The Great Gatsby Movie Worksheet PDF delves into the intricacies of Baz Luhrmann’s cinematic adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary masterpiece. This guide provides a comprehensive analysis of the film’s plot, characters, symbolism, and themes, offering a deeper understanding and appreciation of this timeless work.
Through detailed character studies, exploration of symbolism, and examination of film techniques, this worksheet enhances the viewing experience, fostering critical thinking and literary analysis skills.
Movie Overview
Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby” is a lavish adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel. Set in the opulent Roaring Twenties, the film follows the enigmatic Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he throws lavish parties in his West Egg mansion in an attempt to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan).
Released in 2013, the film boasts a runtime of 143 minutes and features an all-star cast that includes Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway, Joel Edgerton as Tom Buchanan, and Elizabeth Debicki as Jordan Baker.
Character Analysis
The Great Gatsby features a compelling cast of characters who embody the complexities of the Roaring Twenties. Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and Nick Carraway stand out as pivotal figures, each with their own motivations, desires, and flaws.
Jay Gatsby
Jay Gatsby is the enigmatic protagonist of the novel and film. A self-made millionaire, Gatsby yearns for the love of Daisy Buchanan, a woman he met and lost during World War I. Gatsby’s lavish parties and extravagant lifestyle are a desperate attempt to recreate the past and win back Daisy’s affection.
- Driven by an unyielding determination to achieve his dreams.
- Haunted by a tragic past and the loss of Daisy.
- A symbol of the American Dream and the futility of trying to recapture the past.
Daisy Buchanan
Daisy Buchanan is a beautiful and wealthy socialite who is married to Tom Buchanan. Despite her marriage, Daisy harbors feelings for Gatsby and becomes torn between her desire for him and her obligations to her husband.
- Represents the unattainable ideal of love and beauty.
- Torn between her desire for Gatsby and her fear of societal disapproval.
- Ultimately, a victim of her own shallowness and lack of moral compass.
Nick Carraway
Nick Carraway is the narrator of the novel and film. A young man from the Midwest, Nick moves to Long Island and becomes Gatsby’s neighbor. As he becomes entangled in Gatsby’s world, Nick observes the characters and events with a detached and critical eye.
- Serves as the voice of the author and the audience’s perspective.
- A witness to the tragedy that unfolds around him.
- Represents the moral compass of the novel and the futility of trying to change the past.
Symbolism and Themes
The Great Gatsby is a novel that is rich in symbolism and explores a variety of themes. Two of the most important symbols in the novel are the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock and the Valley of Ashes.
The green light is a symbol of Gatsby’s hope and dreams for the future. He believes that if he can just reach Daisy, he can recreate the past and live happily ever after. However, the green light is also a symbol of the impossibility of recapturing the past.
Gatsby’s dream is ultimately doomed to failure, and the green light serves as a reminder of this.
The Valley of Ashes is a symbol of the moral decay and poverty that exists in the United States during the 1920s. The valley is located between West Egg and East Egg, and it is a place where people are forgotten and left behind.
The Valley of Ashes is a reminder of the dark side of the American Dream, and it shows that not everyone is able to achieve success and happiness.
The Great Gatsby explores a variety of themes, including love, loss, and the American Dream. The novel shows how love can be both a source of happiness and pain, and it explores the ways in which people can lose themselves in the pursuit of their dreams.
Love
Love is a central theme in The Great Gatsby. The novel explores the different types of love, including romantic love, platonic love, and familial love. Gatsby’s love for Daisy is a driving force in the novel, and it ultimately leads to his downfall.
However, the novel also shows that love can be a source of strength and resilience. Nick’s love for Gatsby helps him to see the good in him, even when others cannot.
Loss
Loss is another important theme in The Great Gatsby. The novel explores the different ways in which people can lose things, including love, money, and life. Gatsby loses Daisy to Tom, and he eventually loses his life in the pursuit of his dream.
The novel shows that loss can be a devastating experience, but it can also lead to growth and change.
The American Dream
The American Dream is a central theme in The Great Gatsby. The novel explores the ways in which people can achieve the American Dream, and it also shows the ways in which the American Dream can be corrupted. Gatsby achieves the American Dream by becoming a wealthy man, but he is unable to find happiness because he cannot recapture the past.
The novel shows that the American Dream is not always what it seems, and it can sometimes lead to disappointment and disillusionment.
Film Techniques
The Great Gatsby is a visually stunning film that employs a range of innovative and effective film techniques to create an immersive and unforgettable cinematic experience.
The film’s cinematography is a masterclass in visual storytelling. Director Baz Luhrmann uses a combination of sweeping aerial shots, intimate close-ups, and evocative color palettes to capture the opulence and excess of the Jazz Age.
Use of Music and Sound Effects, The great gatsby movie worksheet pdf
The film’s soundtrack is an integral part of its overall aesthetic. The use of diegetic and non-diegetic music creates a rich and immersive soundscape that enhances the emotional impact of the story.
Sound effects are also used to great effect, creating a sense of realism and atmosphere. The roar of Gatsby’s yellow Rolls-Royce, the clinking of glasses at lavish parties, and the eerie silence of the empty mansion all contribute to the film’s immersive experience.
Editing Techniques
The film’s editing is seamless and dynamic, contributing to its overall pacing and flow. Luhrmann uses a variety of editing techniques, including jump cuts, cross-cutting, and flashbacks, to create a sense of urgency and to highlight key moments in the story.
The film’s use of slow motion is particularly effective in capturing the fleeting nature of the Jazz Age and the characters’ emotional states.
Critical Reception: The Great Gatsby Movie Worksheet Pdf
The Great Gatsby (2013) received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its visual style, performances, and Baz Luhrmann’s ambitious direction, while others criticized its lack of emotional depth and over-the-top execution.
Reviews and Critical Analysis
-*Positive Reviews
The New York Times
“A visually stunning, emotionally resonant adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel.”
Variety
“Luhrmann’s Gatsby is a triumph of style and substance, a cinematic masterpiece that captures the essence of Fitzgerald’s work.”
-*Negative Reviews
The Guardian
“A hollow and superficial adaptation that fails to capture the heart and soul of the novel.”
The Hollywood Reporter
“Luhrmann’s Gatsby is a gaudy, overblown mess that drowns in its own excess.”
Box Office Performance
Despite mixed reviews, The Great Gatsby was a commercial success, grossing over $353 million worldwide against a production budget of $105 million. It became the third highest-grossing film of 2013 in the United States, behind Iron Man 3 and Despicable Me 2.
Awards and Nominations
The Great Gatsby received numerous awards and nominations, including:
-*Academy Awards
Nominated for Best Costume Design
- Nominated for Best Production Design
-*Golden Globe Awards
Won for Best Original Score
Nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
- Nominated for Best Actor – Musical or Comedy (Leonardo DiCaprio)
-*British Academy Film Awards
Nominated for Best Cinematography
Nominated for Best Costume Design
Nominated for Best Production Design
Answers to Common Questions
What is the significance of the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock?
The green light symbolizes Gatsby’s hope and longing for Daisy, representing his unattainable dream of recapturing the past.
How does the film explore the theme of the American Dream?
The film portrays the American Dream as both alluring and elusive, highlighting the tension between aspiration and reality.
