YEAR 12 LESSON SEVEN/EIGHT/NINE [30th Sept / 3rd Oct / 7th Oct] : Homework

These three sessions aimed to explore issues relating to Fitzgerald's THE GREAT GATSBY. The first session attempted to explore author's aim. Students discussed:

• The poem THE NEW COLOSSUS written by EMMA LAZARUS that is place inside The Statue of Liberty.
• The Star Spangled Banner and its philosophical and lyrical significance.
• The poetry of Walt Whitman. Specifically I HEAR AMERICA SINGING and AMERICA.
• The philosophy and significance of the 1776 Declaration of Independence.

The aim of this session was to examine how these texts represent America and examine the extent to which this representation is reflected in the opening chapters of the novel. The key question that students need to consider is:
WHAT IS THE REPRESENTATION OF AMERICA BEING OFFERED BY FITZGERALD?

The Friday session examined why all the social gatherings in the first three chapters of the book are so joyless. The Buchanan moment in chapter one is a dull and anxious affair, the scene in Myrtle's flat descends into violence and chaos and Gatsby's party concludes with fights and tears. Students were asked to consider why Fitzgerald is offering this content.

The Tuesday sermon began with a consideration of the question:
HOW DOES FITZGERALD DEVELOP THE CHARACTER OF TOM IN CHAPTER TWO?
Students were asked to consider how Fitzgerald reinforces Tom's selfish arrogance and ignorance in this section. Students need to consider Tom as a symbolic construct. How is Tom being used by Fitzgerald to shape meaning? We really need to begin to consider each character as being symbolic.
The second question used to provoke discussion involved Myrtle:
HOW DOES FITZGERALD PRESENT MYRTLE IN CHAPTER TWO?
Students were asked to consider Myrtle's character and how she is used by Fitzgerald to shape meaning. Discussion compared Myrtle with Daisy. One student stated that 'she just wants to be Daisy'...which is a fair comment. But who would want to be Daisy?

I made a comment in the final session that this is a very moral novel despite the fact that, in the past, many states in America have banned this novel form libraries and schools because it is believed to be a novel that lacks an acceptable moral focus. The novel is full of alcohol abuse, infidelity and many characters appear to lack any form of compassion or empathy for the people with whom they share their lives. This appears to be a 'Godless' novel. Why? Is the lack of religious focus incredibly significant? When Wilson stares at the advertisement in the Valley of Ashes and states: 'God sees everything'.....why is this such a significant comment?

HOMEWORK: Students need to consider the two questions that we discussed in the final session. The focus of Friday's session will be to shape content for both questions as these questions will form the written homework at the conclusion of the next session. STUDENTS NEED TO BE ABLE TO CONSIDER AUTHOR"S AIM. IF TOM AND MYRTLE ARE SYMBOLIC CHARACTERS...WHAT ARE THE IDEAS BEING SHAPED BY FITZGERALD THROUGH THESE CHARACTERS?
Here is a wonderful resource created by a literature loving Catholic priest! THIS IS ESSENTIAL VIEWING FOR CONSIDERING AUTHOR'S AIM.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLSVx84uPrY
I expect students to have considered Father Barron's comments. What is 'THE COLLAPSE OF MEANING'?