Students explored chapter three of The Great Gatsby. Discussion related to the five key moments of the chapter:
- The significance of the opulent nature of Gatsby's party.
- The significance of 'Owl Eyed' man in the library.
- The significance of the crying 'red-haired girl' and the fact that the party disintegrates into alcohol inspired chaos.
- The significance of Gatsby's introduction.
- The significance of Carraway's concluding comments.
The second session involved students discussing the following question: HOW DOES FITZGERALD PRESENT THE WORLD OF THE VALLEY OF ASHES AND GATSBY'S PARTY? WHAT IS FITZGERALD'S AIM HERE?
Students produced a thirty minute timed response to this question after class discussion.
This session also introduced students to the philosophy of the 1776 American Declaration of Independence and the quote:
"WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF EVIDENT, THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS,THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS."
To what extent does this novel reflect the philosophy being proposed by the Declaration of Independence?
Students seemed perplexed when I discussed the resignation of Liam Fox and the significance of the 'OCCUPY' movement. Below are some links that explore the nature of the 'OCCUPY' movement. Students might want to consider how these demonstrations relate to Fitzgerald's novel. Click on links below:
Michael Moore interview:
Film from The Guardian online reporting on OCCUPY demo in London:
Rome OCCUPY demo becomes violent
Photographs of global demonstration from BBC online:
Channel Four news report:
HOMEWORK: READREADREADREADREADREADREADREADREAD..........
When we meet after half-term, I expect all students to have completed their reading of this novel.
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