Class Summary for April 9, 2008

Hey guys! Sorry for posting the summary of yesterday's class today, but I forgot my notes in my locker. Rather than try to remember what happened in class and potentially forget an important point someone brought up, I just waited until today to blog. Hope that doesn't inconvenience anyone!
So, on April 9 we continued our discussion of The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman. Ian began by noting that Fitzgerald was a member of the Lost Generation, an important distinction to make when analyzing Gatsby. (The Lost Generation refers to the time period between the end of WWI and the beginning of the Great Depression. This generation was largely disillusioned by the chaos of war and the extreme number of casualties. The generation that won the war turned away from conservatism toward money, opulence, and exuberance to compensate for the tragedy of war.) The cultural fascination with wealth of Fitzgerald's era is clearly reflected in Gatsby.
Ben observed that the deaths of the main characters in each of the novels were exaggerated endings, perhaps unnecessarily tragic ends to already miserable plot lines. Laz commented that while these endings were bleak, at least they were definite outcomes. Jasmine postulated that Willy's death was more tragic, but Grace disagreed because Gatsby's death was outside of his own control whereas Willy's death was of his own volition. Grace suggested that Gatsby's death paralleled the Americn fear of not being able to control one's own destiny.
Arka pointed out that Willy believes wholeheartedly in the American dream. He relentlessly pursued success and wealth but never achieved it, thus his life was a failure. Laz questioned whether Willy was truly a failure, or if he simply had a different perception of success. Allison stated that Willy was in fact a failure, because Charley offered him a job (a chance to make his American dream a reality), but he was insulted by the offer and considered it to be beneath him. A person who truly desires success would jump at the chance to rise through the ranks, even if it means started at the base position. Laz wondered if this was archetypally American - to be unwilling to work but to also crave success. Donna mentioned that even Willy's desire for Biff's success was a bit selfish, because Biff's success and wealth would allow Willy to boast that he had raised an accomplished son and would also allow him to finally experience success, though it would be felt only vicariously.
Laz brought up the significance of owning property and how owning a home fufilled part of the American Dream. Paige recalled Willy's lack of enthusiasm when his wife told him that they had finally made the last payment on the house. She questioned whether owning his own home was a component of Willy's American dream. But Cristy pointed out that Willy also tried to start a garden in the backyard, suggesting that he at least tried to make something out of his meager position.
Ben returned to the topic of pride vs. seizing the opportunity to earn money. He felt that one should cast pride aside and take opportunities as they come, and worry about the consequences later. This is the path that some of the richest men in American history have followed - Rockefeller and Carnegie practically had monopolies over their markets, (due to corrupt prcticies) but no one can argue that they were not both huge successes. Grace stated that it all really depends on how an "opportunity" is presented. Someone might be influenced to take a job depending on the context and manner of the offer. She brought up Hayakawa's story of A-Town and B-Ville and the 'welfare checks' as an example. Jasmine agreed and felt that this was even a contemporary issue. Many people won't take jobs at McDonald's or other fast-food chains because they think it is degrading and beneath them, but these same people are struggling to make home payments, insurance payments, and car payments and are falling into thousands of dollars of debt. Laz brought up the fact that the majority of these positions are filled by immigrants. Immigrants are willing to take jobs that seem "unglamorous" to most Americans. He asked who was more American in the pursuit of the American dream.
Erin suggested that Americans aren't willing to take these jobs because stigmas against them are taught to children at a very young age. Amy was able to draw connections to her own research paper, and explained that when Castro came to power, the wealthiest Cubans fled the country for America. They were used to comfortable lifestyles back home, but took very basic jobs in the US to support their families and set up simple establishments.
Arka introduced the topic of what the East and West represent, both in America today and in Gatsby. Gatsby wanted to go to the city to learn the bond trade, but eventually found out that the East was obsessed with all things material and their behavior was immoral. In early America, the frontier was the American dream. Having one's own plot of land to do whatever one pleased was ideal. Now that the frontier has disappeared, the "corrupt East" has spread its values across the country. Donna added that when she lived in California, her friends were obsessed with New York City luxury. But over here, many are awed by California's laid back sunshine stlye. The East wants to be like the West, and the West wants to be like the East. Not to sound cliche, but the grass does always seem greener on the other side.

This was about where we ended the discussion for the day. I believe Paige and Allison had a bit more commentary, but I can't seem to read my own handwriting and my notes trail off there. (I can only write for so long before my broken finger begins to throb - I have a legit excuse, people!) But yesterday's was an excellent discussion indeed!

-Ashley