Teachers looking to bring this classic novel into their classrooms will agree that understanding The Great Gatsby's major themes, appropriateness, and lesson planning ideas are key to effectively teaching the book.
This article promises to provide educators with a comprehensive book review of The Great Gatsby, equipping them to make informed decisions about using this renowned American novel with students.
Highlights will include key details on the plot, central themes relatable to young readers today, guidance on age-appropriateness, and an overview of potential activities, assignments, and assessments to support lesson planning.
Introduction to The Great Gatsby: A Book Review for Teachers
The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and published in 1925, is considered a classic of American literature set during the Roaring Twenties. As a high school English teacher, this novel contains several thought-provoking themes that resonate with students today.
The story centers around the mysterious Jay Gatsby and his quest to rekindle a relationship with Daisy Buchanan, now married to Tom Buchanan. It explores Gatsby's lavish lifestyle in contrast to the moral decay of the era. Students analyze the complex relationships between characters and the novel's critique of material excess.
When teaching The Great Gatsby, key themes to explore include:
- The American Dream and social mobility
- Wealth and excess during the Jazz Age
- Social class and status
- Moral decadence and hollowness of the upper class
The novel also allows room for discussing literary elements like symbols, motifs, and the unreliable narrator technique used throughout the story.
The Essence of The Great Gatsby: A Summary for Educators
Published in 1925, The Great Gatsby was written by American author F. Scott Fitzgerald and set during the Roaring Twenties era in 1922. The novel uses both first-person narration by Nick Carraway and omniscient third-person to tell the tragic story of Jay Gatsby.
The main plot centers on Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire who amasses wealth to try to win back his past love, Daisy Buchanan. The story exposes the emptiness of the Jazz Age upper class and their reckless pursuit of pleasure.
Key characters include:
- Jay Gatsby: Protagonist and wealthy socialite pining for Daisy
- Daisy Buchanan: Gatsby's former love interest, now married to Tom Buchanan
- Nick Carraway: First-person narrator and Gatsby's neighbor
- Tom Buchanan: Daisy's husband who comes from an extremely wealthy family
The novel culminates when Gatsby takes the blame for Myrtle Wilson's death after she is hit by Daisy while driving Gatsby's car, eventually leading to Gatsby's murder at the hands of Myrtle's husband.
Key Plot Points: A Brief Overview for Lesson Planning
The Great Gatsby opens with Nick Carraway moving to West Egg, Long Island during the summer of 1922. There, his mysterious neighbor Jay Gatsby hosts lavish parties every weekend. Across the bay in East Egg live Nick's cousin Daisy and her husband Tom, an aggressive and arrogant millionaire.
Early on, Nick reconnects Daisy and Gatsby, former lovers from five years ago. Daisy begins visiting Gatsby, which angers Tom. Meanwhile, Nick learns more about Gatsby's questionable business dealings and connections to organized crime.
The story builds to a confrontation between Tom, Daisy, Gatsby, and Tom's mistress Myrtle Wilson at a hotel in Manhattan. Driving back, Daisy hits and kills Myrtle with Gatsby's car but does not stop. Myrtle's husband assumes Gatsby was the driver and murders him for revenge before killing himself. Only a few people attend Gatsby's funeral despite his famed parties and connections.
The novel ends with Nick reflecting on the events that unfolded that summer and the emptiness and moral decay of the wealthy East Egg socialites who used Gatsby but abandoned him in death.
Exploring Central Themes: Classic American Novel Insights
As a portrait of the Jazz Age, The Great Gatsby touches on several themes that resonate today:
The American Dream - The novel explores the idea that America is a land of opportunity where anyone can better their station in life through hard work. Gatsby believes wholeheartedly in this dream, amassing wealth to try to win over Daisy and enter her elite social circle. Ultimately, Fitzgerald critiques the American dream, as even Gatsby's lavish wealth and parties fail to reunite him with Daisy or lead to true happiness.
Wealth and Excess - Much of the novel examines the reckless extravagance of the era including Gatsby's parties, representing the corruption and moral decay of the upper class. Their pursuit of pleasure leads only to pain and hollowness.
Social Class - As an outsider, Gatsby fails to win over the old money crowd on East Egg. Tom looks down on Gatsby for his lower-class background while hypocritically engaging in an affair with Myrtle. Fitzgerald suggests wealth does not necessarily lead to superiority.
