The Great Gatsby Facebook Assignment
Purpose:
The purpose of this activity is to embody a character from the novel. This means
you must make your Facebook profile reflect one of the characters in the novel as much
as possible. If there is information not present in the book, such as the character’s date of
birth, make an educated guess. For example, if the setting is 1922 and these adults seem
to be in their early to mid thirties, when were they born? Write the answer down in your
profile. This exercise is to demonstrate your knowledge/understanding of the plot and,
especially, Fitzgerald’s development of the following literary techniques:
Characterization;
Themes;
Symbols.
Assignment:
Working in groups, create a Facebook profile that resembles a Facebook page as much
as possible for one of the following characters: Nick Carraway, Jay Gatsby, Tom
Buchanan, Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker, Mr. (George) Wilson, Mrs. Wilson (Myrtle),
or Catherine. Avoid other characters in the novel, such as the butlers, Owl Eyes, etc., but
they can be included in the “Friends” list.
You can choose to create this facebook profile using:
a) a bristol/poster board;
b) an offline web page (an HTML document that resembles Facebook but is not
connected to any online servers)
c) an electronic graphical representation
On the profile you must indicate:
1) A profile photograph. You may draw, dress up and take a photograph of yourself,
have someone else dress up, or find a photograph of someone (either from a magazine, or
the internet or screenshots of the film version) [K/U]. Just make sure the photograph
reflects the physical traits of the character you are embodying.
2) A photo album encompassing photographs of the character’s friends. If your character
does not seem to have any friends implement photographs of the people your character
has encountered in the novel [K/U]. Under every photograph write a brief caption. This
caption must be a quotation from the character (something the character has said in the
novel). With the caption provide the quotation’s corresponding page number [Ap].
3) An information section indicating the character’s date of birth, relationship status (ex:
“single and looking,” “married,” “engaged,” “single,” etc.), the city where they live and if
they have any children [K/U]. You also must include your character’s favourite
quotation. The quotation must be from another text or a billboard or modern movie, etc.,
that you think your particular character would like. You must also explain the reasoning
behind choosing this quotation [Ap]. . Make sure to indicate where you found the
character’s favourite quotation.
4) In a section which says, “write something about yourself,” you need to include
information regarding your relationships with other characters, if you’re in conflict with
anyone, and what you think about other characters [K/U].
5) In a box which says, “what’s on your mind?,” you should record your thoughts
regarding something you wish to know about another character, or your
predictions/speculations as to what will occur next in the plot or hope to see next in the
plot. Explain your reasoning [Ap]. Regarding the plot, make an educated guess based
on your knowledge of the character you are embodying.
6) In a box entitled “themes” you should indicate the themes or topics that we have
encountered in the novel thus far. With every theme provide an example from the novel
that supports the theme. Make sure to indicate the corresponding page number [T/I].
7) In a box entitled “symbols” indicate at least three symbols (only one Egg village
permissible). Find three supporting quotations for each symbol (i.e. nine quotations).
Make sure to analyze/discuss the meaning of the symbol and how Fitzgerald uses it.
8) In a section of wall posts, have posts from other characters that actively reflect the
situations of these characters in the novel. Here you can do what you wish as long as it
relates to the novel in some way [K/U]. For example, you can have Myrtle posting a
message on Nick’s wall, saying “Nick!…thanks for coming to the apartment…Oh…and
what happened between Tom and I…no worries.” Or, “Oh I just need to vent, my
husband…he doesn’t even deserve that title…he’s not even fit to lick my shoe…oh…I
can’t wait until I can leave permanently!!” You can also “tag” a few characters in a
photograph and post it on your wall.
9) Since you are working in groups you must write an extra paragraph indicating who did
what in your group and how the work was shared. You will also be asked to complete a
confidential peer evaluation.
10) Be prepared to justify your choices and present your assignment in front of the class.
NOTE: Make sure your Facebook profile reflects the character. You will be giving
away marks if there appears to be little or no connection between the profile and the
character you are embodying!
DUE DATE: