The Roaring Twenties
by
_______________
The Third Industrial Revolution
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Fordism
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Urbanization
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Revolution in Manners and Morals
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Electrical Home
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Advertising and the Promise of Happiness
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Beauty Industries
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Silver Screen
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Roaring Twenties, continued
The Jazz Age
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Clash of Cultures
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Prohibition
_______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Nativists and Fundamentalists
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Golden Age of Sports
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Lucky Lindy
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Gospel of Business
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
The coming of the Great Depression
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Great Gatsby Plot Notes
by
_______________
Chapter 1 ______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
A theme from this chapter:________________________________________________________________
Chapter 2______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
A theme from this chapter:________________________________________________________________
Chapter 3 ______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
A theme from this chapter:________________________________________________________________
Chapter 4______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
A theme from this chapter:________________________________________________________________
Chapter 5______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
A theme from this chapter:________________________________________________________________
Chapter 6 ______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
A theme from this chapter:________________________________________________________________
Chapter 7______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
A theme from this chapter:________________________________________________________________
Chapter 8 ______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
A theme from this chapter:________________________________________________________________
Chapter 9______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
A theme from this chapter:________________________________________________________________
Character Tracker Chart
Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Period_________
YOUR MISSION:
Track _______________________________________________________
Your goal is to uncover the inner workings of your subject. What motivates
him or her? What are your subject’s strengths and weaknesses? What does
he or she want more than anything else? What makes your subject tick?
The more information you’re able to uncover, the easier your “case” will
become. Good luck.
Quote and page number:
Inferences about character based on quote:
Character Tracker Chart, cont.
Quote and page number:
Inferences about character based on quote:
1. Dear Players,
In Chapter One, Nick receives the following advice from his father: “Whenever you feel like criticizing
anyone...just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”
Now, consider the following scene: You’re at a party when you spot an acquaintance hovering by the
coat rack. Before you have a chance to say hello, you see your acquaintance rummage through various coats
and purses, stealing money and other items.
An hour later, your acquaintance sees you, waves, and approaches to start a conversation. If you were
living your life according to the advice from Nick’s father, how would you respond? Narrate or script the ensuing scene. (10 points)
2. Dear Players,
In Chapter Two, Nick accompanies Tom and his mistress, Myrtle, to a party. Tom’s behavior suggests
an utter disregard for Daisy. At the end of the chapter, however, the following takes place:
“Some time toward midnight Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Wilson stood face to face, discussing in impassioned voices whether Mrs. Wilson has any right to mention Daisy’s name.
‘Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!’ shouted Mrs. Wilson. ‘I’ll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai--’
Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.”
Consider Tom’s actions. What could possibly have motivated the physical abuse? As if you’re Tom,
write a journal entry recounting the night. Discuss what you thought about the party, the guests, and the hit. (10
points)
3. Dear Players,
It is in Chapter Three that we finally meet, in person, the famous Mr. Gatsby. Amidst rumors of murder
and German spying escapades, Gatsby takes shape.
In a meticulously crafted argumentative paragraph, argue whether Gatsby is more likely to become the
book’s hero or villain. Use at least one direct quote from the novel to back your stance. (10 points)
4. Dear Players,
In Chapter Four, Gatsby’s complex history with Daisy is revealed. While Gatsby was stationed at the
base near Daisy’s home, Gatsby and Daisy fell in love. Although Daisy chose to marry Tom after Gatsby left
for the war, Daisy drank herself into numbness the night before her wedding after receiving a letter from Gatsby.
Consider what you know about their relationship and the surrounding circumstances. As if you’re
Gatsby, write the letter that Daisy received. Then, in a separate paragraph, defend your letter’s content. Why
does your letter make the most sense within the book’s context? (20 points)
5. Dear Players,
It is in Chapter Five that we finally witness Gatsby and Daisy’s reunion. Their meeting is emotionally tumultuous, swinging from the severely awkward to the severely happy. Because we are limited to Nick’s
thoughts alone, we can only assume how Daisy and Gatsby are feeling based on Nick’s observations.
