Analysing effective endings in Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'
I can explain and analyse the effectiveness of the ending to 'The Great Gatsby'.
Analysing effective endings in Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'
I can explain and analyse the effectiveness of the ending to 'The Great Gatsby'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Arguably, an effective ending either offers a resolution or ends in ambiguity with unanswered questions.
- The ending of 'The Great Gatsby' shows us that Gatsby's dream of his life and future wasn't reached.
- We might interpret the ending of 'The Great Gatsby' as suggesting that we are all striving for something we can't reach.
- Fitzgerald's use of repeated sounds might reflect the idea that we are trying to move forward with no progression.
- The symbolism of the morning might depict the idea of a new beginning that is cut off.
Keywords
Recede - go or move back or further away from a previous position; gradually diminish
Ambiguous - open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning
Elude - (of an achievement or something desired) fail to be achieve by someone
Resolution - the process of solving or ending a problem or disagreement
Paradox - a statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth
Common misconception
That the ending of a text isn't as important as the story itself.
The ending of a text defines the story - it offers resolution or poses questions and can impact the way we see characters and the way we interpret the overall meaning of a story.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Analysing effective endings in Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Analysing effective endings in Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the Fiction: books that changed my world unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
The ending to F.Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' can be found in the additional materials.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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