GATSBY AND BROWNINGGATSBY AND BROWNINGMODULE A-COMPARATIVE MODULE A-COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TEXTS AND STUDY OF TEXTS AND CONTEXTCONTEXT

Elective 2:TEXTS IN TIMEElective 2:TEXTS IN TIME

GATSBY AND EBBGATSBY AND EBB

• In this elective students compare how the In this elective students compare how the treatment of similar treatment of similar contentcontent in a pair of in a pair of texts composed in texts composed in different timesdifferent times and and contextscontexts may reflect may reflect changing valueschanging values and and perspectivesperspectives. By considering the texts in . By considering the texts in their contexts and comparing their contexts and comparing valuesvalues, , ideasideas and and language forms and featureslanguage forms and features, students , students come to a heightened understanding of come to a heightened understanding of the meaning and significance of each text.the meaning and significance of each text.

• Key Vocab:Key Vocab:

Similar content-Similar content--- Key ideas and concepts, -- Key ideas and concepts, characterisation, thematic concerns, authorial characterisation, thematic concerns, authorial commentarycommentary

Different times-Different times--- Specific socio/historical-- Specific socio/historicalAnd cultural influencesAnd cultural influencesChanging valuesChanging values —Key values that have shaped —Key values that have shaped

each work. What has changed? How?Why? each work. What has changed? How?Why? How is this reflected? What was/what is?How is this reflected? What was/what is?

• Changing perspectivesChanging perspectives –Identify –Identify focus and the perspective presented. focus and the perspective presented. Whose view are we presented with? Whose view are we presented with? What is the shift in perspective? Why What is the shift in perspective? Why does it occur? How is it reflected?does it occur? How is it reflected?

• ContextContext– Key socio/historic/cultural – Key socio/historic/cultural influences that have shaped and are influences that have shaped and are reflected in the worksreflected in the works

• ValuesValues---What values are reflected in each text?---What values are reflected in each text?• What values are challenged?What values are challenged?• What is important, given status, seen as significant?What is important, given status, seen as significant?

– After WW1 people got away from the traditional life style and were recovering After WW1 people got away from the traditional life style and were recovering from a violent and bloody war- their moral considerations were suspended. from a violent and bloody war- their moral considerations were suspended.

– These changes are illustrated by the personalities, behaviour and life styles of These changes are illustrated by the personalities, behaviour and life styles of several characters in the book. Firstly, these characters are concerned chiefly several characters in the book. Firstly, these characters are concerned chiefly and only with themselves. Throughout the book, they act vulgarly and cruelly. and only with themselves. Throughout the book, they act vulgarly and cruelly. This criticism points out the fact that selfishness is one of the major traits This criticism points out the fact that selfishness is one of the major traits present in the society.present in the society.

• As Nick observes Tom and Daisy who As Nick observes Tom and Daisy who have been cruel ad vulgar, he explains have been cruel ad vulgar, he explains their attitudes towards others by saying their attitudes towards others by saying that “they smashed up things and that “they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess and let other people clean up the mess they had made“(187).they had made“(187).

• SETTING- Secondly, although people SETTING- Secondly, although people meet frequently in social events, they lack meet frequently in social events, they lack sincere intimacy. At Gatsby’s party, Nick sincere intimacy. At Gatsby’s party, Nick hears the guests milling around, hears the guests milling around, exchanging rumours about their host but exchanging rumours about their host but no one seems to know the truth about no one seems to know the truth about Gatsby’s wealth or personal history.Gatsby’s wealth or personal history.

• This indicates that although people seem This indicates that although people seem very close, they don’t really share anything very close, they don’t really share anything and are distant. The corruption of society and are distant. The corruption of society is clearly indicated by this secession is clearly indicated by this secession among people.among people.

• In addition, suspension of devotion to In addition, suspension of devotion to family comes along with corruption of family comes along with corruption of values. For example, Jay Gatsby was in values. For example, Jay Gatsby was in fact called James Gatz.fact called James Gatz.

• He changed his name because “His parents were He changed his name because “His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people-his shiftless and unsuccessful farm people-his imagination had never really accepted them as imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all .The truth was that Jay Gatsby, his parents at all .The truth was that Jay Gatsby, of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his Platonic conception of himself. He was a son of Platonic conception of himself. He was a son of God” (104). As it is emphasized in this quote, Jay God” (104). As it is emphasized in this quote, Jay Gatsby struggles to establish a new life for Gatsby struggles to establish a new life for himself just because his parents are poor and himself just because his parents are poor and don’t fit into the idealistic figure of modern family.don’t fit into the idealistic figure of modern family.

• Furthermore, materialism replaces the Furthermore, materialism replaces the vanishing values and money promotes to vanishing values and money promotes to be the only aspiration of the people. The be the only aspiration of the people. The luxury of Tom’s house is described by luxury of Tom’s house is described by elaborate decorations such as “the frosted elaborate decorations such as “the frosted wedding cake of the ceiling”, “wine-colored wedding cake of the ceiling”, “wine-colored rug” and an “enormous couch” (12rug” and an “enormous couch” (12

• This rich and detailed description shows how This rich and detailed description shows how important Fitzgerald felt appearance and money important Fitzgerald felt appearance and money were in his society. The fact that decorations of were in his society. The fact that decorations of this house are considered significant and this house are considered significant and worked on elaborately despite the problematic worked on elaborately despite the problematic relationships is a proof of the corruption and relationships is a proof of the corruption and materialism in the society. materialism in the society.

