The Great Gatsby - Ch. 1 Close Reading and Analysis

The Great Gatsby
Chapter 1

Close Reading and Analysis

​Directions

After reading/listening to Chapter 1, we will take a closer look at some of the text by re-reading and analyzing certain passages. Make sure to fully follow all directions as stated. Remember to use correct grammar throughout the assignment and write in complete sentences. (punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure, etc.)

Open Ended

How do you feel about Nick (the narrator) so far in the text? What from the text makes you feel this way?

(Use the following sentence stems: I feel that Nick is _________, I feel this way because in the text _________________.)

Quick Vocabulary Review

​Context Clues

Context clues are hints in the surrounding text that a reader can use to infer the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Context clues can also help readers better understand figurative language, which writers use for descriptive effect rather than literal meaning.

A reader can also analyze context clues to distinguish the denotation, or the literal definition of a word, and its connotation, or the associations and emotions that words evoke.

A direct specific meaning as distinct from an implied or associated idea (completely absent of emotion). (From Merriam-Webster)

Example: the word "blue" by definition is a color.

​Denotation

The suggesting of a meaning by a word apart from the thing it explicitly names or describes. This can be positive, negative, or neutral (think feelings). (From Merriam-Webster)

Example: rich, loaded, privileged, wealthy, affluent

​Connotation

Connotation vs. Denotation

Now we're going to practice identifying these terms being used in the next few questions. The text being used is NOT from Gatsby.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the definition for CONNOTATION?

• text that provides a clue to the meaning of a word through a cause-and-effect relationship

• the literal or dictionary definition of a word

• an idea or feeling that a word suggests in addition to its literal or primary meaning

• 
  expressions used for descriptive or rhetorical effect that are not literally true but that express some truth beyond the literal level

Multiple Choice

Which word uses the following definition:

the literal or dictionary definition of a word

• Connotation

• Context Clue

• Denotation

• Figurative Language

Multiple Choice

Read the notification excerpt from 3,822 Miles by Rick Bass, paying attention to the boldfaced terms. Using context clues, choose a synonym for each of the boldfaced words that best reflects nuances in meaning and connotation.

First word: "unbounded"

• bordered

• limitless

Multiple Choice

Read the notification excerpt from 3,822 Miles by Rick Bass, paying attention to the boldfaced terms. Using context clues, choose a synonym for each of the boldfaced words that best reflects nuances in meaning and connotation.

Second word: "frontier"

• settlement

• wilderness

​Chapter 1 Questions & Analysis

The next questions come from The Great Gatsby.

Draw

Use the tools to HIGHLIGHT or UNDERLINE the connotative words and phrases in the passage posted next to this task.

Open Ended

Reading the passage again, answer the following question using complete sentences and correct grammar:

How does Fitzgerald (the author - not Nick the narrator) want us to feel about Tom Buchanan based on these word and phrase choices?

Open Ended

Daisy says the best thing a girl can be is a beautiful little fool. Why is Daisy RIGHT about this statement?

(Use this sentence starter: Daisy is right because___________)

Open Ended

Daisy says the best thing a girl can be is a beautiful little fool. Why is Daisy WRONG about this statement?

(Use this sentence starter: Daisy is wrong because___________)

Here Nick is seeing Gatsby for himself for the first time. Consider the following:
- Referring to him as a figure and not a man
-First action to look at the stars
-Coming from the shadows
-Gatsby vanishing

​

Reread this section

Open Ended

Notice that Gatsby is a "figure," not a 'man'. Why would Fitzgerald make that choice?

Open Ended

Notice that his first action is to look up at the stars. Why would Fitzgerald make that choice?

Open Ended

Notice that he comes from the shadows. Why would the author make that choice?

Open Ended

Gatsby has a habit of vanishing. In almost every chapter he disappears. Why would the author make that choice?