Select a passage from Chapter Five (at least 300 words long) and rewrite it from either Daisy or Gatsby’s perspective. Really get inside their heads to explore how they experienced the encounter, emphasizing
ideas the reader may have missed in the original reading. (20 points)
6. Dear Players,
In Chapter Six, Nick makes the following observation about Gatsby:
“He wanted nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: ‘I never loved you.’ After she
had obliterated three years with that sentence they could decide upon the more practical measures to be taken.
One of them was that, after she was free, they were to go back to Louisville and be married from her house--just
as if it were five years ago.”
And, later Gatsby proclaims: “Can’t repeat the past?...Why of course you can!”
Consider the implications of Gatsby’s wishes. Will his desire to repeat the past elevate his happiness or
destroy him? Write a single meticulously crafted argumentative paragraph defending your stance. Use at least
one direct quote from the novel to support yourself. (10 points)
7. Dear Players,
Chapter Seven is fraught with tension. Up to this point, Gatsby and Daisy have behaved as if their actions were free of consequence; however, their romance has been suspended in limbo and limbo is ultimately
unsustainable. The chapter’s culminating action sees Myrtle die and Gatsby take the blame.
Scour chapter seven and consider which moment had the single biggest impact on the story’s direction.
What line, paragraph, or half page was arguably the turning point? Once you’ve identified this moment, do the
following:
Rewrite the passage, aiming for the biggest impact. To the best of your ability, mimic Fitzgerald’s writing style so that your passage could, presumably, be slipped into the original. Use one original line from the
novel to start your passage; from there, rewrite the moment so that it redirects the story.
Write two meticulously crafted paragraphs unpacking your choice. In paragraph one, explain why/how
your selected passage worked as the turning point; what made it so influential? Next, in paragraph two, explain
how your passage would redirect the story. If your passage were a part of the narrative, what would happen
after? (20 points)
8. Dear Players,
In Chapter Eight, we witness Gatsby’s murder. Although Wilson is technically responsible for the murder, should he bear the primary responsibility for Gatsby’s death?
Write 1-2 meticulously crafted paragraphs arguing who should bear the weight and responsibility of
Gatsby’s death. Did he bring it upon himself? Is Daisy at fault? Tom? Nick? Use at least two textual pieces
of evidence to support yourself. (10 points)
9. Dear Players,
Now that you’ve finished the book, it’s time to take a closer look at your assigned character. You have
been tracing your character’s development throughout our reading of The Great Gatsby on your Character
Tracer. Now prepare to discover who your character really is.
Step 1: Find your peers who have been assigned the same character as you. Get together and spend several
minutes discussing the information you’ve collected on your Character Tracer. What details have they noticed
about the character? Do your peers like or dislike the character? Why? Is your character admirable or not?
Step 2: Brainstorm a list of 10 interview questions that can help you explore this character further. (Tip:
don’t ask boring questions; ask question you desperately want to know the answers to. Ask questions for which
you might not find explicit evidence in the text.)
Example: What have you got in your pocket and why do you hang onto it?
What was your relationship with your mother like?
What do you daydream about?
Write your interview questions on a separate piece of paper.
Step 3: Break off into groups of two. You must have two different characters represented in your new group.
You will each take 5-7 minutes to interview each other. You will take turns being the interviewer
and the interviewee (character). Give your question list to your interviewer. You will answer the questions you
came up with.
The interviewer will ask questions, while the character responds instinctively (don’t think too much
about your responses. You already know this character well. Just imagine the responses in the voice and personality of the character.)
Step 4: Once everyone has had a chance to be interviewed, independently write an interior monologue below,
based on your responses to the questions that you answered. (20 points)
Interior Monologue Final Assessment
Throughout our study of The Great Gatsby, you have been evaluating how authors develop characters
and use them to reveal theme. You have traced your character’s progression throughout the book and you have
had a chance to delve into your character’s thoughts and motivations through your recent character interview.
Part 1: Write an Interior Monologue (20 points)
Select a “hot spot” for your assigned character. Think about the facets of his/her personality that help reveal theme. For example, if you think a prominent theme is that living in the past will only bring unhappiness,
you may want to look at Gatsby and Nick’s conversation at the end of Chapter six.
Write a one page monologue from the perspective of this character that shows how this character contributes to a theme of the novel.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Your monologue must include:
Part 1: and your character’s name as your title.
