The Great Gatsby: chaper 1

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Goals for today 

Written 'oral' response results 

The expectations and example answers on Monday 25th March

Reconstructing sentences and improving informal vocabulary 

Chapter 1 The Great Gatsby

Rate the word 1 to 4

1. I do not know the word, and I have never seen it before. 

2. I've heard or seen the word before, but I'm not sure what it means. 

3. I know the word and can recognise and understand it while reading, but I probably wouldn't feel comfortable using it in writing or speech. 

4. I know the word well and can use it correctly in writing or speech. 

Eugenics 

Word of the day

Eugentics (n) = The study or practice of attempting to improve the human gene pool by encouraging the reproduction of people considered to have desirable traits and discouraging or preventing the reproduction of people considered to have undesirable traits.

Word of the day

What do you think the Greek root genos means if you consider the meaning of this word?

There was concern that genetic profiling might lead to a form of eugenics, in which parents are told which children they can bring into the world.

birth, give birth or beget.

What is the importance of this to your reading of chapter 1?

What is the importance of this to your reading of chapter 1? 

Write your answer in your exercise book. At least two sentences per answer.

Epigraph 

An epigraph is a literary device in the form of a poem, quotation, or sentence – usually placed at the beginning of a document or a simple piece – having a few sentences, but which belongs to another writer. An epigraph can serve different purposes, such as it can be used as a summary, introduction, example, or an association with some famous literary work, so as to draw a comparison, or to generate a specific context for the piece.

Source: https://literarydevices.net/epigraph/

What does this epigraph suggest? 

What is the narrative point of view?

Which qualities give Nick the potential to be a successful and effective narrator?

Characterisation Nick 

Nick is initially portrayed as the perfect narrator - "inclined to reserve all judgement" pg 7 

He describes himself as tolerant, quiet and a good listener. Others tell him their secrets, so he can narrate to the reader a more complete narrative. "I was privy to the secret griefs of wild, unknown men", "Most of the confidences", "intimate revelations" pg 7 

Which qualities give Nick the potential to be an unsuccessful and unreliable narrator?

Nick Characterisation 

Consider these quotes: 

 " frequently I have feigned sleep, preoccupation, or a hostile levity". pg 7 

"Gatsby, who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn." pg 8 

"then there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life," pg 8 

" after boasting this way of my tolerance, I come to the admission that it has a limit." pg 7 

Write a paragraph discussing the characteristics that would make Nick an unreliable narrator. 

Your paragraph should include at least three pieces of evidence (through quotations) and at least 5 sentences. 

Nick, our narrator 

F.Scott Fitzgerald employs a first-person point of view through the narrator, Nick Carraway, to suggest to the reader an uncertainty in the validity of the narration. There are clear hints that the narrator can be intolerant and judgemental. He admits that he “feigned sleep” (p.7) when people confided in him. Additionally, he views Gatsby’s life with “unaffected scorn” (p.8) and he is  “disgusted”(p.24) by Tom and Daisy’s marriage. ​These comments make the reader less trusting of his narration because they suggest that Nick is dishonest and subjective. Moreover, the narrator  sometimes misreads situations which also makes his narration untrustworthy. He thinks Daisy has everything she wants so he sees in her eyes the “absence of all desire” (p.17). Subsequently it is revealed by Daisy that she has had a  “a very bad time”. (p.21), and it is clear that her marriage is unhappy. The employment of an unreliable narrator at the beginning of the novel can allow the reader to question their interpretation, captivating and intriguing them. 

Narrative technique 

Keep a very careful eye on the use of these narrative techniques. 

First-person 

Third-person 

Reported speech 

Direct speech 

Omniscient/limited omniscient

Seating plan DP1  Lit  HL

board

Window

Door

Nicole, Isabelle, Isla

Bram, Naomi, Sanne

Matthew, Mitch, Maxime

Arina, Emma, Clodagh

Jolye, Naha

Kate, Tommy, Faye

Sruyan, Riddhi, Flynn

Goals for today 

Consideration of Fitzgerald's vocabulary choice 

Importance and introduction of setting 

Character introduction and impact 

Characterisation of Daisy 

Summative paper 1 - 7th October 

Rate the word 1 to 4

1. I do not know the word, and I have never seen it before. 

2. I've heard or seen the word before, but I'm not sure what it means. 

3. I know the word and can recognise and understand it while reading, but I probably wouldn't feel comfortable using it in writing or speech. 

4. I know the word well and can use it correctly in writing or speech. 

Euphoria 

Word of the day

Euphoria(n)- extreme happiness, sometimes more than is reasonable in a particular situation.

What scrambled synonym is this? 

