Friday, December 19, 2014

Holiday Gatsby Doins

Image Credit: Mike Arnold via The Fox is Black


Over break you will finish the book.  On the Tuesday/Wednesday of our first week back, we will have our first Socratic seminar.  Each prompt will be defended via textual evidence.  In preparation for the discussion, you will prepare remarks on the following topics:


I)  A) Gatsby*
1. Which of the following would you argue best represents Gatsby:
A) Classic Romantic
B) Gangster-”lie down with dogs, you come up with fleas…”
C) Comic Character
D) Narcissist
E) Hero of the middle class
F) Other?
- It is essential to define these labels prior to making your comparison.
2.  Or which from the list above would argue against the most?


3.Nick
- To what extent did Nick succeed convincing you that he was “one of the few honest people I have ever known.”(59)?  
4.Daisy
- Is Daisy a character worthy of our sympathy (before/after Myrtle’s death)?
5. Which characters have the most elaborate foil (Use Venn handout to help trace thoughts)  ?  Nick vs. Gatsby, Myrtle vs. Daisy, Tom vs. Gatsby, Tom vs. Wilson.


II)    Theme
1. What were this novel’s final statements on the following themes?*
 Love-
Justice-
Wealth vs. Poverty-
American Dream-
Illusions vs Reality-
Other?



2.  Cover Interpretation- Gatsby Cover Art- break down a cover as it relates to the novel’s themes.  
Cool Prezi on our cover

3. One of the best accents to the film is the clever soundtrack.  How do any of the following songs amplify a particular scene or include your own addition to the soundtrack and explain.
    No Church in the Wild
     Love is Blindness- Jack White (cover of U2)
    Crazy in Love-
    Young and Beautiful

  My choice--for now...
  I Can't Make You Love Me- Bon Iver cover of Bonnie Raitt


III) Author Style-
1.How did the structure of the novel (in particular 1st person narrator) filter reality presented to reader?
2.Among the various literary techniques layered within this novel, which emerged as the most unique to Fitzgerald's style?
3.  The Great Gatsby Vs. Winter Dreams  What are the most stark patterns in terms of theme and style as you compare these texts?

Discussion Rubric and Transitions

*Idea lifted shamelessly from the talented Miss Cordes

Great lectures to inform you more *wink*- This is what AP level students do...

Listen to The Big Read- Great Gatsby

Psychoanalysis of Gatsby(review)




and part 2 if you are interested or even


Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Gatsby and the socialization of wealth.


From the doc Kids + Money by Lauren Greenfield




HW:
Simple thesis- Chapter 2 is an indictment of the indulgences of the era.
To reflect this criticism, Fitzgerald slings several arrows in the form of symbols,setting and characterization. 

For tonight- Let's find the examples how Fitzgerald echoes this themes through the following:

  • symbol
  • setting
  • character actions-
-Tom
-Myrtyle
-Others at party

  • Character words


Here is a link to the full documentary Born Rich.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Food Debate-Round One


Tonight: Read Jay Bost's  NYT article. Pay close attention to Bost’s structure just as we did with Singer. Mark up the article with your observations. Read the other submissions too.

Write- In your opinion, what was the most effective persuasion in this argument?  This was the winning essay.  What tipped the scales in its favor?



Curious web ad from Chipotle echoes Bost. They claim to walk the walk when it comes to proper stewardship of animal conditions.