April 2, 2012
Quick Write:
Write about a time when you or
someone you know achieved a
goal that should have brought
happiness, but instead brought
dissatisfaction.
The Moderns: 1914-1939
• A loss of faith in the American Dream
• Questioning of Puritan-based traditions that had
guided American life
• Rejection of sentimentality and artificiality in favor
of capturing reality
• Bold experimentation in style and form, reflecting
the fragmentation of society
• Interest in the individual and the inner workings of
the human mind.
Character Motivation
• Motivation refers to the reasons why
characters behave the way they do.
• It can be internal or external, or
come from multiple sources.
• Characters are not always aware of
their own motivations.
Inferences
An inference is an educated guess based on facts
presented in the text and on your own life
experience.
• Why does Dexter want to marry Judy?
• Why does Judy treat men so carelessly?
• Why does Dexter propose to Irene?
April 3, 2012 (Honors)
Bellwork: Please answer both questions.
1. Finding details: What is Mr. Jones’s
opinion of Dexter? (pg. 859)
2. Making inferences: What does the
phrase “white linen nurse” suggest
about Judy’s attitude towards her
caretaker? (pg. 859, second column,
halfway down)
April 4, 2012 (Honors)
1. A recurring theme in Fitzgerald’s work is the
pursuit of the American dream. What does
Fitzgerald see as the American dream? What
evidence from the story supports your answer.
2. At the end of the story, what loss does Dexter
lament? Use evidence to support your answer.
3. A story’s climax is the point in the plot that
creates the greatest amount of interest. Which
event marks the climax of this story?
April 4, 2012
Find your group, take out your “Winter Dreams”
questions, and review your answers. Focus on
your group’s questions. Be prepared to share your
answers.
Group 1: N and U
Group 2: O and W
Group 3: P and X
Group 4: S and Z
Group 5: T and V
How does “Winter Dreams” reflect
these characteristics of writing from
the Modern period?
• A loss of faith in the American Dream
• Questioning of Puritan-based traditions that
had guided American life
• Rejection of sentimentality and artificiality in
favor of capturing reality
• A loss of faith in the American Dream
• Judy represents the American Dream, and Dexter can not have her.
• Dexter is not satisfied with the success that he does have.
• Judy does not seem to have a clear sense of purpose.
• Questioning of Puritan-based traditions that had
guided American life
• Judy has relationships with many men.
• Dexter and Judy kiss and spend time alone even though they are not
engaged or married.
• Dexter spends time with Judy although he is engaged to Irene, and
breaks off the engagement.
• Rejection of sentimentality and artificiality in favor of
capturing reality
• Judy, the main female character, has many flaws that are obvious to
the readers. She is not artificial and perfect, but more like a real
human.
• Dexter does not have a happy ending. He never fulfills all of his
dreams.
Modern American Fiction
Short stories:
1. F. Scott Fitzgerald and “Winter Dreams”
2. William Faulkner and “A Rose for Emily”
3. James Thurber and “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”
4. Flannery O’Connor and “The Life You Save May Be
Your Own”
Poetry:
1. “Chicago” by Carl Sandburg
2. “what if a much of a which of a wind” by E.E.
Cummings
3. “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost
4. “Birches” by Robert Frost
Extra: The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot
Modern American Fiction Review
• Identify the period known as modernism: 19141939. Name some characteristics of the writing.
• Understand the concept of the American dream
• Identify Historical events that affect writing- WWI,
Jazz Age/Roaring 20s, and the Great Depression
• Describe characteristics of Southern Gothic tales
• From short stories: Inferences and predictions,
motivation, foreshadowing, and irony
• From poetry: Style, syntax, apostrophe, allusion,
symbolism
April 5, 2012 (Honors)
Bellwork:
In a small group of 4, brainstorm specific
examples of individuals or groups who choose
not to accept forward movement in society.
Why do you think they are uninterested in
progress? How does this position affect their
lives?
Be prepared to share an answer from your
group.