OUNTBJLIAI

The footballer was still in a state of euphoria hours after the match had finished"

jubilation 

Weather and seasons 

Pathetic fallacy 

Seasons and dates

Time of day 

"'In two weeks it'll be the longest day in the year'" p. 17 

"a few days before the Fourth of July" p. 29 

Act 1

Human Experience concepts Literature  

The Great Gatsby 

Human Experience Concepts: 

Belonging    Dreams    Authenticity    Insecurities 

Which concepts are addressed in chapter 1, do you think? 

Rate the word 1 to 4

1. I do not know the word, and I have never seen it before. 

2. I've heard or seen the word before, but I'm not sure what it means. 

3. I know the word and can recognise and understand it while reading, but I probably wouldn't feel comfortable using it in writing or speech. 

4. I know the word well and can use it correctly in writing or speech. 

Abstain 

Word of the day

Abstain (v) - to stop oneself from doing something, to refrain. To hold off from

Write three antonyms for abstain 

A growing number of people are attempting a "Dry January" during which they abstain from alcohol to see if it improves their health. 

continue, accept, embrace, encourage, use, want, meet, face 

I lived at West Egg, the – well, the less fashionable of the two, though this is a most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them. My house was at the very tip of the egg, only fifty yards from the Sound, and squeezed between two huge places that rented for twelve or fifteen thousand a season. The one on my right was a colossal affair by any standard--it was a factual imitation of some Hôtel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool and more than forty acres of lawn and garden. It was Gatsby's mansion. Or rather, as I didn't know Mr. Gatsby it was a mansion inhabited by a gentleman of that name. My own house was an eye-sore, but it was a small eye-sore, and it had been overlooked, so I had a view of the water, a partial view of my neighbour's lawn, and the consoling proximity of millionaires--all for eighty dollars a month. (p.10)

Make a table for the underlined words.

	Definition of the word	Effect that it creates in the given context
Superficial
Sinister
Colossal
Eye-sore
Lawn
consoling
Proximity

	Definition of the word	Effect that it creates in the given context
Superficial	Not complete, involving only the most obvious things and surface inferences.	The implication is that there is an underlying complexity that we do not yet know about.
Sinister	Making you feel that something bad or evil might happen.	The implication is that the underlying complexity might be disastrous for some characters.
Colossal	Extremely large	The connotation is to colossus - a very large statue or person of great size, influence or ability infers that the person who lives in the house is also extremely influential.

	Definition of the word	Effect that it creates in the given context
eye-sore	A building or area that looks ugly in comparison to the surrounding buildings or area.	The repetition of eye-sore places further emphasis on the comparison between the status of Nick and that of Gatsby.
Lawn	An area of grass that is cut.	The implication is that Nick is only of the status to partially view Gatsby's lawn and not actually step on it.
consoling	Making or intending to make someone feel better when they are sad or disappointed.	Nick should be comforted by merely by being close to the nouveau riche.
proximity	The fact of being near something.	Nick should also feel better about his status by living close to the rich and powerful.

And so it happened that on a warm windy evening I drove over to East Egg to see two old friends whom I scarcely knew at all. Their house was even more elaborate than I expected, a cheerful red and white Georgian Colonial mansion overlooking the bay. The lawn started at the beach and ran toward the front door for a quarter of a mile, jumping over sun-dials and brick walks and burning gardens--finally when it reached the house drifting up the side in bright vines as though from the momentum of its run. The front was broken by a line of French windows, glowing now with reflected gold, and wide open to the warm windy afternoon, and Tom Buchanan in riding clothes was standing with his legs apart on the front porch. (p.12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

	Definition of the word	Effect that it creates in the given context
Scarcely
elaborate
Sun-dials
vines
momentum
French windows

	Definition of the word	Effect that it creates in the given context
Scarcely	almost not at all	Emphasises Nick's position as an outsider to the the Buchanan. However, is not entirely correct as he knew Tom at Yale and Daisy is his cousin.
elaborate	containing a lot of careful detail or many detailed parts:	The detail and excessive decoration in Tom's mansion reflect his status and display of wealth.
Sun-dials	a device used outside, especially in the past, that consists of a thin piece of metal attached to a flat surface printed with numbers. It shows the time by the metal making a shadow on the surface as the sun moves across the sky.	The sun is captured to tell the time in Tom's garden. This shows that he is an important person to which attention is paid. Additionally the link to established wealth is shown through the link to the past and antiques.
vines	any type of plant that climbs or grows along the ground and has twisting stems	The vines reflect the establishment of the mansion, hereby linking Tom's mansion to established wealth.
momentum	the quality that keeps an event developing or making progress after it has started	Connotes the idea that this event will be the force that starts the plot. Inciting incident. Adds to the personification.
French windows	a pair of glass doors, usually opening from the back of a house into its garden	The french windows reflect the "gold" and connote with the wealth and importance of the Buchanans (Apollo)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/290130400968662923/

In files in Teams: The Great Gatsby 

Complete the assignment for Tom's mansion 

Complete the assignment for Gatsby's mansion 

In your groups read the introduction of your character

1. which character is being introduced? 