•

• Barrett Browning’s eraBarrett Browning’s era

• Patriarchal societyPatriarchal society

• Highly religious- shown by her use of Highly religious- shown by her use of religious imageryreligious imagery

• traditionaltraditional

• conventionalconventional

• a more innocent age – no war atrocitiesa more innocent age – no war atrocities

• also a time of great technological also a time of great technological advances, industrialization and advances, industrialization and scientific discovery.scientific discovery.

• concept of the ‘ideal woman’ concept of the ‘ideal woman’

• time of contrast- more churches time of contrast- more churches built at this time and more brothels built at this time and more brothels existed. existed.

• IDEASIDEAS -- What are the central ideas -- What are the central ideas explored and how are they explored?explored and how are they explored?

• What do they say about the society What do they say about the society they reflect?they reflect?

• Language forms and features, Language forms and features, structures connotations, resonances structures connotations, resonances and their impactand their impact

• use of imagery in both textsuse of imagery in both texts

• Petrarchan sonnet model- typically Petrarchan sonnet model- typically male form. Her manipulation of it male form. Her manipulation of it highly adept and effective- the set highly adept and effective- the set line length, rigid rhyme scheme and line length, rigid rhyme scheme and iambic pentameter helped Barrett iambic pentameter helped Barrett Browning constrain her Browning constrain her overwhelming feelings.overwhelming feelings.

• Use of first person in both texts- Use of first person in both texts- personal personal

• intertextuality- Theocritus – known for intertextuality- Theocritus – known for his pastoral poetryhis pastoral poetry

• dark and gloomy imagerydark and gloomy imagery• contrasted with positive connotations contrasted with positive connotations

of love ‘Not Death but love’of love ‘Not Death but love’• use of punctuation- ellipsis, use of punctuation- ellipsis,

exclamation marksexclamation marks

• use of descriptive language in ‘Gatsby’use of descriptive language in ‘Gatsby’

• imageryimagery

• setting - houses, parties, East egg, setting - houses, parties, East egg, West egg, Valley of AshesWest egg, Valley of Ashes

• characterisationcharacterisation

• symbolism-green lightsymbolism-green light

• dialoguedialogue

• Heightened understanding-what has Heightened understanding-what has changed/shifted? How has it changed/shifted? How has it developed?developed?

• MeaningMeaning– – • What is the intention of the composer?What is the intention of the composer?• What is the message of the text?What is the message of the text?• What concepts underpin the text?What concepts underpin the text?• What is the comment about humanity?What is the comment about humanity?• What is the focus of this storyWhat is the focus of this story• What is the moral function?What is the moral function?• How is the meaning relevant to you and your How is the meaning relevant to you and your

values?values?• What connections can be made with contemporary What connections can be made with contemporary

concerns?concerns?

• Significance-Significance-

• What is significant to the module focus and What is significant to the module focus and the specific elective?the specific elective?

• What is the importance in terms of your What is the importance in terms of your own response to the texts?own response to the texts?

• What are the concerns of the texts?What are the concerns of the texts?

• What is memorable, notable?What is memorable, notable?

• What distinguishes this text as note-worthy?What distinguishes this text as note-worthy?

• Similar contentSimilar contentBoth Both ‘‘GatsbyGatsby’’ and and ‘‘Sonnets from the PortugesSonnets from the Portuges

ee ’’ deal with similar content. deal with similar content.Idealised love ( or lack thereof)- therefore Idealised love ( or lack thereof)- therefore

commodified lovecommodified loveIn SFTP love is seen as monogamous/spiritual. In SFTP love is seen as monogamous/spiritual.

It is not superficial and not principally It is not superficial and not principally physical. It is described in terms of religious physical. It is described in terms of religious images, love thought to exist beyond the images, love thought to exist beyond the grave. The physical aspects are barely grave. The physical aspects are barely hinted at and presented as elevated hinted at and presented as elevated passion.passion.

• Love in Gatsby is seen as transitory- a Love in Gatsby is seen as transitory- a disposable item in a materialistic society- disposable item in a materialistic society- therefore commodified.therefore commodified.

• Daisy seems to love both men Daisy seems to love both men simultaneously but is she capable of loving simultaneously but is she capable of loving either? Nick is unsure if he loves Jordan and either? Nick is unsure if he loves Jordan and George and GatsbyGeorge and Gatsby’’s love is depicted as s love is depicted as pathetic . Physical love is depicted as pathetic . Physical love is depicted as tawdry and symbols of sexuality ( Myrtletawdry and symbols of sexuality ( Myrtle’’s s breast in the accident) are depicted breast in the accident) are depicted violently and in a tawdry manner.violently and in a tawdry manner.

