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Research Paper On The Great Gatsby

802 Words4 Pages

Literature is something that is meant to be shared and discussed, not something that should be forgotten and tucked away. Many pieces of classic texts are still prominent in today’s society, making them essential for people to read. From romance to nonfiction, there is always something to learn about from books.There should be specific texts that all students in high school English should read due to exposure to new cultures and ideas, plus students are able to discuss and participate in class more. Culture is something that should be shared, so society as a whole can learn about it. It is especially important for children to learn to be accepting of new ideas. Students in high school should widely respect different lifestyles and learn to …show more content…

However, the use of certain texts in high school English can increase participation. It can also create debates that stimulate new thoughts and ideas. Source B is a table that demonstrates different educational institutions' use of different texts in school, as well as percentages of how much they are used in these schools. Although public and independent schools are listed separately, ultimately the texts listed in the table represent the same ideas of what books are typically assigned to read in schools. One book listed on the table is “The Great Gatsby,” where the green light in the text is often interpreted in different ways. Some may interpret the light as a representation of money and greed, while others might argue that it represents loss and sadness. A teacher can open the floor of the classroom to discussion, leading to engaging conversations on what an author is trying to symbolize with their text, just like “The Great Gatsby” and the green light. The use of thought provoking specified texts in high school English classes can create deep and meaningful conversations that can ultimately make students understand the text better. Source C (Greer) highlights how certain texts can create controversial debates that stimulate thoughts and participation. The example that was provided was how a certain book was left out of an anthology due to its intense sexual nature. The discussion of the text eventually led to a debate over if it was “appropriate.” Debates often lead to new ideas being shared, and it can also lead to new opinions on different topics. Although debates can be seen as intense, high schoolers are allowed the chance to voice their opinions on certain topics.Picking a specific chosen book to talk about during English class leads to healthy discussion of what each student has read and how they interpreted it. The use of certain shared texts in high school English

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In his book “Beyond the Culture Wars: How teaching the conflicts can revitalize American education” Gerald Graff, describes his experience in his youth of disliking books and the discourse of literature. The excerpt “Disliking Books” from that book shares the story of Gerald’s experience with early education to his collegiate experience which then later inspired him to become a literature professor. Through sharing his experiences in his youth and at college Graff shares the added value that can come through adversity and education. Born into an educated middle-class Jewish family in an ethnic area of Chicago, a rougher side of town.

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Author Dana Gioia shares her views on why reading is essential in “Why Literature Matters”. Gioia writes her thoughts on the subject because of recent studies showing a decline in reading. She illustrates a strong argument by utilizing ethos and pathos in her writing. throughout “Why Literature Matters” there is a repeating pattern of ethos used to persuade readers to view the subject as the author does. There are numerous examples of name-dropping and calling out notable organizations.

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Different types of literature open new doors through which students’ can explore the unknown and expand their knowledge of controversial topics. The great examples found in literature have been the subject of much debate, as school boards wrestle with whether children should be allowed to read such difficult, harsh topics, as said in the article “How Banning Books Marginalizes Children” (Source F). There are so many brilliant works of literature spanning a wide variety of genres and topics, and a single school board should not determine what students learn. No one is proposing that second graders read The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, but rather that we intentionally choose literature that will expand, rather than limit, children’s options and minds. Not only do these great works lay the groundwork for our future generation, but they also serve to diversify students’ writing and analysis skills.

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Gerald Graff, a professor of English at the University of Chicago, has written several books containing various approaches to learning and education. In one of these books Beyond the Culture Wars an excerpt titled “Disliking Books” recounts his struggle with reading throughout his academic career and focuses on the experiences that changed his perspectives on literature and, ultimately, encouraged him to pursue a career in teaching literature. The excerpt is summarized below in this paper as part of my studies in English literature. In his youth, Gerald Graff had an unabashed stance on books—he didn't like them at all.

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He argues that books are a source of knowledge and comfort for people in difficult times. Which shows the audience an emotional appeal to the Drake School Board. In addition, Vonnegut uses historical facts to show the dangers of book banning and burning. He mentions that Nazi’s burned books and the Soviet censorship as examples of how book banning can lead to totalitarianism.

