YEAR 12 LESSON EIGHT [9th Nov 15]: Homework

This session was a bit of a rant from the fat bloke with the grey hair. The main focus of the session was the party in Chapter Two which offers  a collection of surreal and fragmented moments because the narrator is as drunk as a member of The House of Lords. Discussion considered the representation of Myrtle and students were asked to consider the significance of the following moments:

• Myrtle's initial appearance and the fact that she is presented 'walking through her husband as if he were a ghost.'
• Wilson's deference to Tom and the significance of Tom's comment: 'He's so dumb he doesn't know he's alive.'
• The significance of Myrtle's costume changes.
• The significance of the tiny apartment being full of oversized furniture.
• The significance of the following quotes:..' Throwing a regal homecoming glance around the neighbourhood, Mrs Wilson gathered up her dog and her other purchases, and went haughtily in...The living room was crowded to the doors with a set of tapestried firniture entirely too large for it...Mrs Wilson had changed her costume some time before..With hthe influence of her dress her personality had undergone a change...Her laughter, her gestures, her assertions became more violently affected moment by moment, and as she expanded the room grew smaller around her...Tom Buchanan yawned audibly and got to this feet...'It's really his wife that's keeping them apart. She's a Catholic and they don't believe in divorce'...Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand..'....

This is an incredibly surreal party that is loaded with meaning. Myrtle seems to be an actress pretending that she is not living on the edge of The Valley of Ashes. She seems to crave status and money. Students need to be aware of how Fitzgerald shapes her character and how this chapter allows Fitzgerald to reinforce the key themes of the novel.

HOMEWORK: When we meet on Monday we will be creating content for our first Gatsby essay. It is extremely important that students are familiar with the first three chapters of the novel. The question that we will consider will be:

How does Fitzgerald shape meaning in the opening chapters of the novel?

The first paragraph will consider how Fitzgerald presents the issue of economic inequality and challenges the credibility of the Declaration of Independence. What kind of America is being presented to the reader? Students need to refer to the Valley of Ashes/The Buchanan House/ Gatsby's Parties and how Fitzgerald shapes meaning through the presentation of LOCATION.

The second paragraph needs to focus on the character of Myrtle. She wants to escape the drudgery of her life but seems trapped. Author's aim? Students need to arrive at the classroom armed with some key quotes. Why is everyone drinking and carousing? What kind of world is being presented here?

The third paragraph needs to deal with the introduction of Gatsby which offers a contrasting representation of his character. This is a novel that explores issues of identity. This is a novel that explores the theme of APPEARANCE and REALITY and the mysterious representation of Gatsby introduces the reader to this key theme. The representation of CARRAWAY reinforces this theme.

I EXPECT A LOT OF VIBRANT CLASS DISCUSSION ON MONDAY THAT INCLUDES A LOT OF SPECIFIC TEXTUAL REFERENCE. SEE YOU THERE.

Keep digesting the Gatsby resources that appear on previous blog posts.