As an independent learner, you must discover where to find educational material. You will summarize the material necessary to meet the requirements of the assignment. You will create a Works Cited page with your sources in the M.L.A. documentation style.
Choose an American author from the list. Research the author, hitting on important biographical information.
As part of your research, look for answers to the following questions:
- What view of life do their themes represent? Positive or negative?
- How do they represent an aspect of “The American Dream” theme? (Look it up!)
- Which genre do they write in? Is it poetry, fiction, non-fiction? Gothic, Romantic, Realistic, etc.?
- How do they represent development in American history? (What part of American History do you learn about?)
- Describe what culture they represent. Race, socio-economic status, education?
- Evaluate their philosophy – how they view the world and their place in it; politics – are they liberal, conservative, etc. in their political leanings; religion – does religion play a part in the writing and how; and/or social influence – is their writing influenced by the culture of the times or other writers?
Full Answer Section
View of Life: Fitzgerald's work often presents a bittersweet view of life. His characters grapple with disillusionment and the loss of innocence, despite moments of joy and celebration. There's a sense of longing for the past and a struggle to find meaning in a rapidly changing world.
The American Dream: Fitzgerald's novels explore the dark side of the American Dream. Characters chase wealth and social status, but their success often leads to emptiness and moral decay. His novel The Great Gatsby perfectly exemplifies this, showcasing the emptiness behind Gatsby's extravagant lifestyle and the hollowness of the American upper class.
Genre: Fitzgerald primarily wrote fiction, specifically novels and short stories. His work falls under the category of Realism as it portrays a realistic picture of American society during the Jazz Age.
Development in American History: Fitzgerald's work captures the cultural and social shifts of the 1920s. His novels depict the loosening of traditional morals, the rise of consumerism, and the disillusionment that followed World War I. Through his characters, we learn about the "Roaring Twenties" and their impact on American society.
Culture: Fitzgerald himself came from a middle-class background that aspired to social climbing. Many of his characters reflect this theme, often striving for wealth and acceptance into the upper class. Racial issues are not a central theme in his work, and his characters primarily represent white, upper-middle-class America.
Philosophy & Influences: Fitzgerald's life experiences greatly influenced his writing. His struggles with alcoholism and his wife's mental health issues are reflected in his characters' inner turmoil. He is not explicitly political, but his work critiques the materialism and social inequality of the Jazz Age. Religion is not a major focus, but some of his characters grapple with moral questions and the loss of faith. The social and cultural changes of the 1920s heavily influenced his writing, capturing the zeitgeist of the era. He was also inspired by literary giants like Ernest Hemingway and T.S. Eliot.
Sample Answer
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Biography: F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) was an American novelist, short story writer, and essayist. He is best known for his novels depicting the Jazz Age, a period of economic prosperity and social change in the 1920s. Fitzgerald's own life mirrored the themes of his work, marked by success, excess, and ultimately, alcoholism and personal struggles.