Component 2 Drama and Prose post 1900 The Great Gatsby
If for any reason you missed the introduction lesson on this unit, you can download the PPT here: introduction-to-prose-post-1900
If you’re struggling for ideas on how to fill your four hours of independent learning, here’s a useful checklist of ideas for things to do:
As part of your reading journal, don’t forget to complete the questions for each chapter – they will provide a useful revision tool and check your understanding: Questions on all chapters
You can also download each of the lessons here:
In these lessons you will:
Lesson 1
- Gain an overview of the era in which the Great Gatsby is set
- Explore some of the events in history which affected Fitzgerald’s work
- the-great-gatsby-lesson-1 plus resources and handouts:
- l1-names-of-the-age
- l1-key-dates
- l1-images
- l1-historical-context-tredell-extracts
Lesson 2
LO: In this lesson you will:
- Discuss the conventional purposes of the opening of novels
- Analyse the construction of the opening of The Great Gatsby
- Evaluate issues of first person perspective
- the-great-gatsby-lesson-2
- Resources and handouts:
- narration
- l2-introducing-tom-daisy-and-jordan-student-version
- l2-nick-carraway-quotes
Lesson 3
LO: In this lesson you will:
- Explore the link between geography and morality in the novel
- Analyse the dinner conversation for prejudices which reflect the context of the novel.
- Begin to track the use of symbolism in the novel
- the-great-gatsby-lesson-3
Lesson 4
LO: In this lesson you will:
- Explore the development of modernism and the modern novel
- Compare the Valley of the Ashes with T.S. Eliot’s The Wasteland.
- Analyse New York as a setting of the novel
- the-great-gatsby-lesson-4
- Resources and handouts:
- l4-extracts-from-the-wasteland
- l4-literary-movements
See also wider reading: wider reading: Romantic, Realist, Modernist
Lesson 5
LO: In this lesson you will:
- Analyse the language used to describe Gatsby’s party
- Consider the techniques Fitzgerald uses to create Gatsby’s character
- Explore the themes of illusion and isolation
Resources and handouts:
Lesson 6
LO: In this lesson you will:
- Explore the chronological structure of the novel
- Begin to track flashbacks and revelations
- Analyse and comment on the way Fitzgerald creates mystery and suspense
Resources and handouts:
Lesson 7
LO: In this lesson you will:
- Further explore a range of ways to study the structure of the novel.
- Analyse the ways chapters begin and end.
see handout of opening and closing paragraphs from each chapter:
chapters 1-4
chapters 5-9
Lesson 8
LO: In this lesson you will:
- Use critical statements on structure to develop a response.
- the-great-gatsby-lesson-8
- Resources and handouts:
- l8-paragraph-on-structure
- Critical comments on structure:
Lesson 9
LO: In this lesson you will:
- Investigate aspects of chapter 5
- Explore and comment on Fitzgerald’s use of song
Resources:
Lesson 10
LO: In this lesson you will:
- link images from throughout the novel.
- Provide peer assessment to improve written expression (Identified as a weakness in previous essay)
Begin to prepare you for a timed essay.
Resources: l10-images-from-the-book
Lesson 11
LO: In this lesson you will:
- Analyse the time frame used by Fitzgerald in chapter 8
- Explore and share your opinions of the novel’s climax
Lesson 12
LO: In this lesson you will:
- Reflect on some key questions raised by the text
- Explore the final line of the novel.
Mrsjgibbs 