• Idealised love can make you vulnerableIdealised love can make you vulnerable• GatsbyGatsby’’s life is dominated by the dream s life is dominated by the dream

of love , he dies protecting someone of love , he dies protecting someone unworthyunworthy

• The speaker in the sonnets risks being The speaker in the sonnets risks being hurt by owning love, she is torn by her hurt by owning love, she is torn by her passion versus her paternal love passion versus her paternal love ( garment ripped apart image)( garment ripped apart image)

• Idealised love impossible in FitzgeraldIdealised love impossible in Fitzgerald ’’s era.s era.• Materialism, war, social class apathy of the time, Materialism, war, social class apathy of the time,

nihilism all impede idealised love. nihilism all impede idealised love. • The war literally separated Gatsby from Daisy, but The war literally separated Gatsby from Daisy, but

also his social class also his social class ““rich girls donrich girls don’’t marry poor boyt marry poor boyss”” Fitzgerald wants us to see that in this morally Fitzgerald wants us to see that in this morally vacuous time ideal love was impossible.vacuous time ideal love was impossible.

• MyrtleMyrtle’’s love based on her lust for possessions- the s love based on her lust for possessions- the diamond studded dog collardiamond studded dog collar

• DaisyDaisy’’s love based on her need for status and s love based on her need for status and securitysecurity

• Nick also unsure of his own love and ability to loveNick also unsure of his own love and ability to love

• The reality of social and personal restrictions The reality of social and personal restrictions initially interfere with Browninginitially interfere with Browning ’’s idealised s idealised love because of personal constraints. She is love because of personal constraints. She is unwell- an invalid- common in women at this unwell- an invalid- common in women at this time. time.

• She has low self esteem.She has low self esteem.”” worn out viol worn out viol”” and is and is unsure of Browningunsure of Browning’’s true intensions.s true intensions.

• Her fatherHer father’’s dominance. His desire for her not s dominance. His desire for her not to marry reflective of the patriarchal world to marry reflective of the patriarchal world she lived inshe lived in

• However, she overcomes these personal and However, she overcomes these personal and social restrictions because her love is sound and social restrictions because her love is sound and genuine- thus reflecting that the Victorians, genuine- thus reflecting that the Victorians, particularly the Romantics valued idealised and particularly the Romantics valued idealised and transcendent love.transcendent love.

• This is shown through the religious and natural This is shown through the religious and natural imagery used by Browning.imagery used by Browning.

• The inadequacies of using measurement or The inadequacies of using measurement or economical terminology to express deep personal economical terminology to express deep personal emotions- a personal insight into Browningemotions- a personal insight into Browning’’s s thoughts on the burgeoning industrial Victorian thoughts on the burgeoning industrial Victorian society.society.

• Both texts offer ideas about hope or hopelessnessBoth texts offer ideas about hope or hopelessness• In In ‘‘GatsbyGatsby’’ the pervading atmosphere of the novel the pervading atmosphere of the novel

is pessimistic reflecting the nihilism of the Post is pessimistic reflecting the nihilism of the Post World War 1 era. World War 1 era.

• GatsbyGatsby’’s hope and dream of finally winning s hope and dream of finally winning DaisyDaisy’’s heart, seen as unattainable, beyond his s heart, seen as unattainable, beyond his reach- like the green light. reach- like the green light.

• MyrtleMyrtle’’s hopes, of escaping the valley of the s hopes, of escaping the valley of the ashes and George, are crushed literally by her ashes and George, are crushed literally by her death. Symbolically by a car- representing death. Symbolically by a car- representing FitzgeraldFitzgerald’’s perspective on the hedonistic society s perspective on the hedonistic society of the Jazz Age.of the Jazz Age.

• The inevitability of deathThe inevitability of death• the finality of deaththe finality of death• mortal strugglesmortal strugglesIn ‘Gatsby’ death is ineviatble bit In ‘Gatsby’ death is ineviatble bit

insignificantinsignificantThe characters approach to death is The characters approach to death is

uncaring – no one attends Gatsby’s uncaring – no one attends Gatsby’s funeralfuneral

• For Barrett Browning death is ineviatble For Barrett Browning death is ineviatble and significantand significant

• A religious event, involving judgement, A religious event, involving judgement, God’s power assertedGod’s power asserted

• In ‘Gatsby’ death is final- no religious In ‘Gatsby’ death is final- no religious belief- reflected in materialsim, belief- reflected in materialsim, carelessnesss and apathycarelessnesss and apathy

• BB- love can transcend death, eternal life BB- love can transcend death, eternal life is perfectis perfect

• G- life involves struggleG- life involves struggle

• mortal life unpleasant- shallow mortal life unpleasant- shallow relationships, lack of emotions, relationships, lack of emotions, superficial motivations, sense of superficial motivations, sense of hopelessnesshopelessness

• BB -Mortal life can be unpleasant but BB -Mortal life can be unpleasant but faith and love give it purpose. Love faith and love give it purpose. Love raises us above the realities of living.raises us above the realities of living.