In our increasingly visual society, it is often difficult for some readers to create a mental picture of a picture created only with words. An image-rich text like F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby can therefore, present a real challenge. Help readers make the transition from visual imagery to print by showing the opening of a film version of this classic tale. Discuss imagery used in the scene and then assign individuals a type of imagery. Group learners together according to type of imagery and have them respond to questions. The lesson ends with a paragraph analyzing the director's choices of imagery.

Concepts

film, the great gatsby, f. scott fitzgerald, imagery, literary devices

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

film, imagery, the great gatsby, f. scott fitzgerald, visual media, english language arts

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• For the opening activity, show the opening scenes of both Jack Clayton's 1974 film version of The Great Gatsby and Baz Luhrmann's 2013 version and have groups compare the imagery used in each

Classroom Considerations

• Although designed for use in an AP Literature class, the lesson is appropriate for most classes

Pros

• The activity asks class members to think critically about how writers' choice of syntax and diction evokes the mental pictures that are captured by a film version of the same scene
• Provides writers with an AP-style scoring guide 

Cons

• None

Common Core

W.11-12.1.a SL.11-12.1.a SL.11-12.2