid a high price for living too long with a single dream”(161). “I tried to think about Gatsby for a moment, but he was already too far away, and I could only remember, without resentment, that Daisy hadn’t sent a message or a flower”(174).

Blame game • Objective: to assign blame for the death and fate of Gatsby • Procedure: • Round 1: You have 15 minutes to create a pie chart that is assigning blame for the death of Gatsby in chapter 8. I suggest making a list of the characters potentially responsible and then assigning percentages. At the end of 15 minutes, your poster must be on the wall with the pie chart complete and your group names on the back. • Round 2: You have 5 minutes to grab a marker and argue against the choices made by other groups. Visit FOUR pie charts. Use the text when applicable to make your point. All arguments against must be made on the left side of the poster and outside the pie chart itself. Please include your initials next to your comments. • Round 3: Come back to your own poster and read your peers’ comments. On the right hand side, defend your positions. Use the text when applicable and be sure to respond directly to the opposing arguments. Respond to AT LEAST FIVE comments by initials. 5 minutes.

Thesis and rough outline work • Thesis check – remember to make it complex – the “so what” half of thesis – this portion can easily be achieved by adding “due to”, “because”, “and”, “therefore”, and so on. A complex thesis lends to a more arguable and analysisfriendly essay! • Rough outline – how many body paragraphs will you have? (2 -4) • Write out your topic sentences for each body paragraph – these MUST BE ARGUABLE! Just like a THESIS statement – your TOPIC SENTENCE is also presenting an argument – what is the paragraph going to prove? • Then break it down into sub-points, or main ideas, then evidence and analysis. There should be at least TWO pieces of evidence per paragraph!

Timeline for essays • Wednesday and Thursday in class: keep working on your essays – moving to finding evidence and drafting the body paragraphs – HOMEWORK – complete the body paragraphs • In class FRIDAY – have a typed essay with all body paragraphs complete. We will do peer revision – this time there will be a point penalty if you do not have this complete – HOMEWORK – improve and revise your body paragraphs and add an intro and conclusion if you did not yet. • In class MONDAY – have a new and improved typed, near-final essay with all paragraphs ready for peer editing. HOMEWORK – make proofreading adjustments and submit to turnitin. com on time