Creative Project for The Great Gatsby

Directions. Choose one of the following projects to complete and submit no later than Tuesday, May 12th.
As this assignment will count as a test grade, I expect professional, high-quality work.

1. Illustrate the inside and outside of Jay Gatsby’s mansion. You must have six colorful illustrated details from the text
reflected in your representation. Consider creating a diorama or other three-dimensional representation. Incorporate at
least six quotations from the novel to justify your representation (if your project is three-dimensional, you may submit
the six required quotations on a separate sheet of paper.

2. After examining the geography of New York, draw a map of the settings in The Great Gatsby. Include all of the
following: East Egg, West Egg, Gatsby’s mansion, Nick’s house, the Buchanan’s House, Long Island Sound, the
Valley of Ashes, The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleberg billboard, the railroad tracks, Wilson’s garage, Manhattan
(NYC), and Tom/Myrtle’s apartment. Hint: Go to Google Images and search for “1920’s Maps” to get a better idea
of how to create an authentic looking document.

3. Create a cover page of a gossip magazine similar to the one at Myrtle and Tom’s apartment in the city, Town Tattler.
Include at least five pieces of gossip about Gatsby, for example, the rumors about him killing a man and/or being a
bootlegger, his affair with Daisy, his “wild” parties, etc. Additionally, include references to at least three famous
historical people or events from the early 1920s. The cover of your magazine must be professional (so, if you’re not
the world’s best artist, create your magazine cover electronically). Include a minimum of five, colorful visuals. Hint:
Go to Google Images and search for “1920’s Gossip Magazines” to get a better idea of how to create an authentic
looking document.

4. Plan one of Gatsby’s parties. Include a three-course menu that includes food and drinks, entertainment, appropriate
attire, decorations, and a sample invitation. Compile your work creatively on a colorful poster or in a binder. This
project option will require you to do a few brief searches on Google for popular foods and (illegal) beverages in the
1920’s, the names of popular entertainers in the 1920’s (you might also find some of these names in chapter three of
the novel), examples of “fancy” attire for men and women in the 1920’s, art deco decorations, and formal
“traditional” party invitations (including information that is typically included on a formal party invitation).

5. Draw a portrait of one of the following characters: Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan,
Jordan Baker, Myrtle Wilson, or George Wilson. Include at least three descriptive quotations from the novel to justify
your representation. If art is not your forte, do not choose this option! You will lose points for portraits that are not
professional and aesthetically pleasing.

6. You are producing a movie version of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Hoping for a multi-million dollar
blockbuster, you want to assemble a “dream cast” for your movie by choosing contemporary actors and actress best
suited for each of the following roles: Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan, Jordan Baker,
Myrtle Wilson, George Wilson, Meyer Wolfsheim, and “Owl-Eyes.” Then, design a colorful, professional movie
poster advertising your film. Be sure to include a rating for your film and your name as the movie’s director. Search
Google Images for examples of movie posters from the 1920’s so your final product has an authentic look. Finally,
write a minimum of two sentences explaining why you chose the actors you did for each of the roles. (Do NOT
choose anyone from the Leonardo DiCaprio movie version)

7. Choose a color: gold, silver, white, green, grey, blue, pink, or red. Explore the symbolism of the color (what the color
often symbolizes in literature, movies, etc). For example, white often symbolizes innocence and purity. Consider what
Fitzgerald describes as being white. Create a (visual) collage of the items that are described in The Great Gatsby as
being the particular color you chose. Include a one and half to two page essay explaining a symbolic interpretation of
your chosen color.

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 *Please remember that this project counts as a TEST GRADE. I will NOT accept late work under ANY circumstances.
Do your absolute BEST work, and submit it ON TIME. Be professional, creative, and have fun!*
Additional Information and Helpful Hints
HELPFUL HINTS FOR COMPLETING YOUR PROJECT
When searching for images for inspiration for any of the project options, go to Google Images and try some of these
keywords in the search bar:
 Roaring Twenties  1920’s Gossip Magazines
 1920’s Style  Town Tattle
 1920’s Movie Posters  1920’s Sample Menu

GRADING INFORMATION
As you can see from the details on the reverse side of this page, some of these project options require more time
and effort than others. I will ABSOLUTELY be taking this into consideration when grading. I strongly encourage
all students to challenge themselves by choosing a more complex assignment.

Remember, test grades comprise 60% of your average in this class. The grade you get on this project is based
entirely on how much time and effort you put into it – so choose wisely and manage your time appropriately.
Please note that you will not be getting any time in class to work on this assignment, and remember that NONE of
these project options can be completed in one night. DO NOT save this assignment until the last minute, or your
work will reflect your lack of effort and your grade will undoubtedly suffer.

Please consult the rubric below for the specific criteria that will be used to grade your assignment.

RUBRIC FOR THE GREAT GATSBY CREATIVE PROJECT

GRADE LITERARY CONTENT HISTORICAL CONTENT AESTHETIC APPEAL
 Piece is original and expresses  Piece integrates several aspects  Attention to detail, design and
complexity of thought of history materials reflect extensive effort
90-100  6+ literary references made  Is well-researched and accurate and creativity
 Reflects genuine understanding  Reflects genuine understanding  Goes above and beyond required
of the novel of 1920’s/novel’s setting elements

 Piece is original and expresses  Piece integrates 5-6 aspects of

 Attention to detail, design and
thought history
materials reflect effort and
80-89  5-6 literary references made  Is researched and accurate
creativity
 Reflects clear understanding of  Reflects clear understanding of
 Includes all required elements
the novel 1920’s/novel’s setting

 Piece integrates 3-5 aspects of  Attention to detail, design and

 Piece is original
history materials reflect some effort and
 3-4 literary references made
70-79  Reflects basic understanding of
 Is mostly accurate creativity
 Reflects basic understanding of  May be missing one required
the novel
1920’s/novel’s setting element

 Piece integrates 1-2 aspects of

 Piece is lacking originality
 1-2 literary references made
60-69  Reflects inadequate
understanding of the novel
 Attention to detail, design and
history
materials reflect little effort and
 Is inaccurate
 Reflects inadequate
creativity
 May be missing two or three
understanding of 1920’s/novel’s
required elements
setting

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  Piece is lacking originality  Attention to detail, design and
 Piece does not integrate history
 No literary references made or materials reflect minimal effort
 Is inaccurate
50-59 references made are irrelevant
 Reflects poor understanding of
and creativity
 Reflects poor understanding of  May be missing more than three
1920’s/novel’s
the novel required elements

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