Symbolism in The Great Gatsby and Digital Story Telling
Description
This lesson aims to outline a lesson in which students can use Digital Story Telling to create short videos that demonstrate their understanding of symbolism in Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby.
Symbolism in The Great Gatsby and Digital Story Telling
Symbolism
The Green Light
Symbolizes: Gatsby's dream of a future with Daisy
"But I didn't call to him, for he gave a sudden
intimation that he was content to be alone - he
stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a
curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could
have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I
glanced seaward - and distinguished nothing except
a single green light, minute and far away, that
might have been the end of a dock. When I looked
once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was
alone again in the unquiet darkness." Ch. 1
"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic
future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded
us then, but that's no matter - tomorrow we will run
faster, stretch out our arms farther... And one fine
morning - So we beat on, boats against the current,
borne back ceaselessly into the past." Ch. 9
The Eyes of Doctor T.J.
Eckleburg
Symbolizes: the eyes of God, staring in judgement of America's moral wasteland
"But above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust
which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a
moment, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg..." Ch. 2
"Over the ash heaps the giant eyes of Doctor T.J.
Eckleburg kept their vigil..." Ch. 7
"Standing behind him, Michaelis saw with a shock
that he was looking at the eyes of Doctor T.J.
Eckleburg, which had just emerged, pale and
enormous, from the dissolving night. 'God sees
everything,' repeated Wilson." Ch. 8
The Valley of Ashes (Poverty)
Symbolizes: the suffering and decay resulting from greed
"This is a valley of ashes - a fantastic farm where ashes
grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque
gardens; where ashes take the form of houses and
chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a
transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and
already crumbling through the powdery air." Ch. 2
"The valley of ashes is bounded on one side by a small
foul river, and when the drawbridge is up to let barges
through, the passengers on waiting trains can stare at the
dismal scene for as long as half an hour. There is always a
halt there of at least a minute and it was because of this
that I first met Tom Buchanan's mistress. Ch. 2
Digital Story Telling (DST)
Digital Video Editing
iMovie or Final Cut Pro
Uploading images and videos
representing modern symbols of love,
wealth, and indulgence that mirror
those found in The Great Gatsby
Uploading modern music with
themes that represent those
found in The Great Gatsby
Create a 3-5 minute video that
connects modern symbols of love,
wealth, and indulgence with those
found in The Great Gatsby.
YouTube
Uploading and sharing videos on YouTube
Knowledge of Settings: 1) Public 2) Unlisted 3) Private