Analyzing these prominent themes allows rich discussion on how the issues in the novel connect to modern society. The Great Gatsby continues to resonate decades later as a sobering portrait of material excess and unquestioned values.
Why do teachers think The Great Gatsby is so great?
Teachers widely regard The Great Gatsby as a quintessential piece of American literature for several key reasons:
Literary Merit
- The novel is filled with rich symbolism and vivid imagery that allows for deep analysis. For example, the green light symbolizes Gatsby's hopes and dreams.
- It examines complex themes like social class, wealth and status, love and obsession, and the American dream. This provides ample fodder for classroom discussions and essay writing.
- The characters are complex and flawed. Exploring their motivations and relationships allows students to analyze characterization and connect themes to the text.
- Fitzgerald's writing style itself is highly poetic and descriptive. Studying his craft teaches students about quality prose.
Discussion Value
- The 1920s setting lends itself well to exploring American history and culture. Students can research the jazz age for context.
- Controversial topics like infidelity, domestic abuse, alcoholism, and criminal activity can lead to thoughtful debates.
- The novel brings up moral questions about social climbing, entitlement, and the lengths people will go to fulfill ambitions. This develops critical thinking abilities.
Assessment Opportunities
- The layered symbolism and themes allow teachers to create thought-provoking essay prompts and test questions.
- Students can practice literary analysis by examining passages and explaining their deeper meaning.
- Creative projects like designing 1920's inspired fashion/sets, writing additional chapters, or recording podcasts based on the novel further develop skills.
In summary, The Great Gatsby offers teachers a well-crafted American classic that generates rich discussion, allows for textual analysis, and enables varied assessment techniques - making it a consistently taught novel.
Is The Great Gatsby appropriate for school?
The Great Gatsby explores complex themes like social class, excess, love, and the American dream. While some content may be mature for younger students, the book is frequently studied in high school and college to analyze its literary style and deeper meaning. Here are some key points to consider regarding The Great Gatsby's appropriateness for school:
Language and Content
- Includes some profanity, violence, drug/alcohol references, and sexual suggestiveness. Teachers should review potentially concerning passages beforehand.
- Conceptually dense symbolism and metaphor requires a higher level of analysis best suited for high school level and above.
- Provides opportunities to discuss the historical context of the 1920s setting.
Literary Value
- Seen as a prime example of Modernist literature and the Jazz Age. Valuable for examining writing craft.
- Provides strong character development and an intricate, non-linear plot that older students can readily analyze.
- Encourages critical thinking about themes of social structures, morality, identity, and the American dream.
Teaching Approaches
- Teachers may opt to teach a excerpted or abridged version to younger students.
- Whole class study works best for 11th/12th grade or college. Allows deeper literary analysis.
- Group discussions and writing tasks help students process mature content through thoughtful discourse.
With preparation and guidance, The Great Gatsby can be impactful for high school and college readers while avoiding potential concerns.
What lessons does The Great Gatsby teach?
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald teaches several important lessons that are still relevant today:
The emptiness of excessive materialism
One of the central themes of The Great Gatsby is the emptiness of the wealthy upper class and their excessive materialism. Jay Gatsby accumulates enormous wealth and throws lavish parties, yet he is unhappy as he pines for his lost love, Daisy. Fitzgerald suggests that no matter how much wealth one accumulates, it does not guarantee happiness or fulfillment.
The danger of living in the past
While Gatsby remains fixated on reliving his perfect past with Daisy, he is unable to move forward and live in the present. His obsession with the past prevents him from seeing the flaws in his dream and blinds him to reality. Fitzgerald warns readers about the dangers of being stuck in nostalgia rather than recognizing life's imperfections.
The carelessness of the wealthy
Daisy and Tom demonstrate a careless disregard for others throughout the novel. Their reckless actions lead to Myrtle's death, yet they escape without punishment due to their wealth and privilege. Fitzgerald criticizes their lack of empathy and accountability as symptoms of a wealthy class concerned only with its own pleasure.
The Great Gatsby serves as a commentary on American society in the 1920s. The lessons around materialism, living in the past, and carelessness continue to be relevant in examining wealth and class divides today.
