Narrative Writing on The Great Gatsby
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chose details, and well-structured event sequences.
Select ONE of the three prompts below as the topic of your Narrative Essay on The Great Gatsby.
1. Through my eyes
The entire novel is told from the perspective of Nick Carraway; he is telling the story the way he sees it. Choose one incident from the book and retell it from the perspective of one of the other characters. That means, you will rewrite the incident as if the other character is telling the story and sharing his or her view. For example, an event in the novel from Tom Buchanan's point of view would be very different than the event as told by Nick Carrraway. You would be writing as if Tom was talking and expressing his side of the event.
Your retelling of the event should be at least one but no more than two pages long (12 point double-spaced).
PLANNING GUIDE
Answering the following questions should provide you with a good deal of specific detail to include in your narration. If you cannot answer these questions well enough to generate considerable detail for your writing, then you should consider working with another character. Remember, you are answering the questions as if the character you selected is speaking. YOU WILL NOT TURN THESE QUESTIONS IN.
- How do you feel about the way you acted at the time of the incident? Was your response appropriate? Why or Why not?
- Looking back, how do you feel about this event? Do you understand it differently now than you did then?
- What do your actions at the time of the incident say about the kind of person you were then? In what ways are your different now? How would you respond to the same incident if it occurred now?
- How would you summarize your current feelings?
- Are your feelings settled, or do they seem to be changing?
2. What happens next?
What happens to Nick when he returns to the Midwest? Write an original story showing Nick Carroway 10 years in the future when his is into his 30's. Speak through his voice and assume his role as the narrator. Think of how he has changed after his time with Gatsby, Tom and Daisy, Jordan and the tragedies he observed.
Your continuation of the story should be at least one but no more than two pages long (12 point double-spaced).
3. Write a new ending?
Not happy with the way the story ended? This is your chance to rewrite the ending. Come up with a new end to the story. Where would our characters be if Daisy never hit Myrtle or Wilson hadn't shot Gatsby? Be as creative as you can, but stay true to the themes and tone of the original text.
Your new ending should be at least one but no more than two pages long (12 point double-spaced).