The Great Gatsby Internet Treasure Hunt
1. F. Scott Fitzgerald
Briefly skim the biography on F. Scott Fitzgerald. List several items that greatly influenced his life and his
writing.
F. Scott Fitzgerald Centenary: Biography.
2. World War I
After the war ended, the economy skyrocketed, making it possible for people to spend more time and money on
leisure activities. After reviewing the websites below, list three major innovations that came out of the WWI
experience.
After the War: List the dominant postwar American attitudes and the major movements of the 1920’s. Pay close
attention to the attitudes of the “Lost Generation” and the “Prosperity & Consumerism” movement.
3. 19th Amendment
What right did women gain from the passage of the 19th Amendment?
4. The Roaring Twenties
List three changes that occurred in 1922 (the year in which the novel is set).
Your answer to the question above may come from the first few paragraphs of the article. You do not need to
read the entire page!
5. 18th Amendment
What exactly does the law prohibit? (paraphrase)
18th Amendment.
Amendment Summary 18th Amendment
The 18th Amendment (1919) to the American Constitution disallowed the "manufacture, sale and transportation" of
liquor within the United States, ushering in the age of prohibition and speakeasies. The amendment was finally nulled
in 1933 with the 21st Amendment
6. Prohibition
To answer the questions for this topic, click here and scroll down to the appropriately titled sections of the
website.
“Prohibition in a Nutshell.” What are the three major elements of Prohibition in the 1920’s?
“Results of Prohibition.” What were the final results of Prohibition? (Hint – read the final line of this paragraph!)
7. Speakeasies
What is a Speakeasy? Based on information you have already collected from previous questions, why do you
think Speakeasies popped up across the country?
Photos
8. Organized Crime & Arnold Rothstein
What's in a Name?: List three elements of Rothstein’s character that interest you. Explain.
The Organizer. Read the quotes at the beginning of this site. What is his primary occupation? What are his
‘sidejobs?’
Did your impression of Rothstein change from one web page to the next? Explain.
9. Flappers
Read the first five paragraphs of the article about “Flapper Jane.” According to the author, what are the essential
elements of being a true flapper?
After reading the article, look at the selected photos of Louise Brooks. Does she fit the ‘Flapper’ profile as
proposed by the author of “Flapper Jane?” Why or why not?
10. Automobiles
Why were cars considered “the most important catalyst for social change in the 1920's?”
Sample cars driven in the 1920’s (includes car ads)
Neo-Classic (meaning “new classics”) autos that’s are built today in the styles of the 20’s and 30’s. The white
and gold car is similar to what Jay Gatsby would have driven.
11. Music
Listen to a few sample recordings of music from the early 1920’s. What is your initial reaction to the music?
Orchestral compositions – Listen to “The Charleston”
Josephine Baker – Listen to “I Love My Baby”
George Gershwin – Listen to “Rhapsody in Blue” (you may recognize it!)
12. 1920’s Slang
On the menu bar at the top of this page, click on “1920’s Slang,” then answer the questions below.
List 5 slang words or phrases and definitions from this site and write them down in your notes.
Why did you choose these terms?
13. Dorothy Parker Poem
Dorothy Parker is a poet most often linked to the 1920’s New York literati scene. She wrote for New Yorker
magazine when it was first started by her friends, and was a fixture at the Algonquin Round Table (hangout of Parker
and her famous friends). She is best known for her caustic wit and cutting poems.
Read Parker’s poem “The Flapper.”
Do you think Ms. Parker approves or disapproves of Flappers? Explain.
14. Drawing Conclusions
Based on the information you have collected from this website, what do you think the plot and setting of The
Great Gatsby will include? What kinds of characters do you expect to encounter in the novel?
Arbizu, Valerie. “The Great Gatsby Internet Treasure Hunt”. Lit Lover@ arbizu.org.
http://www.arbizu.org/~valerie/Teachers/Gatsby/GatsbyTreasureHunt.htm. 6 March 2005.
The Great Gatsby Internet Treasure Hunt
1. F. Scott Fitzgerald
Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Citation: ________________________________________________________________________________________
2. World War I
Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Citation: ________________________________________________________________________________________
3. 19th Amendment
Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Citation: ________________________________________________________________________________________
4. The Roaring Twenties
Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Citation: ________________________________________________________________________________________
5. 18th Amendment
Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Citation: ________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Prohibition
Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Citation: ________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Speakeasies
Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Citation: ________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Organized Crime & Arnold Rothstein
Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Citation: ________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Flappers
Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Citation: ________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Automobiles
Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Citation: ________________________________________________________________________________________
11. Music
Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Citation: ________________________________________________________________________________________
12. 1920’s Slang
Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Citation: ________________________________________________________________________________________
13. Dorothy Parker Poem
Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Citation: ________________________________________________________________________________________
14. Drawing Conclusions
Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Citation: ________________________________________________________________________________________