Nexus
The link between The Great Gatsby and the history of the 1920s
designed for use in
English 5/6 and U.S. History
San Mateo High School

Theme: Conflicts around power in the '20s
Objective: Students will compare characters in the The Great Gatsby
with historical figures of the '20s in order to understand the
tension around race and difference in the novel and history.

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Look at the links to literary and historical information and the central questions to answer.
  2. Determine if you have read the listed chapters of The Great Gatsby and if you are ready to answer the questions.
  3. Research the answers through the websites linked through each image.
  4. Answer each question on a Microsoft Word document.
  5. E-mail Word document as an attachment to Mr. Johnson. English E-mail: ijohnson@smuhsd.k12.ca.us

Character

Questions

Historical Figure

Jay Gatsby
Chapter 6
Chapter 7

  1. How is each man representative of the "outsider" coming in to threaten the old-money establishment?

  2. How is the method that each man uses to rise to power similar? Explain and cut-and-paste three lines for each man to support your answer.

  3. How successful has the Kennedy Clan been politically since JPK? (Hint: Click the orange dots)

Joseph P.Kennedy Sr.
Kennedy Family Tree
The Sins of the Father
JPK Biography

Character

Questions

Historical Figure

Meyer Wolfsheim
Chapter 4
The "Real" Wolfsheim
Anti-Semitic Stereotypes

  1. In an anti-Semitic mind of the 1920s, how would their infamous act reinforce common stereotypes about their ethnicity? Answer and then cut and paste three lines to support your conclusion.
    (Hint: start with Black Sox History page)

  2. Leaving the ethnic stereotyping aside, how might each man represent all that is corrupt and impure about America or Gatsby? Answer and then cut-and-paste three lines to support your response.

Arnold Rothstein
Black Sox History

Characters

Questions

Historical Figures

Tom Buchanan
Chapter 1
Chapter 7
Chart on beliefs of Anti-Semites

  1. How is Tom espousing Grant's views on ethnicity? Why would these views have been popular among wealthy, white Americans in the '20s? Answer and then cut-and-paste three lines to support your response.

  2. How would both men feel about Muslims in the wake of 9/11/01? Answer and then cut-and-paste three lines to support your response.

  3. What kind of organizations are "G.O.A.L." and "American Renaissance," and why are they hosting information about Madison Grant? What kind of political laws do these websites advocate in today's society? In what ways are these organizations contemporary versions of Tom's fear and racism? Answer and then cut-and-paste three lines to support your response.

stoddard.jpg (4696 bytes)

Madison Grant
Passing of the Great Race
Madison Grant and the Racialist Movement