Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Allusion in Chapters One and Two
Here are links for more information about what happens in these chapters.
Tom talks about a book he calles "The Rise of the Colored Empires" by this man Goddard. Tom doesn't get the name of the book or the author correct. If you want to know more, check out this site!
http://books.google.com/books?id=zwf-Ofc--toC&pg=PA83&lpg=PA83&dq=Theodore+Lothrop+Stoddard%E2%80%99s+The+Rising+Tide+of+Color+Against+White+World+Supremacy+(%22&source=web&ots=deQ36srYXY&sig=5CTtqaxXc8pBATyD5VLtqymCtdQ&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result#PPA83,M1
As a kid I read The Saturday Evening Post at my grandma's house. If you don't know what it is, check here:
http://saturdayeveningpost.com/About-The-Saturday-Evening-Post.html
In chapter two, Nick picks up a book at the apartment in New York City. Here's information on that book:
http://greatwarfiction.wordpress.com/2006/06/08/simon-called-peter/
Tom talks about a book he calles "The Rise of the Colored Empires" by this man Goddard. Tom doesn't get the name of the book or the author correct. If you want to know more, check out this site!
http://books.google.com/books?id=zwf-Ofc--toC&pg=PA83&lpg=PA83&dq=Theodore+Lothrop+Stoddard%E2%80%99s+The+Rising+Tide+of+Color+Against+White+World+Supremacy+(%22&source=web&ots=deQ36srYXY&sig=5CTtqaxXc8pBATyD5VLtqymCtdQ&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result#PPA83,M1
As a kid I read The Saturday Evening Post at my grandma's house. If you don't know what it is, check here:
http://saturdayeveningpost.com/About-The-Saturday-Evening-Post.html
In chapter two, Nick picks up a book at the apartment in New York City. Here's information on that book:
http://greatwarfiction.wordpress.com/2006/06/08/simon-called-peter/
Chapter Two—Suggestions
Here's what I've been thinking about:
1. For a good description of The Valley of Ashes reread the first paragraph. Pay particular attention to the word choices to get an understanding of what that place is like!
2. Be sure to understand what you can about T.J. Eckleburg and the idea that he is a god-figure in this chapter.
3. Pay attention to how the colors have changed from chapter one. Be sure to look at all of the colors in chapter one.
4. Compare and contrast the dinner party with Tom and Daisy with the cocktail party with Tom and Myrtle. Try to figure out what it tells you about what’s happening.
5. If you read carefully, you will discover that Myrtle changes her dress in this chapter three times. Why might Fitzgerald have her do that?
6. Explore what these images show the reader in this chapter:
A. Nick uses the word “ectoplasm,”
B. the photos are out of focus,
C. “People disappeared, reappeared, made plans to go somewhere, and then lost each other, searched for each other, found each other a few feet away.”
7. Can we trust that Nick as the narrator remembers and reports things accurately?
Quotations:
“Throwing a regal homecoming glance around the neighborhood, Mrs. Wilson gathered up her dog and her other purchases, and went haughtily in.”
“Daisy was not a Catholic, and I was a little shocked at the elaborateness of the lie.”
“I have been drunk just twice in my life, and the second time was that afternoon…”
1. For a good description of The Valley of Ashes reread the first paragraph. Pay particular attention to the word choices to get an understanding of what that place is like!
2. Be sure to understand what you can about T.J. Eckleburg and the idea that he is a god-figure in this chapter.
3. Pay attention to how the colors have changed from chapter one. Be sure to look at all of the colors in chapter one.
4. Compare and contrast the dinner party with Tom and Daisy with the cocktail party with Tom and Myrtle. Try to figure out what it tells you about what’s happening.
5. If you read carefully, you will discover that Myrtle changes her dress in this chapter three times. Why might Fitzgerald have her do that?
6. Explore what these images show the reader in this chapter:
A. Nick uses the word “ectoplasm,”
B. the photos are out of focus,
C. “People disappeared, reappeared, made plans to go somewhere, and then lost each other, searched for each other, found each other a few feet away.”
7. Can we trust that Nick as the narrator remembers and reports things accurately?
Quotations:
“Throwing a regal homecoming glance around the neighborhood, Mrs. Wilson gathered up her dog and her other purchases, and went haughtily in.”
“Daisy was not a Catholic, and I was a little shocked at the elaborateness of the lie.”
