Prompt #1: The American Dream
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Write about the American Dream. What is it
and what does it mean to you? What are your
dreams for the future?” Later ask, “If money
was not an issue…What effect would wealth
have upon the dreams that you wrote about
earlier?” How does Gatsby represent the
American dream? What does the novel have
to say about the condition of the American
dream in the 1920s—think about—dreams,
wealth, time and the idea of America.
This needs to be AT LEAST one paragraph.
Prompt #2: Character Reflection
How do you feel about the characters
that you have met in The Great Gatsby
thus far? Do any of the characters
remind you of someone you know? How
have the female characters been
portrayed thus far?
 Write AT LEAST one paragraph.
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Prompt #3: Carelessness
How is carelessness pivotal in the
characters’ lives? How is carelessness
related to childishness?
 Write AT LEAST one paragraph.
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Prompt #4: Symbols
Write about your school mascot. Why is
your mascot a good symbol for the
school? What are some other symbols
of schools or businesses that you can
think of? What symbols would you
choose for the characters in The Great
Gatsby?
 Write AT LEAST one paragraph.
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Prompt #5: Gatsby’s Love
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Would you say that Gatsby’s feelings—
love or obsession? How do you know?
Is his dream worthwhile? Write at least
one paragraph.
Prompt #6: Past Vs. Present
What role does the past play in the
novel? Consider what Gatsby thinks
about recovering the past. Think about
relationships, symbols, and imagery that
suggest time passage. Can we
successfully deny or past, past selves,
experiences? How does Nick emerge
from his experiences with a bitter
understanding of reality?
 Write AT LEAST one paragraph.
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Prompt #7: What makes Gatsby
“Great”?
Discuss Gatsby’s character so far in the
novel. What makes Gatsby “great”? Why
is this title appropriate? Is he heroic or
foolish? Romantic or Realist?
 Write AT LEAST one paragraph.
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Prompt #8: The Women of Gatsby
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Think about the female characters in
“The Great Gatsby.” How are they
portrayed? How do they change
throughout the novel? Do they change?
East Egg vs West Egg Collage
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Fold your paper in half. Label one side “East
Egg” and the other side, “West Egg.” Then,
make a collage of all the things that you feel
represent both sides. Remember the
distinction:
 West-Nouveau Riche; these people work for their
money. They are still wealthy, but they have earned
their wealth
 East-Inherited Wealth; these are the Old Aristocrats
who have earned their wealth. These include the
Buchanans
 For EACH of the pictures you choose, include a
small quote/caption from the book that explains why
you chose that image
 You must have at least 3 images on each side of
your collage.
Prompt #9: A Rotten Crowd
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“They’re a rotten crowd—you’re worth
the whole damn bunch,” Nick tells
Gatsby, do you agree?
Prompt #10: Gatsby & Tom
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Compare and contrast Gatsby and Tom.
How are they alike? How are they
different? Given the extremely negative
light in which Tom is portrayed
throughout the novel, why might Daisy
choose to remain with him instead of
leaving him for Gatsby?
Prompt #11: Eyes
What do people see and not see in the
novel? Reveal and not reveal? Consider
‘blindness,’ vision, mistaken identity, TJ
Eckleberg, Owl Eyes…
 Write at least ONE paragraph with your
response.
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T.J. Eckleburg Billboard

Recall the Valley of Ashes and the large
billboard overlooking the ashy wasteland.
Take a moment and illustrate what images
you thought of when you read about the
Billboard. Then write a brief paragraph
under your illustration describing what you
feel the eyes of the optometrist represent.
Why do the characters continually focus on
those eyes? Why do you think Fitzgerald
includes them in the book? What is life like
for the people who live in the Valley of the
Ashes?