After a close reading and annotation of the opening paragraph of Chapter 2, answer each of the following questions on your own paper. Be sure to follow the format that includes your answer, evidence, and commentary for each response.
- How is personification used in the first
sentence?
- What are the connotations of the phrase “valley
of ashes”?
- What is the effect of the alliterative “fantastic
farm” and the fact that this area is even called a “farm”?
- What is the effect of the simile in the second
sentence? Why would Fitzgerald
choose this particular thing with which to compare the ashes?
- How are the “men” portrayed in this paragraph?
- Explain what color predominates in this paragraph?
- What is Fitzgerald implying about the men by his
use of the verb “swarm”?
- What two totally opposite things is Fitzgerald
contrasting in this paragraph? How
does this contrast help develop one of the main themes of this novel?
Vocabulary Test Lists 27 & 28 tomorrow.