“I have been drunk just twice in my life, and the second time was that afternoon…”
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Chapter One--Suggestions
I decided to pull main ideas from what I wrote to Mr. Bennett on chapter one:
These quotations seem important:
“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had all the advantages that you’ve had.” (beginning of the chapter)
“I’m p-paralyzed with happiness.” (Daisy's first line)
“I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool--that’s that best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” (Daisy's reaction to her daughter's birth.)
I would pay particular attention to the colors in the chapter. I like colors in literature. Pay particular attention to the colors at the dinner party--and contrast them to the very last scene in the chapter. It's important to know who that mysterious man is!
I'd also pay attention to "truth" and what people say. There is a great deal about those in this chapter. With that--the idea of gossip--without calling it gossip.
Remember: Everything has happened and Nick is reflecting back on it.
These quotations seem important:
“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had all the advantages that you’ve had.” (beginning of the chapter)
“I’m p-paralyzed with happiness.” (Daisy's first line)
“I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool--that’s that best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” (Daisy's reaction to her daughter's birth.)
I would pay particular attention to the colors in the chapter. I like colors in literature. Pay particular attention to the colors at the dinner party--and contrast them to the very last scene in the chapter. It's important to know who that mysterious man is!
I'd also pay attention to "truth" and what people say. There is a great deal about those in this chapter. With that--the idea of gossip--without calling it gossip.
Remember: Everything has happened and Nick is reflecting back on it.
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Great Gatsby--Forsberg's journal
I am thinking that I will write on the blog as I read Gatsby. If I hear from people that it's worthwhile, I may continue to do it. If no one emails me to tell me that it's helpful, it means I'm wasting my time--and may continue my journal privately.
MIDAS... MORGAN ... MAECENAS The first was the legendary king who was granted his wish that everything he touch change to gold. "Morgan" refers to J. Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913), the famous New York financier. "Maecenas" was a wealthy Etruscan patron of the Roman poets Horace and Virgil. All three are examples of Fitzgerald's fascination with wealth and the very wealthy.
I knew Midas and Morgan, but not Maecenas. I Googled it and found this...since I know the first two are correct, I assume the third is as well.
I read this again and recalled that the entire story is written from the perspective of Nick after he has returned "home" to the Midwest. So, sort of like Kindred, the story begins and we know that Nick survives to tell the story.
There is a lot of vocabulary to this book. I'm hoping students are taking the time to look it up. I think it's essential to understanding Fitzgerald. The other thing that I noticed were the colors. I hope the students find them--the wedding cake house and wine carpet... We'll see.
Let me know if this is helpful.
MIDAS... MORGAN ... MAECENAS The first was the legendary king who was granted his wish that everything he touch change to gold. "Morgan" refers to J. Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913), the famous New York financier. "Maecenas" was a wealthy Etruscan patron of the Roman poets Horace and Virgil. All three are examples of Fitzgerald's fascination with wealth and the very wealthy.
I knew Midas and Morgan, but not Maecenas. I Googled it and found this...since I know the first two are correct, I assume the third is as well.
I read this again and recalled that the entire story is written from the perspective of Nick after he has returned "home" to the Midwest. So, sort of like Kindred, the story begins and we know that Nick survives to tell the story.
There is a lot of vocabulary to this book. I'm hoping students are taking the time to look it up. I think it's essential to understanding Fitzgerald. The other thing that I noticed were the colors. I hope the students find them--the wedding cake house and wine carpet... We'll see.
Let me know if this is helpful.
The Great Gatsby reading schedule
Chapter 1 and Chapter 2: Friday, 2/6
Chapter 3: Monday, 2/9
Quiz on chapters 1-3
Chapter 4: B-day, 211-2/12
Chapter 5: A-day, 2/17-2/18
Quiz on chapters 4-5
Chapter 6: Friday, 2/20
Chapter 7: Monday, 2/23
Quiz on chapters 6-7
Chapter 8: B-day, 2/25-2/6
Chapter 9: Monday, 3/2
Quiz on chapters 8-9
Review for final test: Monday, 3/2
Chapter 3: Monday, 2/9
Quiz on chapters 1-3
Chapter 4: B-day, 211-2/12
Chapter 5: A-day, 2/17-2/18
Quiz on chapters 4-5
Chapter 6: Friday, 2/20
Chapter 7: Monday, 2/23
Quiz on chapters 6-7
Chapter 8: B-day, 2/25-2/6
Chapter 9: Monday, 3/2
Quiz on chapters 8-9
Review for final test: Monday, 3/2
To Those Who Did Not Hand Me Their Papers as They Walked in "The Door"
Read "Fair Warning" on January 28th.
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