Interviewing a

Stepping into the shoes of a character helps to understand Fitzgerald’s characterization; it

will assist you in analyzing the character’s thoughts, words, actions, and emotions.

Character
STEP ONE: In pairs, decide on a character you want to examine.
STEP TWO: Decide on which of you will act the part of the
character, and which will play the role of interviewer.
Character Selected: Your CHARACTER
NICK TOM DAISY GATSBY JORDAN Role:
INTERVIEWER

STEP THREE: Spend time examining the text, focusing on your selected character’s actions, words, and emotions. Make
notes below. If you are the character, jot down all that you can infer about the character. If you are the
interviewer, write down a list of possible questions for the character.

IMPORTANT QUOTATIONS
I: hello gatsby, how are you?
G: I am good thanks, how about you?
I: I am good too, I have a few questions for you?
G: Sure, go ahead!
I: With the relationship you have with daisy, what did you feel about her daughter?
G: When I first saw her, I couldn’t believe that she existed. I was stunned. I didn’t want
to accept that this was Tom’s and Daisy’s child.
I:While you were going to Daisy’s house, didn’t you hesitate that Tom was going to be
suspicious about your relationship?
G: I never accepted the fact that Tom and Daisy were in a relationship. I never truly
cared, I always thought of her being with me. Even if I was in the military, we never
stopped to love each other.
I: But If she truly loved you, she would’ve waited for you, wouldn’t she?
G: She did love me. But it was all Tom that got her mind. He played with her mind and
confused her.
I: Besides Tom, you know that Daisy married him for his money. By knowing that, why
would you want to still be with her?
G: She is my faith. I can’t give up on her. This question doesn’t even make sense?!
I: Why do you think Tom accused you about your past, not going to Oxford etc.?
G: You know why, he is jealous of me and daisy truly being in love. He wants to be me!
He wants to have the life that I have and the relationship with daisy!
I: You keep denying, can you actually prove that you did these in the past?
G: Don’t you remember the photo I showed you? I did everything to prove myself! It’s
not my problem that they keep digging and trying to find something!
I: okay, it’s enough for me. I have a final question. Isn’t it a big deal to take over a
blame that someone else did?
G: It wasn’t anyone, It was Daisy. I would do anything for her. She didn’t do it on
purpose so she doesn’t have to be blamed for it.
I: Well, thank you for the interview, see you next time!
G: My pleasure, see you.

STEP FOUR: Now conduct the interview! Remember to stay in character.

AFTER THE ACTIVITY: Reflect on the activity by answering the questions below.
What did you learn about the How does Fitzgerald indirectly What did you find challenging
character? List three things. characterize him/her? about the activity?

- The obsession he has with daisy According to gatsby’s character, his

- Lying about his past -He talks about his true life by Tom’s
answers were mostly pointing out to
- Living his life by illegal works speech. When Gatsby and Tom were
daisy, so it was hard to search for
arguing, Tom learned about gatsby’s true life
different answers.
and he told daisy.

Tnet
Grea
Gatsby
F. Scott
Fitzgerald

© STACEY LLOYD 2018