The Great Gatsby Themes

The Great Gatsby
Chapter 9

​Directions

After reading/listening to Chapter 9, we will take a closer look at some of the text by re-reading and analyzing certain passages. In this final section, we will look more at symbolism and themes of the book, as well as follow up on some conflicts from the middle of the story.
First we will review some basic character & plot info from the chapter.

Multiple Choice

Where did Tom and Daisy Buchanan go?

• Chicago
• Gatsby's funeral
• We don't know.
• France

Multiple Choice

What word best describes Mr. Gatz's feelings about his son?

• proud
• resentful
• curious

• bewildered

Multiple Choice

What did Klipspringer call Gatsby's house for?

• funeral details
• to express his condolences
• a pair of shoes
• his piano

Multiple Choice

Mr. Gatz shows Nick a book that belonged to James (Gatsby) as a child. What did James Gatz's notes in his book indicate about him?

• He was ashamed of his family and upbringing.
• He had goals for himself and was willing to work for them.
• He intended to move away and create a better life for himself.
• His family was struggling financially, and he wanted to help.

Multiple Choice

How does Nick refer to Tom and Daisy at the end of the book?

• arrogant
• deceitful
• careless
• disgraceful

Multiple Choice

True or False?: Nick was able to convince Tom and Daisy to come to Gatsby's funeral.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Klipspringer's excuse for not coming to Gatsby's funeral was because he had to:

• attend a picnic

• go on a business trip

• attend his father's funeral

• participate in a marathon

Multiple Choice

Wolfsheim won't come to Gatsby's funeral because:

• his health is failing him

• he needs to be at his daughter's wedding

• Gatsby burned him on a business deal

• he can't get mixed up in this situation

Multiple Choice

True or False?: Nick didn't invite Jordan to the funeral.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

While arranging Gatsby's funeral, Nick finds evidence of Gatsby's illegal dealings when:

• he receives a mysterious, shady phone call

• a group of mobsters show up at Gatsby's mansion

• a package of contraband shows up on Gatsby's doorstep

• he found a letter that was written in some sort of code

Multiple Choice

Henry Gatz is Gatsby's:

• cousin

• uncle

• father

• long lost son

Multiple Choice

The only party-goer to attend Gatsby's funeral besides Nick was:

• Jordan

• Lucille

• Owl Eyes

• The twins who wore yellow dresses

Multiple Choice

In their last meeting, Jordan tells Nick that she had trusted him, but turns out that he's:

• nothing but a cheapskate

• the worst man she's ever met

• just as careless as she is

• too cold and unfeeling to ever experience love

Multiple Choice

Which character is Nick not happy to run into later on in the chapter after some time has passed?

• Daisy

• Owl Eyes

• Tom

• Jordan

Multiple Choice

True or False?: Gatsby had tried running toward his dream, not realizing it was behind him.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Nick compares people to _______ pushing onward but being borne ceaselessly back into the past.

• airplanes

• cars

• boats

• stampedes of horses

​Evaluating Themes in Literature

Essential Questions

​We looked at these questions before starting the book:

-Is it true that people often deceive others about who they really are?

-Is it hopeless to long for something better?

-What effect does materialism have on relationships and dreams?

-How powerful can one person be (when talking about their impact on others)?

How to Write a Theme Statement

6. “selflessness” = theme “Selflessness paves the way for people to love you more than selfishness does.” = theme statement










Adapted from: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/theme-statement

1.  What does writer believe?

   1. what the author wishes they made the clearest to their readers

2. Be descriptive.

   1. theme will tell you something insightful about human nature, but don't place a moral on it

3. Look for changes in the characters.

4. Look for nuance.

5. Be Concise.

Let's think about some characters and events from the story, and see if we can write theme statements from our essential questions.

Categorize

Options (6)

Gatsby

Daisy

Jordan

Tom

Myrtle

Nick

Which of these characters hide behind a mask and why?

Mask-achieve their dream

Mask-look good in society

Authentic-can do/say what they want

Authentic-Genuine person

Open Ended

Is it true that people often deceive others about who they really are?

Think about what the author wants us to understand about the idea of hiding behind a mask.

Write a theme statement.

Match

Match the following characters to their "American Dream."

• Gatsby

• Nick

• Tom

• Daisy

• Jordan

Daisy, return to the way things were

Start a new life in New York

Seek wealth and status

Live a carefree, material life

Independence and freedom

• Daisy, return to the way things were

• Start a new life in New York

• Seek wealth and status

• Live a carefree, material life

• Independence and freedom

Open Ended

Is it hopeless to long for something better?

Think about what the author wants us to understand about the idea of the American Dream.

Write a theme statement.

Categorize

Options (9)

Tom

Daisy

Jordan

Nick

Myrtle

Gatsby

Wolfsheim

George

Catherine

Which characters are obsessed with material wealth and why?

Yes-status they've always enjoyed

Yes-status they want

Yes-businessperson

No-

Open Ended

What effect does materialism have on human relationships and their dreams?

Think about what the author wants us to understand about the idea of materialism.

Write a theme statement.

Match

Match the following character to the people they have influence over.

• Gatsby

• Tom

• Nick

• Daisy

Party guests, Nick, Daisy

Daisy, Myrtle, Nick, Jordan, Gatsby

Only the people who care what they think

Gatsby, Jordan

• Party guests, Nick, Daisy

• Daisy, Myrtle, Nick, Jordan, Gatsby

• Only the people who care what they think

• Gatsby, Jordan

Open Ended

How powerful can one person be (when talking about their impact on others)?

Think about what the author wants us to understand about the idea of personal power.

Write a theme statement.