The Great Gatsby

Gr 9 Up–A story of love, power, and money set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties. Jay Gatsby, a rich entrepreneur, harbors a dream of a woman he knew many years ago, Daisy Buchanan. At the time he was a poor solider, unable to compete with the monied men she associated with. Since leaving her to serve in the First World War, he has dedicated his life to making enough money to win her back, even though she is now married to someone else. Told through the eyes of Daisy’s cousin, Nick Carraway, this tale is a profound definition of the loss of the American dream and a successful ironic drama. Fitzgerald utilizes a tightly knit narrative structure in which all extraneous material is avoided, and his use of careful juxtaposition increases the dramatic effect. With a narrator who feels compelled to judge himself and the other characters, the whole is more realistic and believable. The book explores the corruption of American idealism by materialism, love, friendship, loyalty, hypocrisy, and wealth’s destructiveness. A snapshot of a glamorous era built on reinvention and hidden motivations, this book takes on different dimensions after each reading, making it ripe for discussion and analyses. There are myriad ways readers can unpack the characters and their aspirations or intentions. Though almost 100 years old, readers will see the traps laid in our own society and build connections.