The aim of the first session was to discuss possible content for the essay:
WHAT KIND OF AMERICA IS PRESENTED TO THE READER BY FITZGERALD IN THE FIRST FOUR CHAPTERS OF THE GREAT GATSBY?
After a quick Gatsby quiz, class discussion explored possible content for the three paragraph and a conclusion response. Students were provided with a potential essay structure. Class discussion was excellent.
After the nation had burned representations of Mr. Fawkes and encouraged children to indulge in some casual religious bigotry, the second session reinforced the content of the essay and discussed the comical nature of Chapter Five and why the conclusion to this chapter seems melancholy rather than triumphal.
HOMEWORK: Complete the essay. Students should follow the usual paragraph structure:
- Opinion
- Textual reference
- Explain how textual reference supports opinion
- Confront the question focus and consider author's aim.
The response needs to be a succinct 1100/1500 word response and students need to construct a clear and detailed critical argument. REMEMBER...students need to reference two or three critical opinions. Students also need to offer an awareness of historical context. So reference to Walt Whitman, Emma Lazarus, The Declaration of Independence, the significance of prohibition, Lionel Trilling, Arthur Miller/John Steinbeck and the idea of 'perfectibility', The Star Spangled Banner, Robert Barron, Obama's speech in January etc....is expected. Obviously you do not need to reference ALL of these resources...be selective....but I want to see some of these references used to reinforce your argument.
Furthermore, students need to read chapters 5 to 7 of the novel.
Below is a link to a resource that Matty referenced in today's session. This is a very relevant and frightening depiction of wealth distribution in modern America.
Don't forget to use the resources on Be Curious to inform your understanding of the text. I look forward to receiving your written work.
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