We are going to look at writers of Post-Modernism (or Contemporary
Literature( - those writers who wrote after WWII. We will look at beat
poetry (Ginsberg, Corso, Diane di Prima, Amiri Baraka, Jack Kerouac),
and writers of the 60s (James Baldwin, others) and some more recent writers (Toni Morrison).
POSTMODERNISM: Itsmaincharacteristicsinclude
anti-authoritarianism, or refusal to recognize the authority of any
single style or definition of what art should be; and the collapsing of
the distinction between high culture and mass or popular culture, and
between art and everyday life. Fragmentation, dark humor and author
self-referencing are characteristics of postmodernism as is the idea
that there is no single truth.
Today we are going to review for tomorrow's test. I changed the poetry section just a little:
C) Be able
to discuss the following: "Helen" by H.D.,
"Harlem" by Langston Hughes, "If We Must Die" by Claude McKay and "My City" by James Weldon Johnson and "This is Just to
Say" by William Carlos Williams.
A ) Make sure you can
discuss the symbolism in "Hills Like White Elephants" - reread the text if you need to.
B) Make sure you can
discuss what in going on in "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" - who
the main character is and the main theme of the poem.
C) Be able
to discuss the following: "Poetry" by Marianne Moore, "Helen" by H.D.,
"Harlem" by Langston Hughes, "Station in the Metro" by Erza Pound,
"Anyone Live in a Pretty How Town" by e.e. cumming, "This is Just to
Say" by William Carlos Williams.
D) Harlem Renaissance Writers
The Great Gatsby
Things to KNOW
1)
2)Outline the main plot
3)List five the rumors
4)MOTIFS – explain the following and how it works
in the overall meaning of the text: TIME, Car Crashes,
5)SYMBOLS- explain the following and how they work
in the overall meaning of the novel: Eyes of Eckleburg, Green Light, Settings, Daisy’s voice
6)Characters: Nick, Jordan, Tom, Daisy, Gatsby,
Klipspringer, Wilson, Owl Eyes, Myrtle, Mr. and Mrs. Sloan, Mr. Gatz, Dan Cody,
Mr. and Mrs. McKee
7)Quotes
8)List all the dreams/illusions of the characters
in Gatsby
9)Allusions – KNOW AT LEAST FIVE ALLUSIONS and be
able to discuss their importance
10)Classes – discuss the different classes and there
representatives in Gatsby
11)THEMES: The Death of the American Dream; The
Roaring Twenties; Time – The Meaning of Time; Social Classes and Social
Structure in America
12)Meaning
of characters names.
1)List three symbols from the novel and briefly in
a few sentences discuss what they mean in relation to one of the major themes.
2)Who is the dynamic character and how does he
change?
3)List for settings in the novel (be exact) and
discuss the purpose of each setting.
4)Exactly when does the novel begin and when does
it end?
5)List the importance of the following
characters.Why are they important to
the novel?
DAISY:
GEORGE WILSON:
TOM:
MYRTLE:
OWL EYES:
JORDAN:
6)Outline the main plot (give at least 3 events in
the rising action)
7)What are some ways (at least five) that Jay Gatz
reinvented himself as Jay Gatsby?
8)List and discuss one major theme from the novel
and give examples of scenes that reinforce the idea.
9)Who is the protagonist of the novel?And make an argument using examples to back
this idea up.
FOR THE FOLLOWING QUOTATIONS NAME
THE SPEAKER:
10)“Nowadays people begin by sneering at family
life and family institutions and next they’ll throw everything overboard and
have intermarriage between black and white”
_____________________
11)If it wasn’t for the mist we could see your home
across the bay.You always have a green
light that burns all night at the end of the dock.”
______________________
12)“It’s really his wife that’s keeping them
apart.She’s a catholic and they don’t
believe in divorce.”
______________________
13)“Let us learn to show our friendship for a man
when he is alive and not after he is dead.”
______________________
14)“What’ll we plan?What do people plan?”
______________________
15)“I’ve been drunk for about a week now, and I
thought it might sober me up to sit in a library.”
_______________________
16)“You said a bad driver was only safe until she
met another bad driver?Well, I met
another bad driver didn’t I?”
______________________
Possible Short Answer Questions
Many plays and novels use contrasting places (for example, two countries, two
cities or towns, two houses, or the land and the sea) to represent opposed forces or
ideas that are central to the meaning of the work.
Choose
a novel or a play that contrasts two such places. Explaining how the
places differ, what each place represents, and how their
contrast contributes to the meaning of the work.
In a novel or play, a confidant (male) or a confidante (female) is a character, often
a friend or relative of the hero or heroine, whose role is to be present when the
hero or heroine needs a sympathetic listener to confide in. Frequently the result is,
as Henry James remarked, that the confidant or confidante can be as much “the
reader’s friend as the protagonist’s.” However, the author sometimes uses this
character for other purposes as well.
Choose a confidant or confidante discuss the various ways this character functions
in the work.
Novels
and plays often include scenes of weddings, funerals, parties, and
other
social occasions. Such scenes may reveal the values of the characters
and the
society in which they live. Select a novel or play that includes such a
scene and discuss the contribution the scene makes to the meaning of the
work as a whole.
Today we will talk briefly about Zora Neale Hurston and move on to
page 878. We will read Langston Hughes (do questions 1-3, 7 on 885) and
James Weldon Johnson and Claude McKay (do questions 1-3, 5 and 8 on page
891).
THINGS TO KNOW FOR THE TEST:
A ) Make sure you can
discuss the symbolism in "Hills Like White Elephants" - reread the text if you need to.
