| Author |
Topic:
Modern Classics of World Literature (currently disc. "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck)
|
Zaz
Title: Manager, The Ampitheatre
Registered:
Oct '98
|
Date Posted:
12/4/06 7:56pm
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing The Great Gatsby)
|
The green light on the dock. It's a very American novel, and the simplicity is quite deceptive. It's very, very good, certainly the best of Fitzgerald.
Adapted several times to the movies, by people who had no clue what it was about.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
NYCitygurl
Title: Manager of SFFBC, C&G, and NSWFF
Registered:
Jul '02
|
Date Posted:
12/6/06 6:16pm
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing The Great Gatsby)
|
The green light is a major symbol.
I thought the book was a good reflection of America in the '20s, but the story itself . . . I had trouble connecting with the characters, because they (especally Tom and Daisy) were extremely selfish.
-----signature-----
"Not till the moon falls. Not till the world ends."
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
solojones
Registered:
Sep '00
|
Date Posted:
12/6/06 9:53pm
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing The Great Gatsby)
|
I think that's the major reason that it's narrated by Nick.
Yes, this is indeed a very good novel. I would like to read it again since I haven't in several years. Although I'm afraid to right now because I'm worried it would subconsciously a screenplay I'm writing that's not really about the same thing but has enough superficial similarities that my mind could accidentally adopt things from it 
Anyway, I agree with Zaz that the simplicity is deceptive. Just because it's not Hemmingway-dark, Grapes-of-Wrath-long, or James-Joyce-stylish doesn't mean it isn't good. I think one of my greatest frustrations with both literary and film critics is in the automatic assumption that something has to appear complex to be complex. This novel is about the 20s, but not exclusively. It certainly does carry a heavy burden of Americanism, though, that makes it not quite a universal story. But it certainly has a few universialities in character.
Zaz posted:
Adapted several times to the movies, by people who had no clue what it was about.
By people who thought it was a romance 
-sj loves kevin spacey
-----signature-----
6 x 9 = 42 Proud member of the Colbert Nation  Obi-Wan Kenobi and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Ghost Ship Executor All Hail Cliegg's Blue Leg!
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
NYCitygurl
Title: Manager of SFFBC, C&G, and NSWFF
Registered:
Jul '02
|
Date Posted:
12/10/06 6:17am
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing The Great Gatsby)
|
solojones posted:
Zaz posted:
Adapted several times to the movies, by people who had no clue what it was about.
By people who thought it was a romance
Which it certainly is not.
It certainly does carry a heavy burden of Americanism, though, that makes it not quite a universal story.
That's true, but some of the themes in the book are pretty common in American literature from that time and a bit previously. The American Adam appears throughout American literature. And Nick is most definately an American Adam.
-----signature-----
"Not till the moon falls. Not till the world ends."
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Zaz
Title: Manager, The Ampitheatre
Registered:
Oct '98
|
Date Posted:
12/10/06 8:22am
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing The Great Gatsby)
|
The actors in the 1974 version didn't have much of a clue, either.
No, it's not a romance at all; it's a comment upon the American ethos.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
DarthIshtar
Title: Former CR
Registered:
Mar '01
|
Date Posted:
12/18/06 5:52pm
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing The Great Gatsby)
|
|
I love The Great Gatsby for many reasons. Mostly, I love the narrator's ability to see the transparency of an 'ideal' lifestyle and to observe the yearning of the people who unconsciously recognize it as well.
-----signature-----
"I feel like a more down-to-earth Pink 5 when I'm writing Leah. Same attitude, less lip gloss." ~Me on how to get in the right mindset for Twilight fanfic.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Zaz
Title: Manager, The Ampitheatre
Registered:
Oct '98
|
Date Posted:
12/18/06 7:50pm
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing The Great Gatsby)
|
|
I remember the sign with the glasses...
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
DarthIshtar
Title: Former CR
Registered:
Mar '01
|
Date Posted:
12/19/06 2:24am
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing The Great Gatsby)
|
|
LOL, my entire term paper was on that sign and how it symbolized the hypersensitivity of the middle and lower classes and the inability to escape image in that book.
-----signature-----
"I feel like a more down-to-earth Pink 5 when I'm writing Leah. Same attitude, less lip gloss." ~Me on how to get in the right mindset for Twilight fanfic.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
NYCitygurl
Title: Manager of SFFBC, C&G, and NSWFF
Registered:
Jul '02
|
Date Posted:
12/23/06 5:52am
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing The Great Gatsby)
|
It's got a lot of good symbols in it 
Our next book is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
One of the very first books written by a woman, Pride and Prejudice is the story of the Elizabeth Bennet and her relationship and romance with Mr. Darcy, a rich, haughty, upper-class man who is both intrigued and annoyed by her. Though not widely appreciated in her own time, Ms. Austen's novel has now become a classic romance that many, especally women, read today.
