Literature and Society Midterm Summary PDF

Literature and society Midterm summary Chapter one: Important notes: Benefits of Literature and society: 1-They impact each other. 2-Gives us the ability to analyze texts within its historical and cultural contexts. 3-Gives us the ability to connect...

Literature and society Midterm summary Chapter one: Important notes: Benefits of Literature and society: 1-They impact each other. 2-Gives us the ability to analyze texts within its historical and cultural contexts. 3-Gives us the ability to connect and think critically. 4-Literature serves as a medium for self-expression and social change and by doing so it provides a lens through which we can understand sociopolitical forces that shape our lives. 5-Literature serves as a medium for the preservation and shaping of cultural identities and heritage. 6- Literature serves as a historical artifact as much as an artistic endeavor. 7- Literature allows us to imagine alternatives to existing social systems. Questions: How can literature be regarded as a medium? It is a creative medium through which the writer expresses his point of view regarding certain social situations. How can literature be a platform? It is a platform because through which writers express their beliefs and point of views. How can literature preserve and shape cultural identity and heritage? By raising awareness. Why is the relationship between literature and society described as being symbiotic? They are associated. Literature can be used as a tool for challenging dominant ideologies in society. Why is literature the lighthouse of societies culture? Because, it enlightens people's minds, gives voice to the marginalized and is a medium for social change. Literature within the context of its time period: Examples on how writers could weave historical events into their story: Les Misérables by Victor Hugo who devotes entire chapters to the Napoleonic wars and the 1832 June rebellion. David Copperfield by Charles dickens who wrote about the industrial revolution and its impact on Britain. Example on how literature gives voice to people who are marginalized:  The color purple by Alice Walker tells a story of an African-American woman who faces racism, patriarchy and oppression. Examples on how literature raises awareness of social issued and injustices: To kill a mocking bird by Harper Lee challenged racism and segregation in the American South. Ken Saro-Wiwa's poetry exposed the environmental and social injustices perpetrated by multinational corporations in Nigeria. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood explore the oppression of women and the dangers of totalitarianism. Examples on how literature allows us to imagine alternatives to existing social systems: Brave new world by Aldous Huxley and 1984 by George Orwell offer a bleak view of what society could look like if we continue on our current path. Example on how literature can provide a platform for social and political activism: Miss Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin was directly responsible for a movement against slavery. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Introduction important notes: It is written in 1925 reflecting the Jazz age of the 1920s. Jazz music became the vogue at that time and it started in Harlem. 1920s was the age of entertainment (Cinema – jazz) Fitz is known for his poetic language so he likes to describe everything. Fitz is reflecting the materialistic age in his novel. The American Dream signifies: Hard work. Self-reliance. Individualism. Competition. Achievement of great wealth. The economic boom of that age started to fail 1929-1939 due to the emergence of stock exchange. Old money: Inherited money/generational wealth. New money: Money that came from illegal activities. Consumerism: spending money in consumed goods through installments. In the novel Gatsby focused on the superficial things in life rather than focusing on core things. Hedonism: Pursuit of pleasure.  Daisy symbolizes: The illusion of the American dream that completes Gatsby's dream. She symbolizes superficiality. The novel is not written in a chronological order. Sophistication at that time is superficial. Introductory questions: In what period of American history is The Great Gatsby set? The great Gatsby reflects the society of the 1920s referred to as the "jazz age". What was the impact of world war 1 on the American society? WW1 led to disillusionment amongst the youth as a result of witnessing the horrors of war and this made the youth reject societal norms and by doing so this led to the emergence of the "flapper girl" a new type of girl who smoke and drank. WW1 also led to industrial and economic boom that led to consumerism/malaise. What does the American dream stand for? It is a concept that shows that anyone can succeed and be happy through hard work. What are the issues that Scott criticized in the American society? Fitz