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.
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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