New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Analysing effective endings in Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'

I can explain and analyse the effectiveness of the ending to 'The Great Gatsby'.

New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Analysing effective endings in Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'

I can explain and analyse the effectiveness of the ending to 'The Great Gatsby'.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Arguably, an effective ending either offers a resolution or ends in ambiguity with unanswered questions.
  2. The ending of 'The Great Gatsby' shows us that Gatsby's dream of his life and future wasn't reached.
  3. We might interpret the ending of 'The Great Gatsby' as suggesting that we are all striving for something we can't reach.
  4. Fitzgerald's use of repeated sounds might reflect the idea that we are trying to move forward with no progression.
  5. 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.

It would be useful to discuss the plot and main themes of 'The Great Gatsby' before this lesson.
Teacher tip

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

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
'A figure of speech that involves comparing two things using the verb "to be"' is the definition of a .
Correct Answer: metaphor
Q2.
'The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities' is the definition of .
Correct Answer: symbolism
Q3.
Which of the following is the definition of ambiguous?
something that has a concrete meaning
Correct answer: something that has an unclear meaning
something that has negative connotations
Q4.
'The process of solving or ending a problem or disagreement' is the definition of which word beginning with 'r'?
Correct Answer: resolution, resolve
Q5.
Which of the following is the definition of a paradox?
Correct answer: a seemingly self-contradictory statement
attribution of human emotions to nature or inanimate objects
a set of words grouped by a common theme
the fact of two contrasting things being seen or placed close together
Q6.
'The recurrence of similar-sounding consonants in close proximity' is the definition of which of the following?
Correct answer: consonance
assonance
euphony

6 Questions

Q1.
The ending of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' shows which of the following?
that Gatsby did achieve his dream
Correct answer: that Gatsby did not achieve his dream
that Gatsby gave up on his dream
Q2.
'Go or move back or further away from a previous position; gradually diminish' is the definition of which word beginning with 'r'?
Correct Answer: recede, recedes, receding
Q3.
Fitzgerald's use of a double dash after "morning" in the ending of 'The Great Gatsby' implies which of the following?
the continuation of the hopeful image
Correct answer: the pausing of the hopeful image
the success of the hopeful image
Q4.
'(Of an achievement or something desired) fail to be achieved by someone' is the definition of which word beginning with 'e'?
Correct Answer: elude, eludes, eluding
Q5.
In Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby', the final line states that the boats are " back ceaselessly".
Correct Answer: "borne"
Q6.
An ending where the writer leaves unanswered questions is known as an ending.
Correct Answer: ambiguous

Additional material

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