Discussion Thread 3 - Great Works in Haiku

One dictionary definition of haiku is "a type of Japanese poetry which captures the impression of a single object or aspect of nature" (Quinn, A Dictionary of Literary Terms. New York: Checkmark Books, 2000). You may know that the form consists of three lines of unrhymed verse consisting of five, seven, and five syllables, respectively.

This final blog entry of for fun. Inspired by David Bader's One Hundred Great Books in Haiku, you should try to present some aspect of one or more of our works from this term in haiku form.

Here are Bader's examples of three works that we know well:

Oedipus the King
Chorus: Poor bastard.
Oedipus: This is awful!
Blind seer: Told you so!

Pride and Prejudice
Single white lass seeks
landed gent for marriage, whist.
No parsons, thank you.

The Great Gatsby
Beauty to weep for
coral, azure, apple green.
His custom-made shirts.

Can you top that? (I know that you can.) Before the end of the term, take a shot (or two, or three) at memorializing one of our works in haiku form. Have fun!

Discussion Thread 2 - What makes Gatsby so great?

In 1963, the distinguished scholar Lionel Trilling wrote that at the end of Fitzgerald's novel, Jay Gatsby "comes inevitably to stand for America itself." We also know Nick's assertion that Gatsby "turned out all right at the end." Knowing all that we know of him, and considering these two well-reasoned opinions of the character, how can we call him "great?" Is the title meant to be an homage to Gatsby? Is it meant to be ironic? And is your opinion of him similar to your opinion of the America that Fitzgerald seems to show us in the novel?

Choose some or all of these points to guide your response.

Discussion Thread 1 - The "stylings" of F. Scott Fitzgerald

As we have discussed in class, one of the most difficult ideas to understand about a work of writing is how to describe an author's style. Choose a brief passage - a paragraph or less - from anywhere in the reading thus far and use it to discuss how it reveals Fitzgerald's style in this novel. Focus on how he uses language to express meaning in your chosen passage. What literary devices does he use? What is the effect of his use of those devices? Where possible, you should also comment on your peers' blog entries.