In this concluding module on Tender Is the Night, Professor Dimock examines the character of Nicole Diver and the biographical context of Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald's mental health. The analysis focuses on the theme of dispossession and the pacing of Dick Diver's narrative.
Key discussions include:
This module offers a nuanced understanding of Fitzgerald's portrayal of mental illness and the impact of societal expectations on personal identity.
In this introductory module, Professor Dimock presents an overview of the course and its structure, focusing on the three main authors: Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Faulkner. Students will explore the historical context of American modernism and how each author's works reflect the complexities of post-World War I America.
Key themes discussed include:
This module sets the stage for a deeper understanding of the authors' interconnected literary contributions.
This module focuses on Hemingway's first major work, In Our Time, a collection of vignettes that marked the beginning of his literary career. Professor Dimock analyzes three key vignettes, demonstrating how Hemingway's succinct style captures themes of pain and violence amid ethnic tensions in the Midwest.
Students will learn about:
The discussions will emphasize the empathetic boundaries of communal suffering and the complexities of inter-ethnic conflict.
In this continuation of the discussion on In Our Time, Professor Dimock examines additional clusters of chapters, focusing on Hemingway's narrative techniques and emotional resilience. The module highlights how Hemingway blends tragedy and comedy, creating a unique humor that oscillates between irony and farce.
Key elements covered include:
Students will explore the complexities of character development and thematic depth in Hemingway's writing.
This module delves into Fitzgerald's iconic novel The Great Gatsby, focusing on its experimental qualities and themes of counter-realism. Professor Dimock discusses Fitzgerald's use of inanimate objects, imbuing them with emotional significance, and the implications of race within the narrative.
Students will explore:
This module emphasizes Fitzgerald's innovative storytelling techniques and the thematic complexities of his work.
In this second part of the The Great Gatsby discussion, Professor Dimock evaluates the auditory and visual dynamics between the novel's characters. She establishes connections between the Jazz Age and the novel's overarching themes of accountability, illusion, and disillusion.
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This module aims to deepen students' understanding of Fitzgerald's narrative intricacies and character relationships.
This module introduces Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury, focusing on its narrative complexity and character perspectives. Professor Dimock discusses the novel's first section narrated by Benjy Compson, exploring themes of innocence and familial decline.
Students will learn about:
The discussions will highlight Faulkner's innovative approach to storytelling and character development.
In this continuation of the analysis of The Sound and the Fury, Professor Dimock juxtaposes Quentin's stream-of-consciousness narrative with Benjy's perspective. This module highlights the kinship and variation between the two brothers, focusing on their relationships with race and Caddy's loss of innocence.
Students will explore:
This module emphasizes the emotional depth and thematic richness of Faulkner's work.
This module discusses Jason's section of The Sound and the Fury, focusing on themes of anger and loss of community. Professor Dimock examines Jason's narrative as a reflection of broader societal issues and the modern condition.
Key points include:
This module provides insight into Faulkner's exploration of emotional and social themes.
In this module, Professor Dimock closes her analysis of The Sound and the Fury, focusing on the omniscient narrator's perspective and the roles of Luster and Dilsey. The module emphasizes themes of redemption and community restoration in the narrative's conclusion.
Students will explore:
This module highlights Faulkner's ability to weave complex character arcs into a cohesive narrative about family and community.
This module introduces Hemingway's To Have and Have Not, discussing its origins as a series of short stories. Professor Dimock analyzes Hemingway's exploration of social classifications and the complexities of race, class, and sexuality within the narrative.
Students will learn about:
This module sets the foundation for understanding Hemingway's socio-political commentary through his characters.
In this second part of the To Have and Have Not analysis, Professor Dimock examines the characters' evolving identities amid the socio-political backdrop of the Cuban Revolutions and the Great Depression. The module highlights how characters reflect the dichotomy of "Have" versus "Have Not."
Key discussions include:
This module emphasizes the complexity of character motivations and social commentary within Hemingway's work.
In this module, Professor Dimock analyzes Fitzgerald's short stories, including "The Rich Boy" and "Babylon Revisited." She examines how Fitzgerald represents social types and the tension between conformity and deviation from societal ideals.
