YEAR 12 LESSON TWELVE [7th Dec 15]: Homework

The whole focus of this session was a consideration of the question:
WHY IS CHAPTER FOUR SIGNIFICANT?
Class discussion explored possible content when considering the significance of this key chapter. The class considered the following points. I have presented the results of the class discussion as a possible essay structure as this question is the focus of the written homework:

• The first moment of significance is Gatsby's attempts to convince Carraway about the significance of Gatsby's past. This allows Fitzgerald to reinforce the theme of APPEARANCE and REALITY as Fitzgerald presents Gatsby's narrative as being unreliable. Gatsby claims he is from the Mid-West but states that he was born in 'San Francisco'. This city is on the west coast so this is clearly a lie! Gatsby appears to have planned the presentation of his past as he is armed with medals to prove he was honoured 'For Valour Extraordinary' by 'little Montenegro' and even has a photograph to prove he attended Oxford. He is like a bad actor, much like Myrtle in Chapter Two, struggling to play a role and appearing unconvincing.

AUTHOR'S AIM? Fitzgerald reinforces the sense of enigmatic mystery that surrounds this character. Carraway describes Gatsby as 'gorgeous' in the first chapter and represents Gatsby as a unique and inspirational character yet the reader is still puzzled as to how or why Carraway would be impressed by a man who is clearly lying about his past. Chapter four serves to reinforce the mysterious nature of Gatsby and the reader remains unsure as to why Carraway begins the novel with such a positive representation of such a disingenuous individual.

• However, Fitzgerald does develop Gatsby's character in a significant manner in chapter four when he links Gatsby to the themes of corruption and organised crime. Gatsby's true identity has been shrouded in mystery throughout the first four chapters and Fitzgerald introduces a sinister tone with the idea that Gatsby appears to be a very powerful gangster. The first hint of Gatsby's criminal power occurs when his car ['With fenders spread like wings we scattered light'] is stopped for speeding and Gatsby escapes prosecution and after 'Taking a card from his wallet' the policeman reacts with exaggerated deference and allows Gatsby to continue his journey: ''Right you are' agreed the policeman, tipping his cap, 'Know you next time Mr.Gatsby, Excuse me!' The policeman appears to afford Gatsby a fearful respect and this moment serves to introduce and amplify Gatsby's criminal power. This moment also introduces the idea that the police are corrupt.

AUTHOR'S AIM? Fitzgerald introduces the theme of power and corruption. Gatsby's character is offered a sinister dimension and the moral decay that Fitzgerald has presented to the reader in the opening chapters appears to be a decay that is rooted in an American institution that should be a symbol of moral justice. This is a country that appears to have lost all moral direction as the police appear to be less powerful than the gangsters that seek profit from organised crime. Reference could be made here to how this America seems a powerful contrast the idealised vision of America reflected in the Declaration of Independence or the poem of Emma Lazarus that can be read inside the Statue of Liberty. Whitman? Star Spangled Banner? Some reference needs to be made here to the idealised vision of America and the America being presented by Fitzgerald.

• Furthermore, the theme of corruption and power is reinforced with Fitzgerald's introduction of Wolfsheim. Students need to refer to how Fitzgerald shapes the idea that Wolfsheim is a violent, powerful and successful gangster. Obviously reference needs to be made to the symbolic significance of his 'cuff buttons', the symbolic significance of his character being presented as a wolf-like character [why not a squirrel?], and the merging of fact and fiction with references to Rosy Rosenthal, Becker, and the World Series. When Carraway asks 'Why isn't he in jail?' Gatsby replies: 'They can't get him, old sport. He's a smart man.' What is the significance of this statement?

AUTHOR'S AIM?  Fitzgerald links Gatsby to a very powerful and violent gangster. He introduces the theme of power and corruption in quite a shocking manner. Gatsby is linked to a world of moral decay that seems to contradict Carraway's judgement that Gatsby 'had an extraordinary gift for hope'. This appears to be the first real insight into the true nature of Gatsby and it serves to amplify the sense of mystery that surrounds this 'Great Gatsby'. Fitzgerald may also be encouraging the reader to be suspicious of Carraway's judgement as the reader is possibly being encouraged to question the judgement of a narrator who perceives 'something gorgeous' in a man who associates with gangsters like Wolfsheim. This is a novel that questions the moral direction of America and Wolsheim's introduction allows Fitzgerald to add another layer of moral decay to the novel and force the reader to confront the belief that America appears to have lost its sense of morality and moral justice. The reader is presented with a morally repulsive America populated with corrupt policeman, succesful gangsters, the injustice of the inequality endured within the Valley of Ashes, and grotesque people like Tom Buchanan. The critic Lionel Trilling stated that 'Gatsby is America' and it might be that just as the reader is unsure of Gatsby's true identity, so Trilling is suggesting that America is also suffering some form of identity crisis as this version of America is not a reflection of the idealised America rooted in The Declaration of Independence.

• Students could also refer to Jordan's narrative. This is a significant feature of chapter four because this moment allows Fitzgerald to introduce the love affair between Gatsby and Daisy. This is the key narrative that drives Gatsby as we discover that he hopes to rekindle his affair with Daisy Fay. Students might like to refer to the fact that Jordan's narrative reinforces the idea that Tom is a vile individual....YOU DECIDE!

AUTHOR'S AIM? If students refer to the fact that Fitzgerald uses Jordan's narrative to introduce the  love affair that links Gatsby to Daisy, it might be plausible to refer to Fitzgerald creating a sense of dramatic tension as Gatsby seems unconcerned that Daisy is married with a child. She is not the girl that she was in 1917 when they had their affair. Furthermore, she is now married to a violent bully therefore Fitzgerald presents a situation that, potentially, may inspire a dramatic reaction from Tom. Jordan's narrative also serves to reinforce the idea that Tom is a vile character. Students could focus on the fact that chapter four allows Fitzgerald to reinforce the idea that Tom is a brutal character lacking in empathy or compassion.

CONCLUSION....Don't worry about linking the text to the context of tragedy. Students should refer to the opinion of a critic to shape a convincing conclusion. Chapter four is an important chapter because it introduces the sinister theme of criminality and deepens the sense of mystery that surrounds the enigmatic character of Gatsby.

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Students who achieved A to C for the last essay should produce THREE paragraphs and a conclusion. Students awarded D to E for the last essay should produce two paragraphs and a conclusion.
The aim of this essay is for students to produce a CLEAR and succinct critical commentary that clearly considers author's aim.
Students could produce a three paragraph and conclusion response simply dealing with Gatsby and Wolsheim. The introduction of Gatsby's criminality is a massive feature of this chapter. Students should not feel that they have to refer to Jordan's narrative. My main concern is CLARITY as the last written response contained some very confused critical commentary. READ my marking and attempt to avoid repeating the mistakes that were apparent in the last response.
THIS IS A HUGE PIECE OF WORK.

GOOD LUCK.

HOMEWORK: Complete the essay.