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Is The Great Gatsby a good book to teach?
The Great Gatsby is an excellent novel for teaching high school students. Here are some of the key reasons why:
Engaging and Relevant Themes
The major themes in The Great Gatsby - social class, love, illusion vs. reality - connect with issues relevant to students' lives. Exploring these universal themes encourages students to think critically about society. The novel also provides a window into 1920s America.
Complex Characters
Each major character in The Great Gatsby has depth and complexity. For example, Jay Gatsby represents both the extravagant wealth of the era alongside its illusion and emptiness. Discussing the nuances of these characters builds students' analytical skills.
Literary Significance
As a highlight of American literature, The Great Gatsby exposes students to acclaimed writing. Analyzing Fitzgerald's vivid imagery and symbolism lets students appreciate quality literature.
Interdisciplinary Connections
Teachers can connect The Great Gatsby to history, economics, and culture of the 1920s. This allows for rich cross-curricular learning. Students can better understand the context and significance of the novel.
With its literary merit, multilayered characters, relevant themes, and connections across subject areas, The Great Gatsby offers an impactful reading experience for high school students. Analyzing and discussing this classic novel facilitates skills in critical thinking, communication, and making real-world connections.
Crafting The Great Gatsby Lesson Plans for English Language Arts
Teaching a complex classic like The Great Gatsby offers rich opportunities to develop students' literary analysis skills. However, effectively guiding high school students through this quintessential novel requires thoughtful planning and scaffolding.
Setting the Stage: Pre-Reading Activities for The Great Gatsby
Before diving into the text, build students' background knowledge on the historical context and themes of 1920s America. Useful pre-reading activities include:
- Photo analysis of images from the 1920s to make inferences about society and values
- Mini-lessons on relevant history like Prohibition and the Jazz Age
- Anticipation guides to introduce literary devices and themes students will encounter
Guiding Students Through the Novel: Close Reading and Analysis
To support comprehension and analysis throughout the unit, focus on close reading strategies:
- Annotating - Model annotating early chapters together, then check student annotations to ensure engagement
- Text coding - Use highlighting or symbols to mark literary devices, themes, etc.
- Discussion groups - Facilitate small group discussion with guiding questions for each chapter
- Dialectical journals - Have students analyze quotes and make connections to broader themes
Post-Reading Projects: Bringing The Great Gatsby to Life
Creative culminating projects allow students to synthesize understanding, such as:
- Character Instagram accounts - Students adopt a persona and create posts reflecting plot events
- Themes in pop culture - Compare Gatsby themes to modern songs, shows or news stories
- Gatsby remake trailer - Produce a book trailer previewing an imagined film adaptation
Measuring Understanding: Assessment Strategies for Classic Literature
Utilize a variety of assessments to evaluate learning, including:
- Reading check quizzes confirming plot comprehension
- Essays analyzing characters, themes, symbols and author's craft
- Socratic seminars focused on text-based discussion
- Creative projects with rubrics targeting content knowledge and analysis
Ongoing monitoring of student work will enable adaptation of lessons to ensure all learners develop literary analysis abilities through study of this meaningful text.
Engaging Students with The Great Gatsby: Activities and Games
Building Vocabulary: Engaging Activities and Novel Study Resources
Integrating vocabulary-building activities into a unit on The Great Gatsby can help students better understand the novel's language and themes. Some engaging ideas include:
- Word walls: Have students add new words from each chapter to a classroom word wall. Review definitions together.
- Context clues: Provide sentences from the book that contain unfamiliar words and have students use context clues to determine meanings.
- Vocabulary notebooks: Students track unfamiliar words in personal notebooks, writing definitions, synonyms, sample sentences, and illustrations.
- Vocabulary games: Play games like Charades, Pictionary, and Scrabble using vocabulary words from the novel.
- Quizzes and tests: Assess student learning with vocabulary quizzes and tests throughout the unit. Consider creative formats like matching, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice.
Pairing these kinds of activities with quality Great Gatsby novel study guides and worksheets will further support student comprehension.
Worksheets and Handouts for The Great Gatsby: Supporting Literature Study
Using supplemental materials can strengthen student understanding of The Great Gatsby's complex themes and character development:
- Study guides: Provide chapter study guides with reading comprehension questions, writing prompts, and discussion topics.
- Character analysis: Distribute graphic organizers for analyzing main characters. Include spaces for describing motives, relationships, key events, and changes.
- Theme analysis: Have students complete charts identifying major themes, related textual evidence, interpretations, and personal connections.
- Creative response: Encourage personal reactions to the novel with creative prompts for essays, poems, illustrations, diary entries of characters, etc.
- Literature circles: Student-led small groups can complete differentiated handouts focusing on the novel's setting, symbols, social issues, and more.
- Test prep: Supply practice multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions to prepare for unit exams and state assessments.
Using a range of reproducible materials will accommodate diverse learners while developing critical analysis skills.
Multimedia Integration: Using Classic American Novel Adaptations
The 1925 novel The Great Gatsby has inspired numerous film and theatrical adaptations that can creatively supplement reading:
- Compare and contrast: Show clips from modern and classic movie versions. Have students compare directors' interpretations, analyzing what is emphasized or omitted.
- Historical context: Use period music, newsreels, and images to immerse students in the 1920s cultural context. Compare society then and now.
- Critical analysis: View theatrical adaptations that reimagine the novel's setting, characters, or plot. Analyze the creative choices and discuss their significance.
- Primary source: Show the 1974 film starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. Compare its interpretation to Fitzgerald's original novel as a primary source.
- Inspiration: Play clips of Gatsby-inspired music, fashion shows, or films discussing how artists are still moved by the American classic.
By experiencing diverse Gatsby media, students can deepen their analysis of the quintessential American novel, sparking inspiration for their own creative works.
Homework and Extended Learning for The Great Gatsby
Creative Writing Assignments: Exploring The Great Gatsby's Themes
Creative writing assignments can help students explore the key themes in The Great Gatsby like social class, excess, and the American dream. Here are some ideas:
- Have students write a diary entry from the perspective of a character like Gatsby, Daisy or Nick. This helps them get into the mindset of the characters.
- Ask students to rewrite a key scene from another character's point of view. This develops perspective-taking skills.
- Prompt students to write a "missing chapter" that fits into the storyline. This allows creativity while requiring understanding of the plot and themes.
- Have students create a newspaper or magazine from the 1920s, featuring articles related to the novel's themes. This boosts engagement through creativity.
Research Projects: Diving Deeper into the Roaring Twenties
Research projects allow students to contextualize The Great Gatsby in the 1920s era:
- Have small groups research topics like 1920s economy, fashion, music, prohibition then present findings to class. This builds research skills.
- Assign an individual 1920s figure to each student to research then create a first-person presentation from that figure's perspective. This boosts engagement.
- Challenge students to compare and contrast the 1920s to modern times. This develops critical thinking and analysis skills.
Analytical Essays: Assessing Critical Thinking on Classic Literature
Essay assignments can evaluate student understanding and analysis of this classic novel:
- Have students analyze and compare two characters using specific textual evidence. This develops critical reading and citation skills.
- Prompt students to assess how the novel's key themes relate to the American Dream concept. This boosts perspective and develops writing.
- Assign an essay analyzing the novel's most pivotal scene and how it impacts the overall storyline. This evaluates plot and theme comprehension while building analytical skills.
Conclusion: Summarizing The Great Gatsby Book Review for Teachers
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is considered one of the great American novels. As an English teacher, reviewing and teaching this classic work provides rich opportunities to analyze complex characters, themes, symbolism and the author's craft. When concluding a unit on The Great Gatsby, it's helpful to recap some key takeaways:
Themes and Symbols
- The American Dream and its illusion vs. harsh realities of social stratification
- Symbols like the green light, valley of ashes, East/West Egg, eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg representing ideas like hope, decay, social class divides
Character Analysis
- Jay Gatsby as a tragic hero and embodiment of the American Dream's illusions
- Daisy as a symbol of old money's carelessness and privilege
- Nick Carraway as an observant outsider and the story's narrator
Teaching Approaches
- Close reading passages for textual analysis
- Creative projects like designing 1920s magazine covers or writing diary entries
- Comparisons to modern society questions on social mobility and materialism
The Great Gatsby offers so many discussion points around the American experience. Concluding with connections to broader societal questions can lead to impactful classroom conversations. Reviewing major symbols, themes and character roles also solidifies understanding.
