How do I revise The Great Gatsby for OCR A-Level?

Integrate close language analysis with wider thematic arguments; always support points with precise textual evidence.

What exam tips are there for The Great Gatsby? (2)

When discussing the American Dream, explore both its idealistic allure and its inevitable corruption within the novel's moral framework.

What exam tips are there for The Great Gatsby? (3)

Compare characters not just by traits but by their symbolic representation of societal forces (e.g., Tom as old money, Gatsby as new money).

What mistakes should I avoid in The Great Gatsby?

Treating Nick Carraway as a fully reliable narrator without acknowledging his subjective judgments and emotional involvement.

What are common errors in The Great Gatsby exams? (2)

Oversimplifying Gatsby as a purely romantic hero, neglecting his obsessive, criminal, and self-deluding traits.

The Great Gatsby

OCR

A-Level

This subtopic examines F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby', focusing on its critique of the American Dream, the moral decay of 1920s society, and the narrative complexity of Nick Carraway's perspective. Students analyse its rich symbolism, characterisation, and modernist techniques to assess its enduring relevance.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for detailed analysis of key symbols (e.g., green light, valley of ashes) linked to themes of hope and decay.
Credit for evaluating Fitzgerald's use of first-person narrative, including Nick's biases, omissions, and his role as both participant and moral compass.
Reward identification of literary techniques (irony, paradox, lyrical prose) that convey the hollowness of wealth and the tragedy of Gatsby's dream.
Credit for making perceptive connections between the novel's historical context (Jazz Age, Prohibition) and its thematic concerns.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award credit for detailed analysis of key symbols (e.g., green light, valley of ashes) linked to themes of hope and decay.
Credit for evaluating Fitzgerald's use of first-person narrative, including Nick's biases, omissions, and his role as both participant and moral compass.
Reward identification of literary techniques (irony, paradox, lyrical prose) that convey the hollowness of wealth and the tragedy of Gatsby's dream.
Credit for making perceptive connections between the novel's historical context (Jazz Age, Prohibition) and its thematic concerns.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Integrate close language analysis with wider thematic arguments; always support points with precise textual evidence.
💡When discussing the American Dream, explore both its idealistic allure and its inevitable corruption within the novel's moral framework.
💡Compare characters not just by traits but by their symbolic representation of societal forces (e.g., Tom as old money, Gatsby as new money).
💡Plan essays to address the question's topic, authorial method, and reader response, ensuring a balanced argument.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Treating Nick Carraway as a fully reliable narrator without acknowledging his subjective judgments and emotional involvement.
Oversimplifying Gatsby as a purely romantic hero, neglecting his obsessive, criminal, and self-deluding traits.
Failing to link symbolic elements to character development and thematic progression, leading to superficial analysis.
Ignoring the significance of minor characters (e.g., Jordan Baker, Meyer Wolfsheim) in reinforcing central themes.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

The corruption of the American Dream

The hollowness of the upper class

The power of illusion vs. reality

The role of the past in shaping identity

Narrative perspective and unreliability

Symbolism and imagery (e.g., green light, eyes of T.J. Eckleburg)

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

The Great Gatsby

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Key Terminology

Ready to test yourself?

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