This session considered the significance of CHAPTER FOUR. Reference was made to Gatsby's attempts to impress Carraway as they drive to New York to meet Wolfsheim. Students were asked to be aware of how Fitzgerald introduces the themes of Power and Corruption. Below are the key features of this chapter that students need to consider:
- Gatsby's blatant lie that he is from the Mid-West city of SAN FRANCISCO! Clearly this city is situated on the West Coast!
- Students need to consider why Gatsby is weaving such a ridiculous narrative to impress Carraway. The theme of APPEARANCE and REALITY appears once more. Remember, this is all linked to Gatsby's obsession with rekindling his romance with Daisy.
- Gatsby's ability to escape a speeding ticket.
- Note the description of the car that represents the automobile as some form of supernatural creature: 'WITH FENDERS SPREAD LIKE WINGS WE SCATTERED LIGHT....'Wow!
- The description of Wolfsheim is important as is his friendship with Gatsby which is loaded with sinister significance.
- The fact that Fitzgerald refers to REAL EVENTS in this chapter. Rosy Rosenthal was a real gangster who was murdered in the Metropole, Becker was a corrupt policeman who received the death penalty for his role in the murder, and the 1919 World Series betting scandal remains one of the most famous examples of corruption in the history of American sport. What is Fitzgerald's aim here? Why is he merging fact with fiction?
- Students need to be aware of Wolfshiem's 'human molars' used for 'cuff buttons' and Nick's comments that this powerful and ruthless gangster may be a 'dentist'!
The quiz that I used to begin this session was quite enlightening. It is clear that four students are not reading the book. If you did not have 10 correct answers, you are not reading the book in an appropriate manner. If you do not read the book there is very little point in pretending to be a LITERATURE student. Please read the text.
HOMEWORK: Read chapter FOUR and chapter FIVE. We will continue to discuss the significance of Chapter Four in Monday's lesson and begin to discuss the brilliant chapter FIVE.
Examine the resources posted to my previous Gatsby blog entries.
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