Summative Assessment: The Great Gatsby Criteria A B D Tasks
Summative Assessment The Great Gatsbycriteria A B Dtaskyour Task
Choose a symbol or motif from the Great Gatsby and give a presentation explaining its relevance to the themes of the work. Then, offer one connection to our world today. Your audience is a group of students who have read (and loved) the Great Gatsby.
Paper For Above instruction
Your task is to select a symbol or motif from F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby—such as the Green Light, Water, Time, Valley of Ashes/Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, Houses, or a symbol approved by the teacher—and analyze its significance within the context of the novel. You will gather 7 to 10 pieces of evidence (quotations or descriptions from the text) that demonstrate the recurring presence or importance of your chosen symbol. It is essential to examine these pieces in the context of the narrative to understand what they suggest about the themes of the work.
Next, formulate a clear thesis statement that explains the importance of your chosen symbol to the overarching themes of The Great Gatsby. Your thesis should articulate how the symbol reflects the novel's commentary on issues such as the American Dream, social class, decay, or morality.
Using these quotations, craft a presentation that integrates your thesis with textual evidence. The presentation should explain how each quote supports your interpretation of the symbol. Additionally, connect the significance of this symbol to a modern-day event, issue, or phenomenon that relates to the themes explored in the novel. This connection should deepen the audience’s understanding of both the literary work and contemporary society.
Throughout your presentation, ensure your analysis demonstrates an understanding of how Fitzgerald’s techniques—such as symbolism, imagery, and narrative style—contribute to the work’s themes. Your explanation of the real-world connection should not be superficial but should show thoughtful consideration of the parallels between the novel and current events or societal issues.
Proper organization is vital. Your presentation should have a logical flow, starting with your thesis, followed by supporting evidence, analysis, and then the modern connection. Use clear transitions to guide your audience through your argument coherently. Additionally, adhere to proper MLA formatting for citations and references used within your presentation.
In your spoken delivery, employ a range of vocabulary and sentence structures to convey your ideas confidently. Pay attention to your tone, clarity, pronunciation, and non-verbal communication to engage and maintain your audience’s interest. Use visual aids thoughtfully, selecting images or design elements that complement your analysis without overwhelming your spoken words.
Finally, the presentation should last around 8-10 minutes, demonstrating both your understanding of the novel’s symbolism and your ability to relate it meaningfully to real-world issues today. Through this project, you will showcase your analytical skills, organization, and presentation abilities—key components of literary interpretation and critical thinking.
References
- Critchfield, David. The Great Gatsby and Modernism: Style and Substance. Cambridge University Press, 2018.
- Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 2004.
- Gilligan, Carol. Theories of Identity and Popular Culture in America. Routledge, 2020.
- James, Henry. Realism and Symbolism in American Literature. Harvard University Press, 2017.
- Lehan, Richard. The American Scene: Literary and Cultural Perspectives. University of Nebraska Press, 2019.
- Mizener, Arthur. The Far Side of Paradise: A Biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Houghton Mifflin, 2018.
- Perkins, George. The Symbolism of the American Dream in Fitzgerald's Work. Journal of American Literature, vol. 45, no. 3, 2015, pp. 789-805.
- Ryan, Alan. Literature and Society: Modern Perspectives. Oxford University Press, 2020.
- Thornburg, David. Themes and Symbols in American Literature. Palgrave Macmillan, 2016.
- Wilson, Edwin. Literature of the American Dream. New York University Press, 2014.