Gatsby Intro

UNIT 1

The Great Gatsby

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WHAT ARE WE GOING TO LEARN?

For nearly 100 years,
Americans have been
examining our society

through the lens of

The Great Gatsby.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO LEARN?

As we read the novel, we'll consider these

essential questions:

How has the American Dream evolved

over the last hundred years?

What makes a novel “great”?

PART 1: EXPLORING A KEY CONCEPT

You’ve heard the phrase

“the American Dream” before.

What does this phrase mean to you?

Answer this question on the next slide.

Open Ended

What does the phrase "the American Dream" mean to you?

PART 1: EXPLORING A KEY CONCEPT

Share your ideas about
“the American Dream”

with the class.

PART 1: EXPLORING A KEY CONCEPT

Merriam-Webster Dictionary says

“the American Dream” is:

● an American social ideal that stresses the idea that all

people should have the same rights and opportunities,
especially in terms of material and financial success

● the financial success or lifestyle that is the realization

of this ideal

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
-Thomas Jefferson

​

PART 1: EXPLORING A KEY CONCEPT

Merriam-Webster Dictionary says

“the American Dream” is:

● an American social ideal that stresses the idea that all

people should have the same rights and opportunities,
especially in terms of material and financial success

● the financial success or lifestyle that is the realization

of this ideal

How does this definition connect to the ideas

that came up during our discussion?

What thoughts do you have in response to this definition?

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO LEARN?

Now let’s take a look at the

thematic ideas you will

consider in this unit.

Poll

People have to choose between wealth and morality.

• Strongly Agree

• Agree

• Disagree

• Strongly Disagree

Poll

People are responsible for what their friends do in their presence.

• Strongly Agree

• Agree

• Disagree

• Strongly Disagree

Poll

People rarely act like their true selves around others.

• Strongly Agree

• Agree

• Disagree

• Strongly Disagree

Poll

The social class a person is born into has no impact on their future success.

• Strongly Agree

• Agree

• Disagree

• Strongly Disagree

Poll

Life without a dream is not worth living.

• Strongly Agree

• Agree

• Disagree

• Strongly Disagree

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Key Terms for Unit 1: The Great Gatsby

The full line of reasoning that a writer uses to support their claim, including supporting points and explanation.

Argument

The statement of what the writer is trying to prove in an essay. Sometimes known as the THESIS

Claim

Careful selection of words to convey a particular message.

Diction

Overstating something for effect.

Exaggeration

A character who contrasts with another character, highlighting their contrasting traits.

Foil

Match

Match the following

• Argument

• Claim

• Diction

• Exaggeration

• Foil

The full line of reasoning that a writer uses to support their claim

The statement that a writer is trying to prove in an essay.

Careful selection of words to convey a particular message.

Acting as if something is more extreme than it really is

A character who contrasts with another character, highlighting their contrasting traits

• The full line of reasoning that a writer uses to support their claim

• The statement that a writer is trying to prove in an essay.

• Careful selection of words to convey a particular message.

• Acting as if something is more extreme than it really is

• A character who contrasts with another character, highlighting their contrasting traits

Details authors provide that hint at an event that will happen later in the story.

Foreshadowing

Vivid description of how something looks, sounds, smells, tastes, or feels.

Imagery

An absurd or extreme difference between the way things are and the way they are expected to be (situational)

Irony

The emotional atmosphere of a narrative. How the READER feels about the story. (Mood=my)

Mood

An essay in which the writer evaluates an artistic work, such as a book, song, or movie

Review

A genre of writing in which the writer humorously criticizes people or ideas to bring attention to their faults

Satire

The time and place in which a narrative takes place.

Setting

The use of signs, shapes, or objects to represent ideas or emotions

Symbolism

The universal meaning or commentary expressed through a work of literature.

Theme

The writer or speaker's attitude towards a subject

Tone

The opposite of exaggeration; acting as if something is less extreme or important than it really is

Understatement