2. What physical aspects of the character are stated?  Annotate these passages and write a mini analysis - 2 sentences. 

3. How does your character speak? Describe the tone of their voice in a mini analysis - 2 sentences.  Annotate passages that show the 'voice' of the character. 

4. Annotate descriptive language, figurative language, imagery, metaphors and similes that are used in the introduction of your character. What connotations are suggested? 

5. What values and beliefs are shown of this character? What does this character believe in? Write down your ideas in at least two sentences. 

Expert groups 

1. One member of your group stays at your table. The other members go to another group that has analysed a different character. 

2.The person who stayed at the table explains to the visitors what they found. 

3. The visitors take notes in their exercise books. 

NOTE 

a) note what your biggest takeaway was from your peer's work. 

Goals for today 

Chapter 1 The Great Gatsby

Characterisation Daisy 

Daisy's concerns and Tom's characterisation 

Chapter 2 setting 

Affixes 

LOC LOQ

Word of the day

Loc or Loq = Latin root that means 'speak' 

Our key word to remember this root is Ventriloquist 

The difference between reality and the brain's perception of reality is what keeps ventriloquists in business.

Rate the word 1 to 4

1. I do not know the word, and I have never seen it before. 

2. I've heard or seen the word before, but I'm not sure what it means. 

3. I know the word and can recognise and understand it while reading, but I probably wouldn't feel comfortable using it in writing or speech. 

4. I know the word well and can use it correctly in writing or speech. 

Loquacious 

Word of the day

Loquacious (adj) - somebody who talks a lot 

Synonyms: chatty, garrulous, verbose, talkative 

Write down two antonyms for loquacious 

In fact, she falls into a small group of patients whom we all see and who are extraordinarily loquacious: they go on, and on and on.

quiet, silent, restrained, untalkative, subdued, taciturn, introverted, uncommunicative 

Expert groups 

1. What was your big takeaway for each character? 
   
2. Put up your annotations and analysis on the wall. 
   
3. Tour the walls 
   
4. Make a hashtag on your sticky note for each character and stick it on the paper for that character. 
   

Connotations
to the word daisy

Daisy characterisation 

Look at the  description of Jordan and Daisy when they are first introduced,  “ they were both in white, and their dresses were rippling and fluttering as if they had just been blown back in after a short flight around the house." pg 13 

"as cool as their white dresses" pg 17 

What are the
connotations of "white"

Daisy characterisation 

It is ironic, given her name, that Daisy’s life is conducted in an entirely manufactured environment remote from the natural world​

Daisy: look at these quotes 

"Do they miss me?’ she cried ecstatically" pg 15 ​

“Then she added irrelevantly: ‘You ought to see the baby.'" Pg 15 ​"All right,’ said Daisy. ‘What’ll we plan?’ She turned to me helplessly: ‘What do people plan?’" pg 17 ​

"impersonal eyes in the absence of all desire." pg 17 

Is Daisy a pleasant person? Why or why not? Write your ideas. 

A bad marriage or her own doing? 

 “I know you didn’t mean to, but you did do it”​ pg 17

“That’s what I get for marrying a brute of a man, a great big hulking physical specimen of a -’​ pg 17 

 “Tom’s got some woman in New York….She might have the decency not to telephone him at dinnertime. Don’t you think?" pg 20 

“Well, I’ve had a very bad time, Nick, and I’m pretty cynical about everything”​ pg 21 

Is Daisy in a bad marriage or did she contribute to her situation? Write your answer. 

Defeatism 

 "'All right,' I said, 'I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.'”​ p. 22 

Daisy therefore clearly believes that society doesn’t value intelligence in women.​

This comment hints that although she ignores Tom’s affair,  and she is upset by it, she believes she would be happier if she were a fool and didn’t realise he was cheating.​

Daisy's problems 

Write a list of the problems that Daisy faces. 

Tom characterisation 

​

 “Now he was a sturdy straw-haired man of thirty, with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner. Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward…..It was a body capable of enormous leverage – a cruel body”​

“….added to the impression of fractiousness he conveyed. There was a touch of paternal contempt in it, even towards people he liked – and there were men at New Haven who hated his guts” pg 12​

Our initial impression of Tom is not positive.​

Read the following extract and make two columns of negative and positive adjectives and adverbs used to describe Tom. Look up words that you do not know. 

1. The Roaring Twenties 

2. The American Dream 

3. Class (old money, new money, no money, established wealth, nouveau riche, poor, upper class, middle class & working (lower)  class

4. Past and future

5. Appearance versus reality