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This module offers insight into Fitzgerald's critique of social norms and the American Dream.
This module focuses on Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, examining its themes in the context of the Great Depression. Professor Dimock discusses narrative techniques and social dialects to highlight the struggles of poor whites in the South.
Key topics include:
This module emphasizes Faulkner's innovative narrative structure and its reflection of social issues.
In the second part of the As I Lay Dying discussion, Professor Dimock traces Faulkner's blending of the epic genre with themes of kinship and resurrection. She analyzes character connections and the significance of Tull and Jewel's relationships with animals.
Key discussions include:
This module highlights Faulkner's unique narrative style and thematic depth.
In this module, Professor Dimock concludes her analysis of As I Lay Dying, focusing on the shifting generic forms within the narrative. She examines the balance of comedy and tragedy as characters navigate their respective journeys.
Students will explore:
This module emphasizes the complexity of Faulkner's storytelling and the rich thematic landscape of the novel.
This module discusses Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls, focusing on its historical context during the Spanish Civil War. Professor Dimock introduces the concept of "involuntary foreigners" to analyze the protagonist Robert Jordan's experiences.
Key discussions include:
This module emphasizes the complexities of Hemingway's characters and their relationships to the socio-political landscape.
This module continues the analysis of For Whom the Bell Tolls, exploring Robert Jordan's relationship with the environment and his reflections on distant homes. Professor Dimock examines themes of racial and ethnic conflict within this context.
Topics covered include:
This module aims to deepen students' understanding of Hemingway's thematic concerns regarding identity and belonging.
In this module, Professor Dimock focuses on the themes of dying and not dying in For Whom the Bell Tolls. She discusses the aesthetics of death, exploring both the tragic and comic dimensions of mortality depicted in the narrative.
Key discussions include:
This module emphasizes the complexities of Hemingway's portrayal of death and its significance within the narrative.
This module concludes the analysis of For Whom the Bell Tolls, focusing on themes of dispossession and repossession. Professor Dimock examines the implications of Maria's rape and Robert Jordan's struggles for agency and redemption.
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This module emphasizes the overarching themes of power, loss, and the quest for agency in Hemingway's work.
This module introduces Fitzgerald's Tender Is the Night, exploring its narrative techniques borrowed from film. Professor Dimock discusses the influence of Hollywood on Fitzgerald's work and how these techniques enhance the storytelling.
Key topics include:
This module emphasizes Fitzgerald's innovative approach to storytelling within the context of 20th-century literature.
In this concluding module on Tender Is the Night, Professor Dimock examines the character of Nicole Diver and the biographical context of Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald's mental health. The analysis focuses on the theme of dispossession and the pacing of Dick Diver's narrative.
Key discussions include:
This module offers a nuanced understanding of Fitzgerald's portrayal of mental illness and the impact of societal expectations on personal identity.
This module provides an overview of Faulkner's Light in August, focusing on the character of Lena and the narrative's fusion of comedy with epic themes. Professor Dimock discusses the traditional story of the unwed mother and its modern reinterpretation.
Key topics include:
This module emphasizes Faulkner's ability to blend humor and tragedy in his exploration of social themes.
In this continuation of the Light in August discussion, Professor Dimock delves into the nuances of kindness and malice within the narrative. She compares the experiences of characters Joanna Burden and Reverend Hightower, exploring their ethical challenges.
Key discussions include:
This module emphasizes the complexities of human interactions and the moral dilemmas faced by characters in Faulkner's work.
This module focuses on the unresolved racial issues in Faulkner's Light in August, particularly through the character of Joe Christmas. Professor Dimock analyzes the varying uses of the term "nigger" and its implications for race relations in the narrative.
Key discussions include:
This module aims to foster critical discussions about race and identity in American literature.
In the final module of Light in August, Professor Dimock maps Faulkner's themes of predestination and agency onto the narrative. She explores the character dynamics between Joe Christmas and Lena Grove, emphasizing their interconnected journeys.
Key discussions include:
This concluding module highlights the rich thematic tapestry woven throughout Faulkner's work, leaving students with a deep understanding of his literary contributions.