f. scott fitzgerald’s the great gatsby...the author: f. scott fitzgerald born in saint paul,...
TRANSCRIPT
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s
The Great Gatsby
the author: F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota
1896
Attends Princeton University
1913
WW1 ENDS
WW1 BEGINS
1914
1918
Marries ZeldaSayre
1920
Publishes first novel
Publishes The Great Gatsby
1925
Lives between New York, Paris, & the French Riviera with other
American expatriate authors
[Spans the 1920’s]
Zelda suffers from schizophrenia
1930 1940
Dies at 44 years old
the author: F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
● Known for his imagery filled, poetic writing
the author: F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
● Known for his imagery filled, poetic writing
● Topics of his writing were influenced by his surroundings and experiences
the author: F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
● Known for his imagery filled, poetic writing
● Topics of his writing were influenced by his surroundings and experiences
● Relationship with wife, Zelda: ○ tumultuous○ disillusioned ○ materialistic ○ alcohol-filled
the author: F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
● Known for his imagery filled, poetic writing
● Topics of his writing were influenced by his surroundings and experiences
● Relationship with wife, Zelda: ○ tumultuous○ disillusioned ○ materialistic ○ alcohol-filled
● Constantly financially strained
The “Lost Generation” ● Refers to the generation who “came of age” during WW1
The “Lost Generation” ● Refers to the generation who “came of age” during WW1
● Referred to the “lack of purpose or drive” resulting from the “disillusionment” felt by those who grew up and lived through the war
The “Lost Generation” ● Refers to the generation who “came of age” during WW1
● Referred to the “lack of purpose or drive” resulting from the “disillusionment” felt by those who grew up and lived through the war
● Having seen pointless death on such a huge scale, many people lost faith in values like courage, patriotism, and masculinity
The “Lost Generation” ● Refers to the generation who “came of age” during WW1
● Referred to the “lack of purpose or drive” resulting from the “disillusionment” felt by those who grew up and lived through the war
● Having seen pointless death on such a huge scale, many people lost faith in values like courage, patriotism, and masculinity
● Because of this, some became aimless, reckless, and focused on materialism and money (a.k.a., the YOLO mentality).
The “Lost Generation” ● Refers to the generation who “came of age” during WW1
● Referred to the “lack of purpose or drive” resulting from the “disillusionment” felt by those who grew up and lived through the war
● Having seen pointless death on such a huge scale, many people lost faith in values like courage, patriotism, and masculinity
● Because of this, some became aimless, reckless, and focused on materialism and money (a.k.a., the YOLO mentality)
● Term was coined by Gertrude Stein, but popularized by Ernest Hemingway in his novel, The Sun Also Rises
let’s set the scene:
THE ROARING 20’S
HISTORICAL SETTING
● THE WAR IS OVER! (WW1: 1914-1918)○ Soldiers come home
■ they have money■ they provide labour
○ incredible economic prosperity: MATERIALISM
○ unprecedented industrial growth ■ BIG cities, BIG buildings
HISTORICAL SETTING
● Tensions between social classes and race○ Social classes:
■ Rich vs. Poor■ Old Money vs. New Money (Stock Market)
○ Race:■ Rise in KKK membership ■ Influence of African Americans on jazz
scene: “immoral”
The era of “limitless possibilities”
● Thriving arts, culture, and social scene ○ dance halls emerge○ idea of “escapism”○ segregation of Blacks and Whites
● Jazz music thrives → often called, “The Jazz Age”○ The “Harlem Renaissance” ○ Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington
The era of “limitless possibilities”
● Advent of the cinema○ End of the silents○ Magical experience
● The “Golden Age” of Sports: baseball, football, tennis, golf ○ era of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig
Women’s liberation
● Women get the right to vote: 1920
● Idea of the “working woman”
● The “flapper” as the feminine ideal○ The woman who “smoked, drank, danced, and voted”○ Could have short hair ○ Sexually liberated○ Participated in sports ○ Drove cars
“They were both in white, and their dresses were rippling and fluttering as if they had just been blown back in after a short flight around the house…” (8)
THE FLAPPER
Prohibition & the mob ● Made manufacturing, importing, and selling (but not
drinking!) alcohol illegal
Prohibition & the mob ● Made manufacturing, importing, and selling (but not
drinking!) alcohol illegal
● WHY? ○ Alcohol seen as “immoral”○ Promotes alcoholism○ Destroys families
Prohibition & the mob ● Made manufacturing, importing, and selling (but not
drinking!) alcohol illegal
● WHY? ○ Alcohol seen as “immoral”○ Promotes alcoholism○ Destroys families
● Organized crime starts: The Mob○ Black market of alcohol: “bootlegging”○ Emergence of the Speakeasy
“The bar is in full swing, and floating rounds of cocktails permeate the garden outside, until the air is alive with chatter and laughter…” (40)
Prohibition
“‘I see you’re looking at my cuff buttons.’ They were composed of oddly familiar pieces of ivory. ‘Finest specimens of human molars,’ he informed me.” (72)
THE mob
1929 and it all comes crashing down...
Gatsby’s world
Themes
★ Division between social classes
Themes
★ Division between social classes
★ Artificiality (appearance vs. reality)
Themes
★ Division between social classes
★ Artificiality (appearance vs. reality)
★ Love and Jealousy
Themes
★ Division between social classes
★ Artificiality (appearance vs. reality)
★ Love and Jealousy
★ Conflict (internal, especially)
Themes
★ Division between social classes
★ Artificiality (appearance vs. reality)
★ Love and Jealousy
★ Conflict (internal, especially)
★ Gender Roles
Your Marks:Measuring Your Progress: (60%)
- Class participation (discussion, in-class handouts): 20%
- Vocabulary and Reading quizzes: 20% - Journal entries: 20%
Measuring What You Learned: (40%)
- Gatsby’s Party Playlist (20%) - In-Class Essay (20%)