highlights and criticizes the moral decay of America during the 1920s and how at that time people were focused on pleasure, materialism and social status. How far is The Great Gatsby representative of the age? The novel provides a snapshot of the changes ad new norms that happened to the American society after ww1. "The Great Gatsby" Chapter one questions and notes: What is the significance of the epigraph to the incidence of the novel? And who said the epigraph? -The epigraph sets the stage for the novel's themes which are "love, desire, pursuit of wealth and social status. -It foreshadows the shallow and materialistic values of the characters and it underlines the superficiality of society. -Thomas Parke D'Invilliers. Who is the narrator and what is his perspective? -The narrator is Nick Carraway and the perspective is a first person's pov. What impressions do we get of Nick's personality? He is non-biased, open-minded, non-judgmental, trust worthy and an active listener. How did Nick come to work in the east? It was the only available opportunity at that time.  How does Nick perceive Gatsby? Nick perceives Gatsby with skepticism, he regards him as a symbol of excess and moral decay, to Nick Gatsby is a mysterious person. What is the difference between the west and east egg? -West egg; the emerging new class of new money. -East egg; those who had inherited the wealth/old money. Where did Gatsby and the Buchannans live? -Gatsby lived in the west egg while the Buchannans resided in the east egg. How is Gatsby's mansion described? It is described as an enormous anachronistic (VERY OLD) palace, ostentatious (flashy) and this reveals its vulgarity and how it is only an imitation of the east egg. The usage of white in Gatsby's mansion: -Shows contradiction because white usually symbolizes purity. - using white a lot in the mansion makes it so glaring. What characterizes the residents of the West Egg? -They are an imitation of the east egg but in an ostentatious way in an attempt to be equal to those in the east egg. How does Nick introduce Tom? He introduces him as a wealthy, aggressive and arrogant character emphasizing his physical strength and sense of entitlement. Tom is compensating his loss of glory by being arrogant, a brute, conceited and having that sense of entitlement. He has become nothing but a hollow man. What is Nick's First impression of Daisy? She is not an easy character to fathom/deeply understand. She has an element of insincerity in dealing with people. What does Daisy represent for the other characters? -Daisy represents a Mirage/promise. -Something to look up to (superficial and hollow). How is Daisy described? Self-indulgent/cares only for herself and as a person who lacks insincerity and warmth. How does the description of the physical space correlate with the character of the house? -Tom's mansion; Old money, grand colonial style, luxury, taste, power and the center of attention. -Gatsby's mansion; New money, lacks taste, ostentatious, lacks authenticity and it is just a display.  How is the East egg way of life depicted? -it is depicted as frivolous, superficial and immoral in every sense. -full of corruption as they are exerted from being punished by law. What kind of world do the Buchannans live in? Immoral and frivolous in which the east egg dwellers. Who is Jordan Baker? And what does she represent? -Jordan Baker is a professional golfer who could have been the representative of the new woman but instead she is a cynical character and goes with the flow. - Jordan is part of the entourage (Daisy and Tom) and she is neither old or new money (limbo/in-between) and she represents the flapper girl. What do Daisy's words reveal about women's status at that time? -At that time women were not regarded as human beings. -adherence to the superficial codes of society was all a woman should do. What characterizes the post-world war generation? -Cynicism, disillusionment due to the emergence of consumerism which led to corruption. -Consumerism pervaded at that time which led to the fact that young people became disillusioned because everything lost its worth and value which also led to the corruption of society. What does Nick represent? Nick represents the conscious. How was Gatsby blindsided? -He was blindsided by the means by which he would achieve his dream and he was infatuated with what daisy represent not daisy as a person. -His dream was purely materialistic. How does Nick feel towards the Buchannans? Nick looks disapprovingly at the Buchannans way of life and believes that it lacks sincerity. What is Nick's impression on first meeting Gatsby? -He believes that he has an air of mystery surrounding him, making him an enigmatic character. -he regards Gatsby with a positive impression and he has a feeling of serenity towards him. What does the green light signify? It signifies the lure of the American dream/daisy and Gatsby's undying love for daisy.