3. Purpose, Background, and Context

Lesson Plan

Propaganda on Prohibition

Using Sound Clips

1. Grade Level indicator

Grade level- 11

3. Purpose, Background, and Context

Students are reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. To understand the setting of the text, students will study the 1920’s specifically in connection to Prohibition and the 18th amendment. Students will have read up through Chp.4 of the text and be able to analyze the behaviors of the various characters at the party.

4. Goals/Objectives/Student Outcomes/Performance Expectations

5. Materials

List of characters in chapter four:

-Characters are wealthy, celebrities, criminals, or our “every-

man” Nick.

Link to an interview with the author:

Jazz music (background)

http://www.loc.gov/jukebox/recordings/detail/id/6980

6. Procedures

*Jazz music playing in background.

1. Find chapter four characters and analyze how they seem to be reacting to the era of Prohibition.

Discuss: How does each character’s traits influence their view of prohibition?

How did they get around the law?

WHY did they get around prohibition?

2. Use list of Chp. 4 quotes to analyze views for/against prohibition.

3. Find your own quotes from the text to determine author’s and character’s views.

4. After reviewing character views, determine the political affiliation of each of the above political cartoons.

Discuss: What is the cartoon saying?

Who is involved?

How would it affect American opinions on Prohibition?

5. Watch the youtube video about F.Scott Fitzgerald. Analyze and determine his view of Prohibition.

6. Listen with intent to the jazz music examples.

Discuss: What feelings, thoughts, impressions does it imply about the 20’s and

prohibition?

How is this type of music being used a propaganda tool?

7. End class with the following writing prompt:

The prohibition movement was about more than getting Americans to stop

drinking. What other social issues were linked to this movement? What

socio-economic group had the most interest in seeing Prohibition succeed?

Why?

7. Assessment of Outcomes

-discussions

-essay

8. Extensions and Adaptations

-Discuss why prohibition was repealed?

- Use the previous day’s writing prompt to discuss other social issues linked to prohibition; then tie those into The Great Gatsby. Where do we see it? How is it show?

-How did the 1920’s lead to the Great Depression in the 1930’s?

- Final exam essay: Is The Great Gatsby a type of propaganda created by F. Scott Fitzgerald urging Americans to analyze the government’s attempt at control?