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868 Words | 4 Pages

For instance, the author explains how young adult books containing graphic details help students persevere and connect through their problems. He explains, “I read books about monsters and monstrous things, often written in monstrous language because they taught me how to battle the real monsters in my life.” (Alexie, 25). The rhetorical device Pathos was used to convince the reader that young adult novels give the youth a way to personally connect through their traumatic experiences. Young adult books containing sensitive topics guide students on how to face their conflicts.

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but the book has also sparked wild discussions about its content and if it should be taught in schools across the country. Although The Catcher In The Rye presents strong sexual themes and vulgar language, these aspects showcase the characters ' deepest emotions while staying true to the human experience and the power of language. The very same issues that cause the catcher in the rye to climb the banned book list, sexual themes and vulgar language, are exactly the things that make this piece worth teaching in high school curriculums, as they show readers the truest

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Therefore, reading uncomfortable literature might help students gain crucial social and emotional skills. Also, it might inspire students to consider their opinions, past experiences, and biases. By exposing students to uncomfortable literature, we can foster their intellectual and emotional growth and equip them to be active and responsible citizens. Yet avoiding

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759 Words | 4 Pages

The Great Gatsby Novel and Films Novels and movies are very different but work together rather well. A movie shows the story and the novel tells it. The Great Gatsby novel goes more in-depth and helps the reader see the rhetorical purpose that F. Scott Fitzgerald wanted to get through. F. Scott Fitzgerald used many rhetorical strategies in The Great Gatsby to get his readers to understand the purpose of this novel, He used Imagery, metaphors, similes, personification, and more. The 1974 film The Great Gatsby did not really capture as much as the novel, it was rather strange and had many random things, and it was more out of order compared to the novel.

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Upon graduating from Valparaiso University, Professor Kuhn taught middle schoolers in Hong Kong for several years. Afterward she taught high school, and then she came to teach at Concordia University. With thirty years of experience in education Professor Kuhn is without a doubt, "… the best prof ever" (Kuhn 3). In the course rhetorical approaches to literature and culture, Professor Kuhn's mission is, "To destroy how you watch movies and read books, forever" (Kuhn 1). Throughout the course, through exploration of various novels, literary analysis and class discussions we will discover the immense power behind the words and rhetoric that we use.

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Just as Anne Frank's Book, exposes students to the situation she was in. All of these books are being censored in schools today, taking away from the reality of the past. Chen asserts that, "By exposing students to a myriad of confusing and troubling topics, teachers are guiding students into the reality of the complex adult and social world. Each text is chosen for a specific grade and age group; therefore, the books serve as a scaffold to slowly guide students to build upon more complicated ideas and realities(7). " Having students read these books allows for safe discussions on not just the literature, but also these topics.

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815 Words | 4 Pages

Being “The Great” is known for doing big, dramatic, and heroic accomplishments. It's believed this person should be helping the community or others, doing big things for the people. Gatsby may be seen as successful due some of his history and how much money he had said. It’s understandable how people think he is so great, he knows a lot of rich people, gets what he wants but it seems he has no actual dream or goal that has to do with anyone that doesn't do anything with himself. Jay Gatsby is not “The Great”.

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935 Words | 4 Pages

School is a place where students have the opportunity to learn. In fact, the entire point of attending school is to learn about the past, the present, and to prepare students for the future. With this said, taking important factors away from the past--whether they are negative or not--does not benefit academic learners. In some schools, To Kill A Mockingbird has been removed from curriculum or even banned because of the use of repetitive racial slurs and “uncomfortable” situations. Recently, many people have dove straight into debating the pros and cons of this novel.

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She believes the syllabus provided to students do not include any challenging books, and her belief toward high school teachers becoming too lazy to examine thoroughly if the book the education system provides them with represent any true and significant value is a recurring concern of hers’- therefore ineffective to students. All in all, Prose used ethos, pathos, logos and the usage of specific words to help her argument. She successfully persuades her point of view and makes it clear that if schools want their curriculum to improve, they must change their way of teaching and push their students to view literature in a new

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506 Words | 3 Pages

In the article, “Why Literature Matters” by Dana Gioia, he states that the decline of interest in literature—especially from young teens—will have a negative outcome in society. Notably, he informs the readers by utilizing strong vocabulary, as well as rhetorical appeals to persuade his audience that the decline in reading will have a negative outcome. This allows readers to comprehend his views and join his side of the argument. Gioia’s word choice assists in showing the magnitude of the text by stressing the meaning and importance of his argument.

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