B) Make sure you can
discuss what in going on in "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" - who
the main character is and the main theme of the poem.
C) Be able
to discuss the following: "Poetry" by Marianne Moore, "Helen" by H.D.,
"Harlem" by Langston Hughes, "Station in the Metro" by Erza Pound,
"Anyone Live in a Pretty How Town" by e.e. cumming, "This is Just to
Say" by William Carlos Williams.
D) Harlem Renaissance Writers
The Great Gatsby
Things to KNOW
1)
2)Outline the main plot
3)List five the rumors
4)MOTIFS – explain the following and how it works
in the overall meaning of the text: TIME, Car Crashes,
5)SYMBOLS- explain the following and how they work
in the overall meaning of the novel: Eyes of Eckleburg, Green Light, Settings, Daisy’s voice
6)Characters: Nick, Jordan, Tom, Daisy, Gatsby,
Klipspringer, Wilson, Owl Eyes, Myrtle, Mr. and Mrs. Sloan, Mr. Gatz, Dan Cody,
Mr. and Mrs. McKee
7)Quotes
8)List all the dreams/illusions of the characters
in Gatsby
9)Allusions – KNOW AT LEAST FIVE ALLUSIONS and be
able to discuss their importance
10)Classes – discuss the different classes and there
representatives in Gatsby
11)THEMES: The Death of the American Dream; The
Roaring Twenties; Time – The Meaning of Time; Social Classes and Social
Structure in America
12)Meaning
of characters names.
1)List three symbols from the novel and briefly in
a few sentences discuss what they mean in relation to one of the major themes.
2)Who is the dynamic character and how does he
change?
3)List for settings in the novel (be exact) and
discuss the purpose of each setting.
4)Exactly when does the novel begin and when does
it end?
5)List the importance of the following
characters.Why are they important to
the novel?
DAISY:
GEORGE WILSON:
TOM:
MYRTLE:
OWL EYES:
JORDAN:
6)Outline the main plot (give at least 3 events in
the rising action)
7)What are some ways (at least five) that Jay Gatz
reinvented himself as Jay Gatsby?
8)List and discuss one major theme from the novel
and give examples of scenes that reinforce the idea.
9)Who is the protagonist of the novel?And make an argument using examples to back
this idea up.
FOR THE FOLLOWING QUOTATIONS NAME
THE SPEAKER:
10)“Nowadays people begin by sneering at family
life and family institutions and next they’ll throw everything overboard and
have intermarriage between black and white”
_____________________
11)If it wasn’t for the mist we could see your home
across the bay.You always have a green
light that burns all night at the end of the dock.”
______________________
12)“It’s really his wife that’s keeping them
apart.She’s a catholic and they don’t
believe in divorce.”
______________________
13)“Let us learn to show our friendship for a man
when he is alive and not after he is dead.”
______________________
14)“What’ll we plan?What do people plan?”
______________________
15)“I’ve been drunk for about a week now, and I
thought it might sober me up to sit in a library.”
_______________________
16)“You said a bad driver was only safe until she
met another bad driver?Well, I met
another bad driver didn’t I?”
______________________
Possible Short Answer Questions
Many plays and novels use contrasting places (for example, two countries, two
cities or towns, two houses, or the land and the sea) to represent opposed forces or
ideas that are central to the meaning of the work.
Choose
a novel or a play that contrasts two such places. Explaining how the
places differ, what each place represents, and how their
contrast contributes to the meaning of the work.
In a novel or play, a confidant (male) or a confidante (female) is a character, often
a friend or relative of the hero or heroine, whose role is to be present when the
hero or heroine needs a sympathetic listener to confide in. Frequently the result is,
as Henry James remarked, that the confidant or confidante can be as much “the
reader’s friend as the protagonist’s.” However, the author sometimes uses this
character for other purposes as well.
Choose a confidant or confidante discuss the various ways this character functions
in the work.
Novels
and plays often include scenes of weddings, funerals, parties, and
other
social occasions. Such scenes may reveal the values of the characters
and the
society in which they live. Select a novel or play that includes such a
scene and discuss the contribution the scene makes to the meaning of the
work as a whole.
Today we will review chapter 9 and The Great Gatsby as a whole. Tomorrow we will move onto the Harlem Renaissance.
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the unit students will be able to
1) Define character development, irony, metaphor, personification, subplot, atmosphere and allusion and symbol 2) List all the characters that appear in the novel and describe their physical appearance, motivations, social class. 3) List various allusions and foreshadows and discuss what they mean in relation to plot. 4) List the various types of conflict that occur throughout the novel and discuss who the conflicts are between. 5) Keep a journal that outlines each chapter by listing setting (if applicable), characters, conflicts, and summaries. 6) List three themes and in a paragraph or more discuss how these themes work in the novel. 7)
In an essay of a page or more discuss how Fitzgerald uses particular
images or characters as symbols and discuss how these symbols reflect
larger themes or ideas in the novel. 8) Outline the character development (inward change) of various characters (to be mentioned later). 9) List and outline four subplots in either novel. 10) List and outline the central plot. 11) In a paragraph or more discuss how social class or social problems fit in the novel and relate them to conflict and theme. 12) Pick out two or three examples of similes and/or metaphors and in a paragraph discuss how they are used. 13) Given a quotation identify the speaker.
THE GREAT GATSBY FINAL (Questions 1-25 are worth 3 pts each)
1)List three symbols from the novel and briefly in
a few sentences discuss what they mean in relation to one of the major themes.
2)Who is the dynamic character and how does he
change?
3)List for settings in the novel (be exact) and
discuss the purpose of each setting.
4)Exactly when does the novel begin and when does
it end?
5)List the importance of the following
characters.Why are they important to
the novel?
DAISY:
GEORGE WILSON:
TOM:
MYRTLE:
OWL EYES:
JORDAN:
6)Outline the main plot (give at least 3 events in
the rising action)
7)What are some ways (at least five) that Jay Gatz
reinvented himself as Jay Gatsby?
8)List and discuss one major theme from the novel
and give examples of scenes that reinforce the idea.
9)Who is the protagonist of the novel?And make an argument using examples to back
this idea up.
FOR THE FOLLOWING QUOTATIONS NAME
THE SPEAKER:
10)“Nowadays people begin by sneering at family
life and family institutions and next they’ll throw everything overboard and
have intermarriage between black and white”
_____________________
11)If it wasn’t for the mist we could see your home
across the bay.You always have a green
light that burns all night at the end of the dock.”
______________________
12)“It’s really his wife that’s keeping them
apart.She’s a catholic and they don’t
believe in divorce.”
______________________
13)“Let us learn to show our friendship for a man
when he is alive and not after he is dead.”
______________________
14)“What’ll we plan?What do people plan?”
______________________
15)“I’ve been drunk for about a week now, and I
thought it might sober me up to sit in a library.”
_______________________
16)“You said a bad driver was only safe until she
met another bad driver?Well, I met
another bad driver didn’t I?”
Today we are going to read Erza Pound, H.D., William Carlos
Williams, e. e. cummings, Marianne Moore, and Edna St. Vincent Millay.
Open your textbooks to page 952.
Homework: questions 1-2, 4 on page 958; and, 1-3 and 6 on page 967.
Tomorrow we will read "Hills Like White Elephants" by Hemingway.
Today we are going to discuss the ending of chapter 5 and look at chapter 6. Note - tomorrow we will be taking a short break from The Great Gatsby and returning to other Modernist texts, so bring your large textbooks.
My notes from chapter 4:
Rumor #4 - "He's bootlegger"
Rumor #5 - "One time he killed a man who had found out that he was nephew to Von Hindenburg and second cousin to the devil."
Nick
has a timetable effective July 5th 1922. It is an old timetable now,
but on it he had written all the names of people that came to Gatsby's
parties. Within the list are tales of drunks (and fights), names of
history (Stonewall Jackson Abrams, Mrs. Ulysses Swett), and people from
the movies. Mrs. Ulysses S. Swett's automoblie runs over Ripley Snells
hand (another automobile accident).
There is also Klipspringer. Known as "the boarder" because he is at Gatsby's house so often.
One
morning in late July, Gatsby comes to ask Nick to lunch. There's a big
description of Gatsby's car: "a rich cream color, bright with nickel,
swollen here and there in its monstrous length with triumphant
hat-boxes...terraced with a labyrinth of wind-shields that mirrored a
dozen suns." (this is important)
On the way to town,
Gatsby tells Nick his back story: 1) Gatsby went to Oxford. "It's a
family tradition." 2) His family is from the mid-West and all died.
3) He lived in all the capitals of Europe as a young man. 4) He was a
1st lieutenant in the war and in the Argonne Forest took "two
machine-gun detachments so far forward that there was a half-mile gap on
either side of us..." He became a war hero and won a medal from
Montenegro. (Question: how much of this is truth?)
On
the way to town, the police stop him and Gatsby waves a Christmas card
from the Police Commissioner. The cop apologizes and Gatsby continues.
At
lunch Nick meets Mr. Wolfsheim. Mr. Wolfsheim relates the murder at
the old Metropole (allusion) and talks about how he made Gatsby (that is
after Gatsby takes a phone call). Wolfsheim has cuff buttons made from
human molars. After Wolfsheim leaves, Gatsby explains to Nick that
Wolfsheim is a gambler, the man who fixed the 1919 World Series
(allusion to Arnold Rothstein).
Gatsby wants Nick to talk to Jordan about something he'd like Nick to do for him.
Later,
Jordan tells Nick the back story of Gatsby and Daisy. We learn that
Daisy's maiden name is Fay. (Fay is a fairy. Think of Daisy's voice.
It can also be the female version of faith. Gatsby faith in his dream.
Both work here).
Daisy, like a lot of young girls,
entertain men heading off for war. She meets Gatsby who is nearby at
Camp Taylor and the two fall for each other. She's even found to be
"packing her bag...to go to New York to say good-by to a soldier who was
going overseas" (Gatsby). After the Armistice, she had her debut (or
coming out party - a Southern tradition) and was soon engaged to Tom
Buchanan of Chicago. Tom gave Daisy a string of pearls valued at
$350,000 (in 1919). Compare this necklace to the dog collar of Myrtle.
Similar thing going on, but one is worth more.
She
received a letter from Gatsby the night of the marriage and gets "drunk
as a monkey". She tells Jordan to take the necklace "down-stairs and
give 'em back to whoever they belong to. Tell 'em Daisy's change her
mind."
Daisy gets married the next day to Tom anyway.
For
a while everything is fine, until in Santa Barbara "Tom ran into a
wagon on the Ventura road one night, and ripped a front wheel off his
car. The girl who was with him got into the papers, too, because her
arm was broken - she was one of the chambermaids in the Santa Barbara
Hotel." (Two things here 1) This is one of Tom's other affairs; and 2)
Another car wreck).
THE GREAT GATSBY
Learning Goal: Demonstrate knowledge of early-twentieth century
foundational works of American Literature by relating a text to the
historical time period and discussing the distinct features of Modernism
found in the text.
