An Introduction to The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:
an open examination of social commentary in American literature
THE Jazz Age Novel
The American Dream in Fitzgerald's Era:
Setting: Summer of 1922, Long Island and New York City
Plot revolves around Jay Gatsby, however, the narrator is Nick Carraway. The novel is written in the persona of Nick; therefore, you get only his point-of-view with some important flashbacks.
Themes
Dreams vs. Reality
The American Dream
Class conflict (upper and lower)
East vs. West
Innocence vs. Experience
Essential Question
What are the different ways our culture measures success?
Self Reliance
Through hard work, courage and determination, one can achieve financial and personal success.
These principles are formed from various events in our country's history:
Declaration of Independence: life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
American Revolutionary War: land ownership and investment.
Industrial Revolution: possibility of anyone achieving wealth and the nouveau rich.
Gold Rush--individualism and self-
reliance
"United" States
The American Dream unifies us all as Americans despite our racial, religious, and socio-economic diversity. This concept also connets us to our historical past as well as our generations of the future.
What has the American Dream become?
Some believe that it has led to an emphasis on material wealth as a measure of success and/or happiness.

You will be analyzing Fitzgerald's argument about the American Dream as you read the novel.
Main Characters
Nick Carraway--narrator
Jay Gatsby--title character
Daisy Buchanan--Nick's cousin
Tom Buchanan--Daisy's husband
Jordan Baker--Daisy's childhood friend
George and Myrtle Wilson--married couple who own a garage
Symbols
The green light
The Valley of Ashes
The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg