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Metaphor and Symbolism in The Great Gatsby The Valley of Ashes / The American Dream. Rollins AP Lang, Spring 2014. Symbolism. Symbol : a thing that represents or stands for something else, esp. a material object representing something abstract. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Metaphor and Symbolism in The Great Gatsby
The Valley of Ashes / The American Dream
Rollins
AP Lang, Spring 2014
Symbolism
Symbol: a thing that represents or stands for something else, esp. a material object representing something abstract.
We assign meaning to symbols. Thus, the symbolic meanings of an object or action are understood depending on when, where, how, and by whom they are used. For example, a chain could symbolize unity/strength or
imprisonment.
http://literarydevices.net/symbolism/
The Valley of Ashes Read the article by Roger Starr.
What was the actual ‘valley of ashes’? What does it represent in The Great Gatsby?
http://www.litkicks.com/InGatsbysTracks#.UuP-K9LnZdh
The American Dream Read “Are the Rich Happy?” by Stephen
Leacock
What is the ‘American dream’? The dream, according to Fitzgerald: individualism,
discovery, the pursuit of happiness
What is the ‘American dilemma’? Consider the extravagance/excess of the Jazz Age
The American Dream in Gatsby Discuss Nick’s attitude in chapter 9
[Klipspringer] was one of those who used to sneer most bitterly at Gatsby on the courage of Gatsby’s liquor…” (169)
“After Gatsby’s death the East was haunted for me like that…” (168)
“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy…” (179)
How do Americans idealize ‘success’ (power/wealth/leisure)?
How does Gatsby idealize his dream (Daisy)?
How does the unworthiness of the objects ruin these dreams?
D’Angelo’s Book Club Watch the clip from The Wire, beginning at 0:16
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DOy4hCih7w
What is Fitzgerald saying about 'The American Dream' in the ending of The Great Gatsby?
How do you interpret the final line of the novel? “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne ceaselessly
back into the past.” (180)
How would your opinion of the novel change if the book ended with Gatsby and Daisy living happily ever after? Although that ending might be a “happier” ending, would it be authentic? Would it make the book better? Why or why not?