ENG+3U+ISU+Novel+Study+for+Gatsby

**Independent Novel Study**

On this page you will find the expectations for your ISU novel study.

**Objective:**
 * To read a novel that relates to the core novel, //**The Great Gatsby**//.
 * Write 3 reading responses to your chosen novel in which you examine such things as theme, character, setting, and style.
 * Graphic Organizer: To show your understanding of a comparison and contrast of the two novels through a graphic organizer (Concept Map).
 * Cumulative Activity: To show your understanding of the characters in the novel by reflecting on the events of the novel from a different perspective.
 * Essay: To show your understanding of a comparison and contrast of the two novels through a formal analytical literary essay.

**Novel Choice**

The novel you study is your choice, but it must: A) relate in some way to The Great Gatsby **//(probably thematic)//** and B) be approved of by the teacher. I will provide you with both a list of thematic ideas as well as a list of related novels here. Further, I will have a small (20-30 books) library in the classroom should you be unable to secure your own copy of a novel.

**Thematic Approaches to //The Great Gatsby//**

The following are themes found in the novel //The Great Gatsby//


 * The failure of the American Dream
 * Upper Class Materialism
 * The power of a great love
 * Great wealth vs. class
 * The absence of religion
 * The consequences of deception
 * Disillusionment with society

Choices: The rule for chosing a novel is that you must have the novel approved by me. I have a small library of books to chose from. However, if these books do not appeal to you, you may pick from the list below. The following novels are appropriate choices to use as a comparison to Gatsby. These are links to the Amazon pages. This does not mean that you have to buy the book. Some of the books on the list I have copies of. Some are actually old enough to be in the public domain and can be acquired electronically for free. Be sure to check out the free avenue before purchasing anything, and please don't tell your parents I said you have to buy a particular book.

[|The Sun Also Rises - Hemingway] [|A Farewell to Arms - Hemingway] [|The Beautiful and Damned - F. Scott Fitzgerald] [|This Side of Paradise - F. Scott Fitzgerald] [|Tender is the Night - F. Scott Fitzgerald] [|On the Road - Jack Kerouac] [|The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde] [|The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath] [|The Razor's Edge - W. Somerset Maughan] [|The Wars - Timothy Findley] [|The Good Soldier - Ford Maddox Ford]

**Reading Responses**: Each reading response will be one page, typed in the MLA style. Each should start with a concise summary of the plot. This summary should be no longer than one paragraph. The summary is to be followed by an examination of the language and style of the novel. Here you will consider things like imagery, word choice, charater, setting, theme, and any other literary devices. The next paragraph will include your personal reflections on the reading. Here consider your opinions about characters and action of the plot. You should also try to make connections between the world of the novel, your world, and the world in general. Finally, you will end each response with 3 important questions for which you will provide possible answers.

Evaluation: Each response will be given a level grade assigned to the Communication category.

**Concept Map**: A concept map will help you demonstrate your understanding of the connections between the two novels. It will be essential in preparing for your essay.

From : What is a Concept Map? by Alberto J. Cañas & Joseph D. Novak: Concept maps are graphical tools for organizing and representing knowledge. They include concepts, usually enclosed in circles or boxes of some type, and relationships between concepts indicated by a connecting line linking two concepts. Words on the line, referred to as linking words or linking phrases, specify the relationship between the two concepts.

You concept map may be hand drawn or created using one of the graphic organizer programs online, such as bubbl.us or creately.com. You could combine images and other types of graphic organizer in your concept map. You should also include colour. Your map could focus on examining the theme of the two novel, characters, setting, imagery, or any combination of these.

Evaluation: A rubric for creating concept maps will be used.



**Cumulative Activity**

**Here is the Rubric for the Cumulative Activity. You are to chose a character from the novel and write a first-person narrative which displays that character's perspective of a major event from the novel. Your final draft will be handed in using MLA format and including a Statement of Purpose. In your Statement of Purpose you are to explain why you chose the character and the specific event you narrate.**