People are so busy dreaming the American Dream, fantasizing about what they could be or have a right to be, that they’re all asleep at the switch. Consequently we are living in the Age of Human Error.
— Florence King
Unit Goals
After learning the unit, students are expected
·to learn about the various definitions of American Dream,
·to know F. Scott Fitzgerald as the representative writer in the Jazz Age and the artistic features of his writings,
·to understand the theme of American Dream and other minor themes in the texts,
·to learn some useful words and expressions from the unit, and
·to improve English language skills, communication skills and critical thinking.
Before You Read
1. The idea of an American Dream is older than the United States. It can be dated back to the 1600s, when people began to come up with all sorts of hopes and aspirations for the new and largely unexplored continent. Imagine you were one of the early settlers, and think about what dreams you were likely to have for the new world and new life.
2. What is American Dream in your understanding? Do you know any fictional or real stories about people who “lived the American Dream”?
3. The title of the novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald is “The Great Gatsby”. Try to guess what made Gatsby “great”. Then read Text A, an excerpt from the novel, and compare your assumption with the ones you find in the text.
4. Form groups of three or four students. Try to find, on the Internet or in the library, information about the social background of the novel The Great Gatsby, and then give a presentation about it.
Start to Read