Essential Questions: What is Modern? Can ideals survive Catastrophe?
How can people honor their Heritage? What drives Human Behavior?
Texts: "The Love Song Of J. Afred Prufrock", poetry by Langston Hughes,
"How it feels to be Colored Me", "Chicago", "The Death of the Hired
Man", "A Worn Path", The Great Gatsby and "Hills Like White Elephants"
Tomorrow: Read the overview of "The Harlem Renaissance and
Modernism" and outline the effects of WWI, the Jazz Age, and the Great
Depression on writers of the time.
The Great Gatsby
The Themes: 1.This novel is filled with multiple themes but the
predominate one focuses on the death of the American Dream. This can be
explained by how Gatsby came to get his fortune. Through his dealings
with organized crime he didn't adhere to the American Dream guidelines.
Nick also suggests this with the manner in which he talks about all the
rich characters in the story. The immoral people have all the money. Of
course looking over all this like the eyes of God are those of Dr. T.J.
Eckleburg on the billboard.
2.The second theme that needs to be
acknowledged is the thought of repeating the past. Gatsby's whole being
since going off to war is devoted to getting back together with Daisy
and have things be the way they were before he left. That's why Gatsby
got a house like the one Daisy used to live in right across the bay from
where she lives. He expresses this desire by reaching towards the green
light on her porch early in the book. The last paragraph, So we beat
on, boats against the current, born back ceaselessly into the past
reinforces this theme.
3.Fitzgerald was in his twenty's when he wrote
this novel and since he went to Princeton he was considered a spokesman
for his generation. He wrote about the third theme which is the
immorality that was besieging the 1920's. Organized crime ran rampant,
people were partying all the time, and affairs were common play. The
last of which Fitzgerald portrays well in this novel.
4.The eyes of
T. J. Eckleburg convey a fourth theme in this novel. George Wilson
compares them to the eyes of God looking over the valley of Ashes. The
unmoving eyes on the billboard look down on the Valley of Ashes and see
all the immorality and garbage of the times. By the end of the novel you
will realize that this symbolizes that God is dead.
THE JAZZ AGE:THE ROARING TWENTIES
A brief backdrop to Fitzgerald’s the GREAT GATSBY
A time-line for discussion
Radio came into America in 1916 as independent stations
in cities like Chicago and New York began broadcasting to small audiences.During WWI the United States government took
control of most radio stations for military use.
1917—The New Orleans Jazz Band recorded “Livery Stable
Blues”.It helped make jazz popular and
introduced the record player to American society.In a few years record players where like
television sets—everyone had to have one.The first records were under 3 minutes in time length.
1918 Nov. 11 1918 END OF WWI.WWI brought disillusionment.It seemed to most that technology had failed
and brought massive graves.People renew
their vigor in leading alternative life styles—fast paced full of hedonism and
living for the day instead of the future.
Jan 16 1920the 18th
Amendment brought on the Prohibition.The Prohibition lasted 13 years and introduced into America speakeasies,
Organized Crime and bootlegging.It was
an era of fast money.
Thus began, as Fitzgerald said, “The most expensive orgy
in history.”
1920 also introduced the 1st commercial radio
station.By 1922 their were 670
commercial stations in the country.
Oct. 28 1929 The stock market crashed and the Jazz Age
came to a close.
THE GREAT GATSBY was published in 1925 and the
story takes place in the early 20s right after the close of WWI.
The novel is primarily about the failure of the American
Dream.
'Resume'
Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp;
Guns aren't lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.
Dorothy Parker
Observation
If I don't drive around the park, I'm pretty sure to make my mark. If I'm in bed each night by ten, I may get back my looks again, If I abstain from fun and such, I'll probably amount to much, But I shall stay the way I am, Because I do not give a damn.
Dorothy Parker
SYMBOL: An image that represents a larger idea.Usually a symbol is tied in with one of the
themes of the novel
Some
symbols
Valley
of Ashes—represents spiritual death.It
is tied in with the Death of the American Game (or the death of Gatsby’s
American Dream).With the failure of the
American Dream comes a spiritless wandering.It also represents the spiritual wasteland that most people felt after
WWI.Technology, the great survivor of
society, had failed and had become the great destroyer.
The
Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg—represents the lost of religion.Ties in with the Valley of Ashes as it is a
spiritless ghost that looks over the wasteland.It also represents the failure of technology.Because of WWI people feel the need to live for
the moment.
TIME—watch
out for the mention of time.Nick the
narrator is very conscious of time and the passing of time.Mark your book every time Nick mentions time,
or time passing, or sees a watch, a clock, etc.People are living for the moment, everyone except Gatsby.
The
Green Light at the end of the dock—this represents Gatsby dream: Daisy, and how
close he has come to fulfilling it.
Also - RUMORS.
Students reading The Great Gatsby will learn about social issues of
America during the Roaring Twenties and the failure of the American
Dream. In the novel we will look at characters and characterization,
and see how they prove to be harsh, lively, compelling and most of
all—human.
