Lesson 1: Introduction to the Jazz Age
We start with context — the roaring 1920s, prohibition, flappers, and the American Dream. You'll understand the world Gatsby lived in before you even meet him.
Lesson 2: Narration and Perspective
Who's telling this story? We analyse Nick Carraway as our narrator and explore whether we can trust him. This includes character mapping and perspective-taking exercises.
Lesson 3: Symbolism
This is where it gets deep. The Valley of Ashes, those haunting eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg — what do they really mean? We break it all down with visual demonstrations.
Lesson 4: Gatsby's Parties
Wealth, illusion, and loneliness. We explore the extravagant parties and what they reveal about 1920s excess — with vocabulary for describing luxury and activities comparing then and now.
Lesson 5: The American Dream
From James Gatz to Jay Gatsby — we trace his transformation and ask the big question: Did he achieve the American Dream, or was it all an illusion? Includes grammar on past perfect tense for storytelling.
Lesson 6: Love and Obsession
Is it true love or dangerous obsession? We analyse Gatsby and Daisy's relationship with emotion vocabulary and debate activities. That famous "shirts scene"? We unpack it.
Lesson 7: Class and Social Hierarchy
Old money versus new money. East Egg versus West Egg. Why can't Gatsby ever really belong? We visualise the social pyramid and analyse Tom's class-based attacks.
Lesson 8: The Tragedy
Old money versus new money. East Egg versus West Egg. Why can't Gatsby ever really belong? We visualise the social pyramid and analyse Tom's class-based attacks.
Lesson 9: The Ending and Fitzgerald's Message
That empty funeral. Those final, haunting lines about boats against the current. What is Fitzgerald really saying about dreams, the past, and American society?
Lesson 10: Review and Assessment
A fun review game format, complete character and theme summaries, and three different assessment options depending on your level — essay, analysis, or creative response.