The session began with a consideration of how the cruel and childish nature of the American Presidential campaign could be linked to Fitzgerald's novel. The class discussion involved a reaction to two campaign films used by Trump and Clinton. Click on links below:
Clinton campaign film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy8HRdlLGCQ
Trump response in campaign film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1EuZ5ObQp8
Is there a link between the America of 2016 and the America of the novel? Errrrr......
The lesson then considered the final section of Chapter Four within which Fitzgerald has Jordan reveal the romantic link between Gatsby and Daisy. The key line from this section is CARRAWAY'S comment: ' HE CAME ALIVE TO ME, DELIVERED SUDDENLY FROM THE WOMB OF HIS PURPOSELESS SPLENDOUR.' Students need to note Daisy's reaction on her wedding night when receiving a letter...'DRUNK AS A MONKEY'!!
The session moved on to consider CHAPTER FIVE and the moment when Gatsby and Daisy meet each other after FIVE years. Students were asked to consider how Fitzgerald presents this meeting and identify the grotesque comedy that is used to fool the reader into believing that Gatsby's desire to be reunited with Daisy is doomed to fail.
HOMEWORK: READ Chapter Five in detail as we will be discussing this pivotal chapter in the next session. Consider how Fitzgerald manipulates the reader before Daisy and Gatsby are 'successfully' reunited. Why does the chapter conclude with such a melancholy tone when it surely should be euphoric??!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment