Mini-Research Presentation-30 points
On the surface, The Great Gatsby is a story of the thwarted love between a man and a
woman. The main theme of the novel, however, encompasses a much larger, less
romantic scope. Though all of its action takes place over a mere few months during the
summer of 1922 and is set in a geographical area in the vicinity of Long Island, New
York, The Great Gatsby questions the continuing validity of the American dream in
post-World War I society.
Fitzgerald portrays the 1920s as an era of decayed social and moral values, evidenced
in its overarching cynicism, greed, and empty pursuit of pleasure. In order to better
understand the social landscape of Fitzgerald’s novel, we will conduct a research
project. Individually or with a small group, choose a topic below. No more than two
groups will be allowed to work on the same topic.
Architecture (homes, Plaza Hotel)
Art (El Greco)
Automobiles
Beauty pageants
Crime & Gangs
Expatriates
Freud
Immigration
Language/slang of the 1920s
Music (Jazz, Sheik of Araby lyrics, Charleston
dance craze)
Photography
Prohibition
Publications (Town Tattle, Follies, Tribune,
Sat. Evening Post,)
Speakeasies
Sports (Golf, Black Sox Scandal, Cricket)
Technology
Women in the 1920’s
Women's and Men's Clothing (fashion)
You and your group members will teach the class about your topic in a five-minute (minimum)
presentation. In your presentation, you will:
1. Describe, define, or show (via PowerPoint or some other visual aide) three or four
interesting facts about this topic.
2. Explain the impact your topic had on society. Who was affected? Why?
3. Propose a statement answering the following question: how did this topic contribute,
positively or negatively, to the pursuit of the American Dream? (Again, who was
affected? How? Why?)
You will answer these questions on a separate piece of paper to turn in to me. (18 points)
In addition, you will present your ad poster to the class. The ad poster must a) incorporate some
element of your mini-research topic, and b) use an emotional appeal as described in your notes.
(12 points)
We will be in the computer lab on ______________.
We will begin presenting on ______________.