WE END OUR YEAR BY TURNING BACK 100 YEARS, looking toward the roaring 1920s. This will be our final read. Do remember to annotate, and you MUST read the notes before reading the assigned chapter. The chapters read fairly quickly, but Fitzgerald's prose and imagery is denser than Ellison's is somewhat less plot driven than Invisible Man. So though you'll be reading less, you will likely read more slowly.

Monday, May 25

No class for Memorial Day.
HW: Read chapter one of The Great Gatsby. Remember to read the posted notes before reading the chapter. That will help in your annotation: circle words, write questions, look for thematic connections.

Tuesday, May 26

Overview of 1920s in America. We will look at one of three documents: Prosperity during the Coolidge Years, Bootlegging, and The Horatio Alger Myth. Also, lecture and Q-A on chapter one: What kind of person is Nick? What's his past got to do with his present? What American Dream is he in search of?
HW: Reading chapter two of GG tonight.

Wednesday, May 27

Examining the second of yesterday's documents. What kind of people are Tom and Daisy? What does their past have to do with their present? What do they seem in search of?
HW: Read chapter three of GG tonight.

Thursday, May 28

Today you will read the last of the aforementioned documents. Then a lecture/discussion on Gatsby's party. If this same party were taking place on Lake Michigan at Plaza del Lago in the 1920s, what would you make of the party?
HW: Read chapter four of GG tonight.

Friday, May 29

Who is Gatsby? What does his past have to do with his present? What does he seem to be in search of? Introduction to documentary, which you should watch (and take notes on) this weekend.
HW: Over the weekend, read chapters 5, 6 and up to page 125 in chapter seven.

Monday, June 1

Finishing chapter seven in class today. How do the stars collide? What further collision can we safely predict will occur?
HW: Tonight, read chapter eight.

Tuesday, June 2

Discussion of Nick's fascination with Gatsby. What makes Gatsby so great, anyway?
HW: Read chapter nine, finishing the book.

Wednesday, June 3

Discussion of the holocaust and the fallout that Tom and Daisy create. What is Fitzgerald's comment on class relations?
HW: The final will be on both Ellison's Invisible Man and Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. It will be mostly objective, and a short written section. Bring both books with you to the test, along with #2 pencils, a watch, and water.

Thursday, June 4

Our final will take place today at 10:00 AM. Room location T.B.A..