A scene set up that explains how your character looks and what props you would use.
A brief sentence of context, so your audience understands where in the novel your monologue is
situated.
One line from the book that the character actually says that launches you into your monologue.
A connection to a pivotal theme of the novel
Carefully selected diction that reveals the tone of your piece
Part 2: Analyze your Monologue (20 points)
In two meticulously crafted paragraphs, explain the analytical choices you made while you constructed
and performed this monologue.
Your first paragraph should explain (with evidence from the text) what choices you made in your own
writing. What diction did you use and how did it help convey your tone? What theme emerged as a result of
your monologue and how did you develop it? How does your monologue’s writing develop our understanding
of the source text, The Great Gatsby?
Your second paragraph should explain how your scenic elements contributed to your theme. For instance, if you dressed your character in black but had happy music underscore your monologue, explain how
this paradox enhanced your theme. If you reached out to a black light, instead of a green light as in the text,
what might that symbolically represent?
Example of Interior Monologue Final Assessment:
Part 1: George Wilson
Scene: George Wilson is standing with his shoulders slumped, his eyes looking down about 20 feet ahead. He
is wearing overalls with dirt and grease spots. He’s holding a fancy dog collar. Behind him is a poster of Dr. T.
J. Eckleburg.
Context: This takes place in Chapter 8 when Wilson is talking to Michaelis about Myrtle’s death.
Quote: “I spoke to her,” he muttered, after a long silence. “I told her she might fool me but she couldn’t fool
God.”
George: I always trusted Myrtle, didn’t know I had any reason not to. I always knew I was lucky to get her, but
I thought she loved me. I thought we got along real good. Now I know I was wrong. I missed something. She
always talked about getting a dog, but I told her no because we can’t have dog here. We don’t have a fence and
it would get run over by a train or somebody speeding into New York. He must’ve gave her a dog, and that’s
why she did it.
It ain’t right that she was seeing someone else, but that don’t mean he had to kill her. He didn’t even
stop and it’s not right. God knows, it’s not right. The police won’t do nothing. A man like that who could afford that fancy yellow car. They won’t touch him. It ain’t right.
But I can do something. I can make it right. I can find that car and I can make that monster pay. I could
have worked it out with Myrtle. We could’ve left this godforsaken place and headed West, made a new start.
All I needed was a little cash from Mr. Buchanon’s blue coupe. I know we could’ve done it. I could’ve made
her happy somewhere else. We could buy a nice house in California or somewheres else with a nice backyard
with a fence and, hell, all the dogs she wanted. We could’ve even had Catherine come with us. Myrtle was
always real close with her sister.
But she’s gone now, and it ain’t right. (He looks back at the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg.)
It’s all up to me now. I’m going to find him and I’m going to kill him. That’s only justice, an eye for an
eye. It’s the right thing to do.
Part 2: Analysis
I chose to elaborate on this particular scene because it is where George Wilson decides he needs to take
matters into his own hands rather than let the police do their job. He is so consumed by grief that he can’t see
the folly of his decision. This is one of the themes of the novel, the way unfulfilled dreams can cause destruction. George is so devastated by losing Myrtle that he can’t see that what he is contemplating is murder, just as
wrong as the act he is protesting. I have him repeat himself, saying that it isn’t right, to solidify his resolve and
give him the strength to take action. I also have him use substandard grammar because he is not an educated
man. Tom says of him, “He’s so dumb he doesn’t know he’s alive.” I also have him convince himself that he
and Myrtle would have created a wonderful future out west with the unrealistic idea that Catherine might have
come with them. He says they would even have dogs, as if that were the problem with their marriage. He’s
only fooling himself. At the end he uses God’s justice, the law of Moses, to rationalize what he’s going to do.
I had George wear dirty overalls because that’s what he would wear on the job, and it’s so completely
opposite of the clothing Gatsby or Tom would wear. He’s holding the dog collar because that’s the thing that
“wised him up” to the fact that his wife was seeing someone else, and it creates another contrast--a grease covered mechanic and a diamond studded dog collar. The poster behind him is to intensify the idea that he feels he
is doing God’s work in making the driver of the car pay for his sin.