Introduction
Standards addressed:
ELACC11-12RI7: Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented indifferent media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem.
ELACC11-12W2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
ELACC11-12W7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
ELACC11-12W9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
ELACC11-12SL4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range or formal and informal tasks.
Task
Create a power point, poster, or news article explaining your findings on each topic in your own words taking care to show how the events of the Early Modern Period (1910-1930) shaped F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
Process
World War I
After the war ended, the economy skyrocketed, making it possible for people to spend more time and money on leisure activities. Note the major innovations that came out of the WWI experience.
http://home.earthlink.net/~gfeldmeth/lec.1920s.html
What are 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.
The Roaring 20s
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1922
Read about the events of the year 1922 in which the novel is set.
Prohibition
http://www.huffenglish.com/gatsby/speakeasies.html
“Flapper Jane”
What is a “flapper”? What does she wear? Why?
https://web.archive.org/web/20120903044638/http://faculty.pittstate.edu/~knichols/flapperjane.html
Automobiles
Read about the rise of the automobile. Automobiles will play an important role in the novel. Why do you think that is?http://www.huffenglish.com/gatsby/automobiles.html
The Big Cheese
http://www.huffenglish.com/gatsby/slang.html
Take a look at some 1920’s slang. How can you incorporate this in your assignment?
The Films
2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=c_3bob4nPdM
1926
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rARN6agiW7o
Conclusion
Now that you've learned about the Early Modern period, make a conjecture about what will happen in the novel. What kinds of characters do you expect to encounter?
