The Dream that Recedes Before Us: The Past and The American Dream in The Great Gatsby

Build background knowledge on the role of money and class in the Roaring Twenties and today.

“F. Scott Fitzgerald: Great American Writer”
“The top 1%: Should wealth have its limits?”

Standards

RI.11-12.2RI.11-12.6

Research Writing

Gather, evaluate, and take notes on sources about assigned research topic.

Standards

W.11-12.7W.11-12.8

Research Writing

Determine subtopics and organization of slideshow presentation.

Standards

W.11-12.2W.11-12.4W.11-12.5W.11-12.7W.11-12.8

Research Writing

Finalize the slideshow presentation and present to classmates.

Standards

SL.11-12.4SL.11-12.5W.11-12.2W.11-12.2.aW.11-12.2.bW.11-12.2.cW.11-12.6

Analyze narration in The Great Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 1, pp. 1–6

Standards

RL.11-12.4RL.11-12.6

Analyze how Fitzgerald uses diction and characterization to portray "old" money.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 1, pp. 7–21

Standards

RL.11-12.3RL.11-12.4

Analyze how Fitzgerald uses setting, narration, and characterization to make a social commentary.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 2, pp. 23–38

Standards

RL.11-12.3RL.11-12.4RL.11-12.6

Analyze Fitzgerald's use of diction to create mood.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 3, pp. 39–59

Standards

L.11-12.5.bRL.11-12.4W.11-12.3.d

Writing

Brainstorm a setting and its details for a mood writing exercise.

Mood Writing Prompt and Criteria for Success
Mood Prewriting Activity (G11, U2, L9)
Mood Prewriting Activity Sample Response (G11, U2, L9)

Standards

RL.11-12.4W.11-12.3.dW.11-12.5

Writing

Create mood through diction and syntax.

Mood Writing Prompt and Criteria for Success

Standards

L.11-12.3L.11-12.3.aW.11-12.10W.11-12.3.dW.11-12.4

Analyze how Fitzgerald develops Gatsby's character using a nonlinear structure.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 4, pp. 61–80

Standards

RL.11-12.3RL.11-12.5RL.11-12.6

Analyze how Fitzgerald uses symbolism and subtext in the reunion scene between Gatsby and Daisy.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 5, pp. 81–96

Standards

RL.11-12.2RL.11-12.4RL.11-12.6

Analyze two editorials for perspectives about the American dream.

“The American Dream Is Alive and Well”
“Is The American Dream Over?”

Standards

RI.11-12.2RI.11-12.6

Analyze how Fitzgerald develops themes about the American dream through Gatsby's past and the conflict between old and new money.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 6, pp. 97–111

Standards

RL.11-12.3RL.11-12.4

Analyze the context of Coates's letter to his son and how it conveys his message about the American dream.

“Excerpt from "Letter to My Son"” — paragraphs 1–7

Standards

RI.11-12.2RI.11-12.6

Analyze how diction and imagery develop Coates's central idea.

“Excerpt from "Letter to My Son"” — paragraphs 8–13

Standards

RI.11-12.2RI.11-12.4RI.11-12.6

Analyze how Fitzgerald develops the climax of The Great Gatsby and makes a gender commentary.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 7, pp. 113–136

Standards

RL.11-12.3RL.11-12.4RL.11-12.5

Analyze how Fitzgerald uses structure and symbolism to develop the novel's climax.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 7, pp. 136–145

Standards

RL.11-12.3RL.11-12.5

Analyze how Fitzgerald uses diction and symbolism to develop themes about the past and the American dream.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 8, pp. 147–162

Standards

RL.11-12.2RL.11-12.4

Analyze symbolism and mood in the final chapter of The Great Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 9, pp. 163–180

Standards

RL.11-12.2RL.11-12.4RL.11-12.5RL.11-12.6

Socratic Seminar

Engage in a Socratic seminar about The Great Gatsby by supporting arguments with strong textual evidence.

The Great Gatsby

Standards

SL.11-12.1.aSL.11-12.1.bSL.11-12.1.cSL.11-12.1.dSL.11-12.4

Performance Task

Prepare for the graphic map performance task by discussing how Fitzgerald uses symbols to develop themes in The Great Gatsby.

Symbolism Tracker (G11, U2)

Standards

L.11-12.5RL.11-12.2SL.11-12.1

Performance Task

Create a plan for the graphic map performance task.

Graphic Map Brainstorm Graphic Organizer (G11, U2, L23)
Mentor Graphic Map and Rationale (G11, U2)

Standards

RL.11-12.2SL.11-12.1W.11-12.5