YEAR 12 LESSON TWENTY-FIVE [12th Dec 14]: Homework

The aim of this session was to discuss the key features Chapter Eight in THE GREAT GATSBY. Class discussion explored:

• The significance of Carraway's representation of why Gatsby fell in love with Daisy.
• The significance of Carraway's comment: 'They're a rotten crowd,' I shouted across the lawn. 'You're worth the whole damn bunch put together.'
• The significance of the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg and the comments by Michaelis that 'You ought to have a church George, for times like this.' THE ABSENCE OF RELIGION IN THIS NOVEL IS EXTREMELY SIGNIFICANT. It appears that America is now worshipping conspicuous consumption and consumerism rather than seeking the spiritual comfort of religious worship. George comments that 'You may fool me, but you can't fool God...God sees everything.' THE EYES ARE A SIGIFICANT SYMBOL IN THIS NOVEL. 
• The significance of Carraway's poetic representation of the brutal execution of Gatsby and the brief reference to the death of George. Students need to be aware of how Carraway masks the brutality of the brutal murder and why Carraway represents Gatsby's death in this manner. Author's aim?
• The significance of Lionel Trilling's comment that 'GATSBY IS AMERICA'?

Class discussion was excellent. Thank you.

HOMEWORK: Read the Gatsby material that I gave you in today's session and read the opening section of TROTAM by S.T. Coleridge. In the next lesson we will be exploring links between THE GREAT GATSBY and the opening section of Coleridge's famous poem. When attempting to identify links , consider representation of character, location and language.

COMPLETE THE ESSAY.

I made reference to THE ROMANTIC MOVEMENT in this lesson. There is a brilliant THREE PART BBC documentary series that explores the historical and artistic significance of this famous moment in English Literature. See resources below:

PART ONE...LIBERTY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n7ruCqRLRk&list=PLJsfwazehtusFv8Fo0mVzQA5_zK7mC4KH

From this link students can watch the final two sections of this fantastic documentary series. The final two episodes are titled NATURE and ETERNITY. SOAK THIS UP LIT FREAKS. AN INFORMED STUDENT IS A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT.