Thursday, March 12, 2020

Into the Valley of Ashes--Chapter 2 Fishbowl: March 12, 2020

Focus: What is the Valley of Ashes, and what does it reveal about the novel as a whole?

1. Warming up with our final Valentine of the Day and a whiteboard brainstorming of "Valley" and "Ashes"; performing a metacognitive of Fitzgerald's description of the Valley of Ashes

*Your Fishbowl transition: Post one of your questions about the Valley of Ashes on today's blog.*

2. Enjoying our first Gatsby Fishbowl: Chapter 2 with our new outer circle roles and a few fishbowl reminders:

  • Outer circle must be SILENT. If you talk on the outer circle, you will receive no higher than a 6/10.
  • Bloggers and discussers should be commenting at least five times; stay in the discussion from beginning to end.
  • To receive full credit, you must bring a quotation / page number into your blogging comments or your out-loud discussion. 
  • If you're absent or you need to sit out to finish the reading, you can make up the outer circle blog within 48 hours of the original discussion.


3. Wrapping up with your thesis of the day: Fitzgerald uses the Valley of Ashes to....

4. Debriefing: What went well? What do we need to do better?

HW:
1. MONDAY: Read and journal on Chapter 3; leaders should prepare their syllabus.

Thursday, March 12--Tuesday, March 17: PRINT and turn in your critical review final drafts.

2. BY MARCH 20: If you're interesting in taking A.P. Language or A.P. Literature, please fill out this application

34 comments:

  1. (Chapter 1) what could the green light represent? Pg 21- “Involuntarily I glanced seaward-and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock”

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Based off of movies a green light usually means something devious or scary is about to happen and a green light might make someone feel stressed or overwhelmed so it might be symbolizing something like that.

      Delete
    2. In theory the green light could represent the "initiation/call to action" and help push the character to be a greater version of themselves

      Delete
  2. What does the theme class and wealth play in Nick's life, how does he act different from Tom?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The theme of class and wealth allow there to be a tension between the characters. Nick seems to take lots of appreciation into his things.

      Delete
    2. Nick is not wealthy at all, he doesn't have a lot of money and lives in a small place. But he has a lot of really healthy friends, and he also lives in rich neighborhood. He also act kind of different then all the other people, and I think that is because of the fact he isn't rich, but is always around rich people.

      Delete
    3. Nick is quieter than the wealthier people because he doesn't have the power or the ability that make him stand out. He accepts what other says because he doesn't have a voice in making decision (his opinions are not strong).

      Delete
  3. How do you think Nick will officially meet Gatsby? How will it affect him?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even though they are neighbors, I think they will end up eventually meeting somewhere less expected, such as the city, or an event/party. It will add more plot to the story and I think Nick will be curious about how Gatsby is attaining his "American Dream".

      Delete
    2. I could imagine that the two will meet on a party or something like this.

      Delete
    3. I think they will end up in Gatsby's party because in the book it shows that Gatsby likes to open up parties. Mr. McKee said, "Really? I was down there at a party about a month ago. At a man named Gatsby's" (32). I assume Mr.Mckee might be able to bring Nick to a party

      Delete
  4. Why do you think Tom and Myrtle won’t get divorced from their spouses now and get married to each other? Pg 33

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was looked down on to get divorced back then, although I'm sure it is just as looked down on to have an affair. I think they aren't ashamed enough to end things with their spouses.

      Delete
    2. "It's really his wife that's keeping them apart. She's catholic, and they don't believe in divorce." Page 33, even though Daisy isn't catholic and that's a lie. I think Tom wants the control of being able to have multiple women in his life without ruining his relationship, so he made up that lie.

      Delete
    3. Back in this time the divorce rate was basically zero. It was frowned upon even if your spouse was abusive or cheating.

      Delete
    4. I think Myrtle is willing to get divorced but Tom is not because it's frowned upon by his family. Also Tom seems like a rather selfish person who would "Have his cake and eat it to".

      Delete
    5. I don't get the sense that they are in love...it's interesting that Tom is so defensive of Daisy, and that Fitzgerald never describes Myrtle as particularly likable or beautiful.

      Delete
  5. What role do you think Gatsby is going to play in Nick’s life?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. maybe a leadership role

      Delete
    2. I think Gatsby is going to introduce Nick into partying and alcohol, or maybe turn into a mentor.

      Delete
    3. I feel like Gatsby is going to be a father like figured to Nick.

      Delete
    4. I think Nick is going to look up to Gatsby

      Delete
    5. I think Gatsby played the role of a mentor or father figure for Nick. I think Gatsby showed Nick (whether he wanted it or not) the good and bad sides of life and how to learn from them without making the mistake for himself.

      Delete
    6. I feel that Gatsby is going to push Nick to see a different side of himself. This allows Nick to grow as a character chasing a different point of view that hasn't been presented about Nick

      Delete
    7. I think that Nick is going to explain Gatsby, and they are going to become really close friends trying to figure it out or following the American Dream. They might try to find out what does the American Dream means.

      And it can also happen on reverse, Gatsby tells Nick his idea of American Dreams and they try to do it together.

      Delete
  6. How will Tom’s violent actions towards Myrtle play a role later in the book? What was the significance of him breaking her nose so abruptly? Pg 37- “Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.”

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He wants to be in control over her thoughts and words. He doesn't want Daisy to affect him and Myrtles relationship.

      Delete
    2. I think his violence will represent the evil/antagonistics of the story. It also shows how abusive he can be

      Delete
    3. I noticed when Tom was buying the dog he was very rude to Mrs.Weldon

      -Sam MacKendrick

      Delete
  7. I think the green light might be like a moth attracted to a lamp or something

    ReplyDelete
  8. On page 4, "life is much more successfully looked at from a single window, after all". What do you guys think the window is? Is it a goal? A metaphor?

    ReplyDelete

Finishing Strong: May 18-20, 2020

Focus: How do we finish strong in American Lit? 1. Warming up with three good things! 2. Gathering all books that you've borrowed...