Diving deep into The Great Gatsby

After more than a decade in the classroom, The Great Gatsby remains one of my absolute favorite novels to teach. It offers a literal buffet of literary elements to analyze, making the unit incredibly rich for students. However, because there are so many intricate pieces to pull apart, it can often feel overwhelming to decide what to prioritize and what to leave behind.

To ensure students never miss a key element, I developed a Chapter-by-Chapter Unit Packet. This resource is designed to support a foundational, surface-level understanding while simultaneously guiding students to "dig deep" into complex analysis—skills specifically aimed at preparing them for the rigors of a post-secondary English classroom.

Phase 1: Building the Foundation

Each chapter packet begins by establishing clear comprehension. Before diving into the "why," students must master the "what" by identifying:

• Key Characters: Tracking motivations and traits.

• Setting(s): Understanding the physical and social geography of West Egg, East Egg, and the Valley of Ashes.

• Plot Events: Identifying the five specific details that drive the narrative forward.

  
  

Phase 2: Activating Critical Thinking

Once the groundwork is laid, students shift from summary to significance. They utilize their critical thinking skills to deconstruct:

• Characterization: Analyzing noteworthy quotes and the actions that define the cast.

• Symbolism & Literary Devices: Moving past "what happened" to explain "why it matters" through close reading.

• Thematic Topics & Perspective: Identifying how the author’s intent and the narrator’s point of view shape the story.

  
  

Teaching Over Testing

This resource is designed to remove the heavy lifting of prep-work, giving you the freedom to focus on what matters most: teaching and providing the targeted feedback necessary to see genuine student growth.

By providing specific sentence minimums and scaffolding, the packet ensures students are digging deep into their analysis rather than skimming the surface.