Elizabeth is a great protagonist. Spunky and clever, she is a strong woman in a time when men ruled. Ms. Austen has her tread the fine line of being an independent woman while still bowing to some of the traditions and rules of her time. She can sass Mr. Darcy while still obeying her father's wishes.
The novel also has a good supporting cast: Elizabeth's quiet older sister, Jane, is the sweetest of the Bennet girls, and is in love with Bingley, Darcy's wealthy best friend; Bingley himself, who is almost as shy as Jane and smitten with her; The evil Wickham, who broke Georgiana Darcy's heart and is now making his way through the Bennet girls; Mr. Collins, the pompous, boring relative of Mr Bennet, who wants to marry Elizabeth; Lady Catherine, Mr. Darcy's aunt, who is rich and bossy beyond belief; and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet themselves, who have an interesting relationship of their own.
Jane Austen deals with the dynamtics in relationships between men and women, class consciousness, and personal relationships.
Several movies have been made of this classic, the most famous being the six-hour version with Colin Firth and the recient one with Keira Knightly.
-----signature-----
"Not till the moon falls. Not till the world ends."
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
darth_frared
Registered:
Jun '05
|
Date Posted:
12/23/06 6:11am
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing Pride and Prejudice)
|
|
there are certain things which i cannot do, or have been proven unable to do so far: reading jane austen is one of them.
-----signature-----
illegalise stupidity.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Zaz
Title: Manager, The Ampitheatre
Registered:
Oct '98
|
Date Posted:
12/23/06 10:59am
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing Pride and Prejudice)
|
|
"Pride and Prejudice" is the easiest novel of the lot to read, mainly because without the author's ironic commentary, it's a potboiler.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
emilsson
Registered:
Oct '98
|
Date Posted:
12/23/06 11:14am
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing Pride and Prejudice)
|
|
In my opinion, it's the social relationships that makes Pride and Prejudice an interesting read. Not just the commentary on class, but also what it says about human interaction in general. I consider Elizabeth Bennet to be quite a positive model for behaviour and thinking for her day. She manages to both analyse events and take part in them and she never exhibits the kind of almost cynical attitude towards people I see in Mr Darcy. That's one reason why the book still says something to current readers.
-----signature-----
When in doubt, go to the library.
"Take no heroes, only inspiration" - C. Dean
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Zaz
Title: Manager, The Ampitheatre
Registered:
Oct '98
|
Date Posted:
12/23/06 11:20am
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing Pride and Prejudice)
|
|
But the point is, and it's right in the title, she's prejudiced against Darcy because she doesn't like him, and is deceived by Wickham, because he's smooth. Whereas Darcy's pride misleads him into behaving, as Elizabeth points out, in an 'ungentlemanly' manner. Which is also correct, and horrifies him when he realizes she's right, because he is a man who prides himself on noblesse oblige.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
emilsson
Registered:
Oct '98
|
Date Posted:
12/23/06 11:35am
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing Pride and Prejudice)
|
|
I agree, but both finally recognise their own prejudices and do something about it. I also think Austen's point may be that not all forms of pride are bad, for example self respect is a positive quality. As I recall, Mr Darcy brings that up in regards to the behaviour of some of Elizabeth's relatives.
-----signature-----
When in doubt, go to the library.
"Take no heroes, only inspiration" - C. Dean
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
NYCitygurl
Title: Manager of SFFBC, C&G, and NSWFF
Registered:
Jul '02
|
Date Posted:
12/23/06 11:51am
Subject:
RE: Modern Classics of World Literature (currently discussing Pride and Prejudice)
|
darth_frared posted:
there are certain things which i cannot do, or have been proven unable to do so far: reading jane austen is one of them.
That's a shame, because it's a really great book. I like it as a love story, but also because of the dynamics in the different relationships in the book (Elizabeth and Darcy, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet and her daughters, Jane and Bingley, even Darcy and Georgiana). I like how all the characters react to each other
There also is quite a bit on differences in class. It caused a strain between Bingley and Jane when Darcy mistook Jane for wanting money; Darcy's friend (can't remember her name) was snobbish toward Elizabeth because she thought that Elizabeth was below Darcy; Georgiana was taken advantage of by Wickham because he envied her station in life and her wealth; Darcy's rich aunt was mean to Elizabeth because she wanted her nephew to marry someone of a higher standing.
-----signature-----
"Not till the moon falls. Not till the world ends."
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
