Free Downloads The Great Gatsby (Penguin Critical Studies Guide)
Kathleen Parkinson places this brilliant and bitter satire on the moral failure of the Jazz Age firmly in the context of Scott Fitzgerald's life and times. She explores the intricate patterns of the novel, its chronology, locations, imagery, and use of color, and how these contribute to a seamless interplay of social comedy and symbolic landscape. She devotes a perceptive chapter to Fitzgerald's controversial portrayal of women, and goes on to discuss how the central characters, Gatsby and Nick Carraway, embody and confront the dualism inherent in the American dream.
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Penguin UK; Stg edition (October 1, 1988)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0140771972
ISBN-13: 978-0140771978
Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.4 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #352,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #36 in Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > Movements & Periods > Modern #400 in Books > Literature & Fiction > United States > Classics #1008 in Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > Regional & Cultural > United States
Well written and researched book on the Great Gatsby by an insightful and thoughtful scholar. I found it interesting to see her take on a major, popular, male American author during an intriguing time of change in American society. For the Gatsby afficcionando, the Fitzgerald student, as well as the individual interested in American social thought post WWI, will find this study, particularly since it is done from a British viewpoint, a valuable perspective. Many insightful footnotes and asides. References are made to Penguin's edition of the Great Gatsby but it is not necessary to have this edition. For the general reader who wishes more understanding about this tremendous novel I suggest Kathleen Parkinson's fine study an important companion.
As a teacher of high-school-level American Literature for the past fifteen years, I often feel that I have placed certain works on the back burner. After all, one year in high school is scarcely enough to explore American Literature in-depth, and much time is spent filling in the gaps created by substandard or even lapsed instruction in students' middle-school and early high-school years. _The_Great_Gatsby_ by Fitzgerald is one of the most important, most deeply American novels studied at the high school level, but it is a work which, for reasons which would take more space than a review allows, I felt has not been given the attention it deserves on my part. The fact that students still find it deeply intriguing is all the more reason that I, as instructor, should give it the attention it deserves. It is for this reason that I ordered a copy of this critical study.What this critical study will do: It will provide a refreshing, if not original, exploration of the important themes in _The_Great_Gatsby_, including those of time, location, and even a brief glimpse of feminist criticism regarding Fitzgerald's women. This being said, Kathleen Parkinson's forte seems to be historical criticism, and her research on Fitzgerald's life is strongly reflected in her work.What this critical study will not do: It will not provide new or fresh insight to those who have studied the novel in-depth, who have read the criticism on _Gatsby_ and the author's other works, or those who have experience teaching the novel at the post-secondary level. Conversely, it is not a simple gloss on the text,à la Cliff Notes, and will not be useful to the reluctant (i.e., lazy) reader.This critical study was a nice refresher for a secondary teacher trying to prevent his teaching from going stale. It would be just as useful to a serious post-secondary student studying the novel in-depth for the first time. I suspect that those who have read the serious criticism on this text would be disappointed. In conclusion, for me, it was worthwhile; for others, not so much.
Fans of F Scott Fizgerald, in general, and The Great Gatsby, specifically, will enjoy this book. It's a thoughtful, well sited analysis of this great work. It provided me with understanding of many subtle aspects of the book and enhanced my enjoyment. Has me looking forward to yet another read of The Great Gatsby.
As another reviewer advises, this is NOT the novel. It is an extremely well done study guide, commentary, and analysis. There is a great amount of background information. This work added so much to the actual reading of the novel.When I first read The Great Gadsby, it was the first time I read anything of Mr. Fitgrald's work. I liked the novel, but in truth did not see why it was considered so iconic. Therefore I read all of Mr. Fitzgerald's completed novels in the order they were published. Then I reread the Great Gadsby and then studied this fine work of Miss Parkinson. I now have a much greater appreciation.of the novel.The Great Gadsby is fiction. However it is fiction based on the a combination of details about the author's own life and the circumstances of the time period, society, and location. Kathleen Parkinson brings all of this together into a real reading experience.
After reading the authorized version and seeing the play, this book fills in everything that you need to know . The latter meaning, the time the book was written and how it had an impact on Fitzgerald's writing this particular book. Many more insights that enlighten.
I got this book because The Great Gatsby is one of my absolute favorite books! I read it in English class and have liked it ever since. This "study guide" really shows you a lot of the themes and story line elements, that I didn't even pick up in English class when we were studying it.
I thought this was the real Great Gatsby book with additional commentary, but it is primarily a commentary with little of the original text.This version does not include the complete text of the book like some of the other editions do.The commentary is okay, but not as helpful as some other study guides.
But it does not include who help George to kill Gatsby, he could not afford to get a gun in fact...
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