YEAR 12 LESSON TWENTY-FIVE [11th Dec 13]: Homework

Today's session began with a consideration of Fitzgerald's use of symbolism. Class discussion identified the following symbols as being significant as these metaphorical associations allow Fitzgerald to shape his key ideas:

• The green light and the many references to the colour green. The link was made to the green light in chapter one symbolising Gatsby's hopes and dreams and the 'light green' reference to the 'death car' symbolising the death of his dream.
• The eyes of T.J. Eckleburg symbolising the idea that religious faith has been replaced by faith in consumerism or capitalism.
• The Valley of Ashes being symbolic of inequality..especially when juxtaposed with Gatsby's opulent parties or the Buchanan House.
• Gatsby's house and the fact that it loses its glamour and energy as Gatsby's dream recedes.
• Character as each character seems to have a symbolic importance.
• Gatsby's dream and how it reflects the impossibility of The American Dream.
• The car and how it represents the possibly destructive nature of the future. The car is the symbol of freedom and movement yet in the novel it is used as a weapon to kill a human. Significant?

Class discussion was very good. Well done folks.
The second section of the session was a consideration of the question:
'THE GREAT GATSBY IS A SORDID TALE OF DECEPTION, ADULTERY AND MURDER.'
How do you respond to this view of the novel?
The work produced on the big white boards in response to this task can be perused at the top of this blog entry. Group work was excellent. At the end of the session Kate stated that ..'That lesson was rock hard..' Good. THINKING SHOULD ALWAYS BE ENCOURAGED.

HOMEWORK: The essay title used for the group work will be offered as a timed essay next Wednesday. It is my Mid-Winter gift! Students need to plan how they will answer this question. Students need to consider how they are going to navigate through this question. Students need to be aware of the relevant assessment objectives for this question. This is the question that examines your wider understanding of the text.Tuesday's session will be a lesson that will relate directly to the timed essay. We will prepare on Tuesday for the essay on Wednesday. Any questions that you have that relate to the question need to be discussed in Tuesday's session. Get planning Lit Freaks.