YEAR 12 LESSON FOURTEEN [4th Nov 14]: Homework

Today's session explored the significance of Gatsby's first appearance in the text and the reflective comments offered by Nick Carraway at the end of Chapter Three. Class discussion considered whether Fitzgerald reinforces or develops the characters of Gatsby and Carraway. Beth made a wonderful comment about these moments developing and deepening the sense of mystery that surrounds these two figures whilst failing to offer any information about character. Devon's comment relating to Carraway's romantic language being linked to infatuation rather than love was another wonderful comment. There was some poetry in the room. Questions to consider when considering the content of Chapter Three:

• WHY IS CARRAWAY SO ISOLATED?
• WHY IS GATSBY SUCH A MASSIVE INFLUENCE UPON NICK?
• WHY DOES FITZGERALD REPRESENT GATSBY AS SOBER AND ISOLATED AT A PARTY FULL OF DRUNKEN PEOPLE?
• WHY DO PEOPLE BELIEVE GATSBY 'KILLED A MAN'?
• WHY DOES THE PARTY CONCLUDE IN SUCH A CHAOTIC MANNER?
• WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OWL-EYES?
• WHAT IS SO GREAT ABOUT GATSBY?

THE QUALITY OF CLASS DISCUSSION WAS OUTSTANDING. MUCH APPRECIATED. Students appear to be developing a very subtle grasp of issues being explored within this text.

HOMEWORK: We are moving towards the essay question:
WHAT ARE THE KEY IDEAS BEING PRESENTED BY FITZGERALD IN THE FIRST FOUR CHAPTERS?
Students need to be reading the text to determine how they will answer this question. Students might like to consider:

• Fitzgerald's symbolic use of technology.
• The significance of the Valley of Ashes.
• The symbolic nature of characters such as Tom Buchanan. What does he represent?
• Fitzgerald's representation of America.
• The novel as a love story.
• The novel as a moral fable.

KEEP READING THE TEXT.THE MORE YOU ENGAGE WITH THE TEXT, THE MORE INFORMED AND CONVINCING YOUR ARGUMENT WILL BECOME. KEEP ENGAGING WITH THE RESOURCES THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED TO THE BLOG. THE NEXT ESSAY DEMANDS AN UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORICAL CONTEXT SO INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IS ESSENTIAL. Don't forget these blog entries:
http://becuriouslit.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/year-12-lesson-fourfivesix-19th23rd26th.html  
http://becuriouslit.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/year-twelve-lesson-twelve-17th-oct-14.html
http://becuriouslit.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/why-every-american-should-read-great.html

THE FOCUS OF FRIDAY'S SESSION WILL BE CHAPTER FOUR. 

Toodle pip LIT Chimps. YOU LOT WERE FANTASTIC TODAY. THANK YOU.