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the unit students will be able to
1) Define character development, irony, metaphor, personification, subplot, atmosphere and allusion and symbol 2) List all the characters that appear in the novel and describe their physical appearance, motivations, social class. 3) List various allusions and foreshadows and discuss what they mean in relation to plot. 4) List the various types of conflict that occur throughout the novel and discuss who the conflicts are between. 5) Keep a journal that outlines each chapter by listing setting (if applicable), characters, conflicts, and summaries. 6) List three themes and in a paragraph or more discuss how these themes work in the novel. 7)
In an essay of a page or more discuss how Fitzgerald uses particular
images or characters as symbols and discuss how these symbols reflect
larger themes or ideas in the novel. 8) Outline the character development (inward change) of various characters (to be mentioned later). 9) List and outline four subplots in either novel. 10) List and outline the central plot. 11) In a paragraph or more discuss how social class or social problems fit in the novel and relate them to conflict and theme. 12) Pick out two or three examples of similes and/or metaphors and in a paragraph discuss how they are used. 13) Given a quotation identify the speaker. 14)
Write various journal entries from different characters’ points of
view, which demonstrates an understanding of the character and the
character’s attitude towards life.
THE GREAT GATSBY STUDY QUESTIONS
Chapter I
1. How does Nick describe himself at the beginning of the book?
2. Why has Nick come to the East?
3. How does Nick describe Tom Buchanan?
4. Who is Jordan Baker? What does Nick find appealing about her?
5. How does Daisy react to the phone calls from Tom’s woman in New York??
6. What is Gatsby doing when Nick first sees him?
7. Notice how many times Fitzgerald uses the words hope, or dream. Why does he do this?
8. Nick starts the novel by relaying his father's advice "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just
remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." Does he
reserve judgment in the novel?
9. Pay attention to time. What is the day and year during the first scene at Daisy's house?
10. Describe Nick. What facts do you know about him, and what do you infer about him? What kind
of a narrator do you think he will be?
11. What image does the author use to describe Jordan Baker? What does it mean?
12. How does Nick react to Jordan?
13. What does Tom's behavior reveal about his character? Chapter II
1. How does Nick meet Tom’s mistress?
2. How does Myrtle react to Tom’s arrival?
3. Describe George Wilson. How does he react to Tom’s arrival?
4. How does Myrtle behave as the party progresses?
5. Why, according to Catherine, has Tom not left Daisy to marry Myrtle?
6. Why did Tom break Myrtle’s nose? How is this consistent with the author’s description of him in
Chapter I? Judging by his treatment of Myrtle and his wife Daisy, what seems to be Tom’s attitude
toward women?
7. Describe the "valley of ashes." What does it look like and what does it represent?
8. Describe Mr. Wilson and Myrtle. Do they seem to fit into the setting?
9. What more have you learned about Nick in this chapter? Is he similar or different than the people he
spends his time with?
Chapter III
1. Why does Gatsby throw huge, expensive parties for people he does not even know?
2. Describe the two ways in which Nick differs from the other guests at the party?
3. What does the owl-eyed man find extraordinary about the books in Gatsby’s library?
4. Why does the owl-eyed man describe Gatsby as a real Belasco?
5. What is the significance of the owl eyed man?
6. What does the reaction of the drivers of the wrecked automobile suggest about the values of
Gatsby’s guests?
7. What does Nick learn about Jordan after he’s spent some time with her?
8. What is the significance of Jordan’s lies?
9. Pay attention to Nick's judgments. Whtado they reveal about his character that he does this
(especially in relation to his opening comments)?
10. Describe Gatsby the first time Nick sees him.
11. What rumors have been told about Gatsby? Why does Fitzgerald reveal rumors rather than fact?
12. What does Nick think of Gatsby after meeting him?
13. How is Gatsby different from his guests?
14. Why does Nick choose to share his thoughts and feelings with Jordan?
15. Nick thinks he's one of the few honest people he knows, why? Do you thikn he is honest?
1)Wan
2)Prodigality
3)Feigned
4)Languidly
5)Colossal
6)Complacency
7)Levity
8)Extemporizing
9)Supercilious
10)Infinitesimal
11)Fractiousness
12) Incredulously
13) Contemptuously
14) Incurably
15) Cardinal
16) Pasquinade
THE GREAT GATSBY
Learning Goal: Demonstrate knowledge of early-twentieth century
foundational works of American Literature by relating a text to the
historical time period and discussing the distinct features of Modernism
found in the text.
Essential Questions: What is Modern? Can ideals survive Catastrophe?
How can people honor their Heritage? What drives Human Behavior?
Texts: "The Love Song Of J. Afred Prufrock", poetry by Langston Hughes,
"How it feels to be Colored Me", "Chicago", "The Death of the Hired
Man", "A Worn Path", The Great Gatsby and "Hills Like White Elephants"
Tomorrow: Read the overview of "The Harlem Renaissance and
Modernism" and outline the effects of WWI, the Jazz Age, and the Great
Depression on writers of the time.
The Great Gatsby
The Themes: 1.This novel is filled with multiple themes but the
predominate one focuses on the death of the American Dream. This can be
explained by how Gatsby came to get his fortune. Through his dealings
with organized crime he didn't adhere to the American Dream guidelines.
Nick also suggests this with the manner in which he talks about all the
rich characters in the story. The immoral people have all the money. Of
course looking over all this like the eyes of God are those of Dr. T.J.
Eckleburg on the billboard.
2.The second theme that needs to be
acknowledged is the thought of repeating the past. Gatsby's whole being
since going off to war is devoted to getting back together with Daisy
and have things be the way they were before he left. That's why Gatsby
got a house like the one Daisy used to live in right across the bay from
where she lives. He expresses this desire by reaching towards the green
light on her porch early in the book. The last paragraph, So we beat
on, boats against the current, born back ceaselessly into the past
reinforces this theme.
3.Fitzgerald was in his twenty's when he wrote
this novel and since he went to Princeton he was considered a spokesman
for his generation. He wrote about the third theme which is the
immorality that was besieging the 1920's. Organized crime ran rampant,
people were partying all the time, and affairs were common play. The
last of which Fitzgerald portrays well in this novel.
