The Great Gatsby
Before, During, and After Lesson Plan
Chapter II
Before Reading:
Journal Write (5-7 minutes) - Have students respond to the following question:
Write about a time when you were forced to go somewhere you didn’t want to go.
Or, better yet, write about a time you ended up in a place you knew you really
shouldn’t be, but you couldn’t do very much about it.
Response Time:
Call on a few students to share their story. If students are reluctant share one of
your own. Here is mine:
I did a study abroad a couple of years ago in Paris. We usually had the weekends
free while we were there so we could travel to different places. I had always
wanted to go to London, and had purchased a Chunnel pass to visit London before
I even left Utah. Once I got there, different people had different schedules and so
I didn’t know who I was going with. Well, one of the study abroad rules at BYU
is that you must travel with at least two other people if you are staying overnight
anywhere. So, towards the middle of my time in Paris, I made friends with a
couple of girls and we decided to go to London together. Unfortunately, they had
already bought plane tickets to fly to London. “No big deal,” we thought. “We
can meet up in London.” In my head, I thought the train station and the airport
were right next to each other anyway. So, the night before, my friend Whitney
gave me her cell phone just in case of emergencies. I didn’t feel really great about
breaking the rules, but I knew we would be fine. Well, just as I was arriving in
London the next morning, I got a phone call from Whitney saying that there had
been an accident on the subway that morning and they had been stuck for 45
minutes and missed their flight so they were going to be late. We still didn’t set
up a meeting place, because they would just call me when they got there. Well,
right after that, my cell phone battery died. I had no way to reach them, and I was
all alone in London. I had never been there, and I didn’t know a solitary soul.
Introduction to Reading:
Today, we are going to read more about our friends Daisy, Nick and Tom, and I
want you to think about a couple of things as you read Chapter II. First, are any of
the characters in the wrong place at the wrong time? Do they get in trouble? Also,
you will meet Myrtle in this chapter, and I want you to watch her behavior
carefully. To that end, I have a few questions for you to answer as you read. You
don’t necessarily have to write in complete sentences, I just want some good
examples from the text for each question.
During Reading:
Amanda Bishop, 2006
As you read Chapter II, answer the following questions about the characters and
descriptions. Do not be overly concerned with grammar and punctuation—just make sure
that you can understand your own thoughts.
1. Read the first three paragraphs. Count how many times the words “ash” or “ashes”
are used. Write the number down. Then, see how many other words you can find that
relate to ashes or dust. Write them below. As you read this chapter, look for more
words that relate to things that have been burned.
2. Sketch a quick picture of what you think the “Valley of Ashes” might look like—
don’t forget Dr. T.J. Eckleburg.
3. Note the behavior of Myrtle Wilson. Make a list of what she buys and how she
behaves. How does it change from when she is at the garage to in New York?
4. Which characters do you think are in the wrong place at the wrong time, if any?
Why?
After Reading:
Amanda Bishop, 2006
(This might have to be done the next day, depending on how long the reading takes.)
Divide students into groups of two or three. Have them discuss the following questions
and jot down a few notes from their discussion on the back of their reading guide.
Remember, I am not looking for a correct answer. I am not sure there is one. I just want
to know what you think about these things.
1. Why do you think the description of the ash at the beginning of Chapter 2 is
important?
2. What do you think Tom sees in Myrtle? What do you think Myrtle sees in Tom? Are
they the better for their association with each other?
3. Do you think Tom will marry Myrtle, in spite of Daisy’s religion? Why or why not?
4. Tell me your opinion of Myrtle.
Amanda Bishop, 2006