The Great Gatsby Lesson Plan

Tracking Symbols

Kind of Activity:

Artistic Response

Objective:

To understand the major symbols used by Fitzgerald throughout the novel.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.10 ; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.3

Structure:

In this two-day activity, students will analyze the symbols that they find most compelling in the novel and translate that analysis into an artistic rendering.

Begin by choosing a symbol to delve into as a class, such as the green light on Daisy's dock or the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckelburg. Prompt the students to come up with symbols to discuss and choose one that interests them. Explore when and where the object (or color, person, etc.) comes up, what it...