4.The eyes of
T. J. Eckleburg convey a fourth theme in this novel. George Wilson
compares them to the eyes of God looking over the valley of Ashes. The
unmoving eyes on the billboard look down on the Valley of Ashes and see
all the immorality and garbage of the times. By the end of the novel you
will realize that this symbolizes that God is dead.
THE JAZZ AGE:THE ROARING TWENTIES
A brief backdrop to Fitzgerald’s the GREAT GATSBY
A time-line for discussion
Radio came into America in 1916 as independent stations
in cities like Chicago and New York began broadcasting to small audiences.During WWI the United States government took
control of most radio stations for military use.
1917—The New Orleans Jazz Band recorded “Livery Stable
Blues”.It helped make jazz popular and
introduced the record player to American society.In a few years record players where like
television sets—everyone had to have one.The first records were under 3 minutes in time length.
1918 Nov. 11 1918 END OF WWI.WWI brought disillusionment.It seemed to most that technology had failed
and brought massive graves.People renew
their vigor in leading alternative life styles—fast paced full of hedonism and
living for the day instead of the future.
Jan 16 1920the 18th
Amendment brought on the Prohibition.The Prohibition lasted 13 years and introduced into America speakeasies,
Organized Crime and bootlegging.It was
an era of fast money.
Thus began, as Fitzgerald said, “The most expensive orgy
in history.”
1920 also introduced the 1st commercial radio
station.By 1922 their were 670
commercial stations in the country.
Oct. 28 1929 The stock market crashed and the Jazz Age
came to a close.
THE GREAT GATSBY was published in 1925 and the
story takes place in the early 20s right after the close of WWI.
The novel is primarily about the failure of the American
Dream.
'Resume'
Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp;
Guns aren't lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.
Dorothy Parker
Observation
If I don't drive around the park, I'm pretty sure to make my mark. If I'm in bed each night by ten, I may get back my looks again, If I abstain from fun and such, I'll probably amount to much, But I shall stay the way I am, Because I do not give a damn.
Dorothy Parker
SYMBOL: An image that represents a larger idea.Usually a symbol is tied in with one of the
themes of the novel
Some
symbols
Valley
of Ashes—represents spiritual death.It
is tied in with the Death of the American Game (or the death of Gatsby’s
American Dream).With the failure of the
American Dream comes a spiritless wandering.It also represents the spiritual wasteland that most people felt after
WWI.Technology, the great survivor of
society, had failed and had become the great destroyer.
The
Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg—represents the lost of religion.Ties in with the Valley of Ashes as it is a
spiritless ghost that looks over the wasteland.It also represents the failure of technology.Because of WWI people feel the need to live for
the moment.
TIME—watch
out for the mention of time.Nick the
narrator is very conscious of time and the passing of time.Mark your book every time Nick mentions time,
or time passing, or sees a watch, a clock, etc.People are living for the moment, everyone except Gatsby.
The
Green Light at the end of the dock—this represents Gatsby dream: Daisy, and how
close he has come to fulfilling it.
Also - RUMORS.
Students reading The Great Gatsby will learn about social issues of
America during the Roaring Twenties and the failure of the American
Dream. In the novel we will look at characters and characterization,
and see how they prove to be harsh, lively, compelling and most of
all—human.
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the unit students will be able to
1) Define character development, irony, metaphor, personification, subplot, atmosphere and allusion and symbol 2) List all the characters that appear in the novel and describe their physical appearance, motivations, social class. 3) List various allusions and foreshadows and discuss what they mean in relation to plot. 4) List the various types of conflict that occur throughout the novel and discuss who the conflicts are between. 5) Keep a journal that outlines each chapter by listing setting (if applicable), characters, conflicts, and summaries. 6) List three themes and in a paragraph or more discuss how these themes work in the novel. 7)
In an essay of a page or more discuss how Fitzgerald uses particular
images or characters as symbols and discuss how these symbols reflect
larger themes or ideas in the novel. 8) Outline the character development (inward change) of various characters (to be mentioned later). 9) List and outline four subplots in either novel. 10) List and outline the central plot. 11) In a paragraph or more discuss how social class or social problems fit in the novel and relate them to conflict and theme. 12) Pick out two or three examples of similes and/or metaphors and in a paragraph discuss how they are used. 13) Given a quotation identify the speaker. 14)
Write various journal entries from different characters’ points of
view, which demonstrates an understanding of the character and the
character’s attitude towards life.
THE GREAT GATSBY STUDY QUESTIONS
Chapter I
1. How does Nick describe himself at the beginning of the book?
2. Why has Nick come to the East?
3. How does Nick describe Tom Buchanan?
4. Who is Jordan Baker? What does Nick find appealing about her?
5. How does Daisy react to the phone calls from Tom’s woman in New York??
6. What is Gatsby doing when Nick first sees him?
7. Notice how many times Fitzgerald uses the words hope, or dream. Why does he do this?
8. Nick starts the novel by relaying his father's advice "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just
remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." Does he
reserve judgment in the novel?
9. Pay attention to time. What is the day and year during the first scene at Daisy's house?
10. Describe Nick. What facts do you know about him, and what do you infer about him? What kind
of a narrator do you think he will be?
