The focus of today's session was Chapter Four of The Great Gatsby. Discussion considered the significance of the 'San Francisco' moment and the fact that Gatsby reinforces the reality of his implausible narrative with war medals and a photograph from Oxford. Class discussion pondered Fitzgerald's aim when introducing Wolfshiem and mixing fact with fiction when introducing the idea that Wolshiem 'fixed' the 1919 World Series, was a friend of Rosy Rosenthal, and frequented the Metropole. Gatsby is clearly being linked to organised crime. What is so GREAT about being a gangster???
GATSBY is an interesting character. Students need to identify the ideas being expressed by Fitzgerald through the representation of Gatsby. He is a deeply symbolic character and students need to work to identify the nature of this symbolism. His dream is often linked to the American Dream. Why? How?
Why does Carraway perceive Gatsby as so heroic when he is a gangster attempting to destroy a marriage?
The first section of the lesson was a direct response to the last set of essays. Some students are still struggling to explain how textual reference supports opinion so an example was placed upon the board and the class attempted to push this response from a low D grade to a B grade.
The following sentence appeared in an essay:
Carraway suggests that Gatsby is God-like. He describes him as being 'gorgeous'.
This is an incredibly superficial response and fails to offer any convincing textual analysis. The quote does not illustrate how Gatsby could be perceived as God-like and the student fails to offer any attempt to explain how this quote could reinforce the critical argument. This is an E/E- response.
The example below is a more convincing effort:
Carraway suggests that Gatsby is God-like. For example Nick suggests that Gatsby has incredible powers of perception and empathy as he had a 'heightened sensitivity...as if he were related to those intricate machines that register earthquakes ten thousand miles away.' This metaphorical association infers that Gatsby has an incredible ability when attempting to understand and relate to other people. The reference to the machine suggests that his power of perception is almost supernatural rather than human. Furthermore....
The example above moves the E/E- to a C+. If the God-like link could be illustrated with one more textual reference/explanation and then linked to author's aim, this would be an A grade response. Students need to be aware of how/why this example is worthy of a higher grade. ALL students need to develop the ability to explain how textual reference allows you to illustrate your argument.
HOMEWORK: Read the final section of Chapter Four and prepare for the essay title:
WHAT ARE THE KEY IDEAS BEING PRESENTED BY FITZGERALD IN THE FIRST FOUR CHAPTERS?
All students who were awarded E to D grades for the last set of essays need to pick one paragraph from their essay and attempt to raise your grade. Students need to clearly explain how textual reference supports their view. This is the area of our work that we need to improve. Note my example above.
ELLIE....:
http://becuriouslit.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/year-12-lesson-twelve.html