11. What image does the author use to describe Jordan Baker? What does it mean?
12. How does Nick react to Jordan?
13. What does Tom's behavior reveal about his character? Chapter II
1. How does Nick meet Tom’s mistress?
2. How does Myrtle react to Tom’s arrival?
3. Describe George Wilson. How does he react to Tom’s arrival?
4. How does Myrtle behave as the party progresses?
5. Why, according to Catherine, has Tom not left Daisy to marry Myrtle?
6. Why did Tom break Myrtle’s nose? How is this consistent with the author’s description of him in
Chapter I? Judging by his treatment of Myrtle and his wife Daisy, what seems to be Tom’s attitude
toward women?
7. Describe the "valley of ashes." What does it look like and what does it represent?
8. Describe Mr. Wilson and Myrtle. Do they seem to fit into the setting?
9. What more have you learned about Nick in this chapter? Is he similar or different than the people he
spends his time with?
Chapter III
1. Why does Gatsby throw huge, expensive parties for people he does not even know?
2. Describe the two ways in which Nick differs from the other guests at the party?
3. What does the owl-eyed man find extraordinary about the books in Gatsby’s library?
4. Why does the owl-eyed man describe Gatsby as a real Belasco?
5. What is the significance of the owl eyed man?
6. What does the reaction of the drivers of the wrecked automobile suggest about the values of
Gatsby’s guests?
7. What does Nick learn about Jordan after he’s spent some time with her?
8. What is the significance of Jordan’s lies?
9. Pay attention to Nick's judgments. Whtado they reveal about his character that he does this
(especially in relation to his opening comments)?
10. Describe Gatsby the first time Nick sees him.
11. What rumors have been told about Gatsby? Why does Fitzgerald reveal rumors rather than fact?
12. What does Nick think of Gatsby after meeting him?
13. How is Gatsby different from his guests?
14. Why does Nick choose to share his thoughts and feelings with Jordan?
15. Nick thinks he's one of the few honest people he knows, why? Do you thikn he is honest?
1)Wan
2)Prodigality
3)Feigned
4)Languidly
5)Colossal
6)Complacency
7)Levity
8)Extemporizing
9)Supercilious
10)Infinitesimal
11)Fractiousness
12) Incredulously
13) Contemptuously
14) Incurably
15) Cardinal
16) Pasquinade
THE GREAT GATSBY
Learning Goal: Demonstrate knowledge of early-twentieth century
foundational works of American Literature by relating a text to the
historical time period and discussing the distinct features of Modernism
found in the text.
Essential Questions: What is Modern? Can ideals survive Catastrophe?
How can people honor their Heritage? What drives Human Behavior?
Texts: "The Love Song Of J. Afred Prufrock", poetry by Langston Hughes,
"How it feels to be Colored Me", "Chicago", "The Death of the Hired
Man", "A Worn Path", The Great Gatsby and "Hills Like White Elephants"
Tomorrow: Read the overview of "The Harlem Renaissance and
Modernism" and outline the effects of WWI, the Jazz Age, and the Great
Depression on writers of the time.
The Great Gatsby
The Themes: 1.This novel is filled with multiple themes but the
predominate one focuses on the death of the American Dream. This can be
explained by how Gatsby came to get his fortune. Through his dealings
with organized crime he didn't adhere to the American Dream guidelines.
Nick also suggests this with the manner in which he talks about all the
rich characters in the story. The immoral people have all the money. Of
course looking over all this like the eyes of God are those of Dr. T.J.
Eckleburg on the billboard.
2.The second theme that needs to be
acknowledged is the thought of repeating the past. Gatsby's whole being
since going off to war is devoted to getting back together with Daisy
and have things be the way they were before he left. That's why Gatsby
got a house like the one Daisy used to live in right across the bay from
where she lives. He expresses this desire by reaching towards the green
light on her porch early in the book. The last paragraph, So we beat
on, boats against the current, born back ceaselessly into the past
reinforces this theme.
3.Fitzgerald was in his twenty's when he wrote
this novel and since he went to Princeton he was considered a spokesman
for his generation. He wrote about the third theme which is the
immorality that was besieging the 1920's. Organized crime ran rampant,
people were partying all the time, and affairs were common play. The
last of which Fitzgerald portrays well in this novel.
4.The eyes of
T. J. Eckleburg convey a fourth theme in this novel. George Wilson
compares them to the eyes of God looking over the valley of Ashes. The
unmoving eyes on the billboard look down on the Valley of Ashes and see
all the immorality and garbage of the times. By the end of the novel you
will realize that this symbolizes that God is dead.
THE JAZZ AGE:THE ROARING TWENTIES
A brief backdrop to Fitzgerald’s the GREAT GATSBY
A time-line for discussion
Radio came into America in 1916 as independent stations
in cities like Chicago and New York began broadcasting to small audiences.During WWI the United States government took
control of most radio stations for military use.
1917—The New Orleans Jazz Band recorded “Livery Stable
Blues”.It helped make jazz popular and
introduced the record player to American society.In a few years record players where like
television sets—everyone had to have one.The first records were under 3 minutes in time length.
1918 Nov. 11 1918 END OF WWI.WWI brought disillusionment.It seemed to most that technology had failed
and brought massive graves.People renew
their vigor in leading alternative life styles—fast paced full of hedonism and
living for the day instead of the future.
Jan 16 1920the 18th
Amendment brought on the Prohibition.The Prohibition lasted 13 years and introduced into America speakeasies,
Organized Crime and bootlegging.It was
an era of fast money.
Thus began, as Fitzgerald said, “The most expensive orgy
in history.”
1920 also introduced the 1st commercial radio
station.By 1922 their were 670
commercial stations in the country.
Oct. 28 1929 The stock market crashed and the Jazz Age
came to a close.
THE GREAT GATSBY was published in 1925 and the
story takes place in the early 20s right after the close of WWI.
The novel is primarily about the failure of the American
Dream.
'Resume'
Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp;
Guns aren't lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.
Dorothy Parker
Observation
If I don't drive around the park, I'm pretty sure to make my mark. If I'm in bed each night by ten, I may get back my looks again, If I abstain from fun and such, I'll probably amount to much, But I shall stay the way I am, Because I do not give a damn.
Dorothy Parker
SYMBOL: An image that represents a larger idea.Usually a symbol is tied in with one of the
themes of the novel
Some
symbols
Valley
of Ashes—represents spiritual death.It
is tied in with the Death of the American Game (or the death of Gatsby’s
American Dream).With the failure of the
American Dream comes a spiritless wandering.It also represents the spiritual wasteland that most people felt after
WWI.Technology, the great survivor of
society, had failed and had become the great destroyer.
The
Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg—represents the lost of religion.Ties in with the Valley of Ashes as it is a
spiritless ghost that looks over the wasteland.It also represents the failure of technology.Because of WWI people feel the need to live for
the moment.
TIME—watch
out for the mention of time.Nick the
narrator is very conscious of time and the passing of time.Mark your book every time Nick mentions time,
or time passing, or sees a watch, a clock, etc.People are living for the moment, everyone except Gatsby.
The
Green Light at the end of the dock—this represents Gatsby dream: Daisy, and how
close he has come to fulfilling it.
Also - RUMORS.
Students reading The Great Gatsby will learn about social issues of
America during the Roaring Twenties and the failure of the American
Dream. In the novel we will look at characters and characterization,
and see how they prove to be harsh, lively, compelling and most of
all—human.
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the unit students will be able to
1) Define character development, irony, metaphor, personification, subplot, atmosphere and allusion and symbol 2) List all the characters that appear in the novel and describe their physical appearance, motivations, social class. 3) List various allusions and foreshadows and discuss what they mean in relation to plot. 4) List the various types of conflict that occur throughout the novel and discuss who the conflicts are between. 5) Keep a journal that outlines each chapter by listing setting (if applicable), characters, conflicts, and summaries. 6) List three themes and in a paragraph or more discuss how these themes work in the novel. 7)
In an essay of a page or more discuss how Fitzgerald uses particular
images or characters as symbols and discuss how these symbols reflect
larger themes or ideas in the novel. 8) Outline the character development (inward change) of various characters (to be mentioned later). 9) List and outline four subplots in either novel. 10) List and outline the central plot. 11) In a paragraph or more discuss how social class or social problems fit in the novel and relate them to conflict and theme. 12) Pick out two or three examples of similes and/or metaphors and in a paragraph discuss how they are used. 13) Given a quotation identify the speaker. 14)
Write various journal entries from different characters’ points of
view, which demonstrates an understanding of the character and the
character’s attitude towards life.
THE GREAT GATSBY STUDY QUESTIONS
Chapter I
1. How does Nick describe himself at the beginning of the book?
2. Why has Nick come to the East?
3. How does Nick describe Tom Buchanan?
4. Who is Jordan Baker? What does Nick find appealing about her?
5. How does Daisy react to the phone calls from Tom’s woman in New York??
6. What is Gatsby doing when Nick first sees him?
7. Notice how many times Fitzgerald uses the words hope, or dream. Why does he do this?
8. Nick starts the novel by relaying his father's advice "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just
remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." Does he
reserve judgment in the novel?
9. Pay attention to time. What is the day and year during the first scene at Daisy's house?
10. Describe Nick. What facts do you know about him, and what do you infer about him? What kind
of a narrator do you think he will be?
11. What image does the author use to describe Jordan Baker? What does it mean?
12. How does Nick react to Jordan?
13. What does Tom's behavior reveal about his character? Chapter II
1. How does Nick meet Tom’s mistress?
2. How does Myrtle react to Tom’s arrival?
3. Describe George Wilson. How does he react to Tom’s arrival?
4. How does Myrtle behave as the party progresses?
5. Why, according to Catherine, has Tom not left Daisy to marry Myrtle?
6. Why did Tom break Myrtle’s nose? How is this consistent with the author’s description of him in
Chapter I? Judging by his treatment of Myrtle and his wife Daisy, what seems to be Tom’s attitude
toward women?
7. Describe the "valley of ashes." What does it look like and what does it represent?
8. Describe Mr. Wilson and Myrtle. Do they seem to fit into the setting?
9. What more have you learned about Nick in this chapter? Is he similar or different than the people he
spends his time with?
Chapter III
1. Why does Gatsby throw huge, expensive parties for people he does not even know?
2. Describe the two ways in which Nick differs from the other guests at the party?
3. What does the owl-eyed man find extraordinary about the books in Gatsby’s library?
4. Why does the owl-eyed man describe Gatsby as a real Belasco?
5. What is the significance of the owl eyed man?
6. What does the reaction of the drivers of the wrecked automobile suggest about the values of
Gatsby’s guests?
7. What does Nick learn about Jordan after he’s spent some time with her?
8. What is the significance of Jordan’s lies?
9. Pay attention to Nick's judgments. Whtado they reveal about his character that he does this
(especially in relation to his opening comments)?
10. Describe Gatsby the first time Nick sees him.
11. What rumors have been told about Gatsby? Why does Fitzgerald reveal rumors rather than fact?
12. What does Nick think of Gatsby after meeting him?
13. How is Gatsby different from his guests?
14. Why does Nick choose to share his thoughts and feelings with Jordan?
15. Nick thinks he's one of the few honest people he knows, why? Do you thikn he is honest?
