"Babylon Revisited"

Link to the story:

http://gutenberg.net.au/fsf/BABYLON-REVISITED.html

Outside Sources:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00144940.1990.9934031

http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-94-007-0773-3_8?LI=true

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/8289335/Babylon-Revisited-When-the-money-runs-out.html

http://iws2.collin.edu/mtolleson/2328online/2328notesbabylon.htm

http://www.jeffersonflanders.com/2006/07/f-scott-fitzgeralds-babylon-revisited-and-the-lost-decade-damaged-men-and-fractured-pasts/

https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/bruce.brogdon/engl1301/oral-reports/short-story-criticism/babylon-revisited-a-story-of-the-exiles-return/view

http://kb.gcsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1080&context=thecorinthian

http://libguides.fau.edu/c.php?g=325462&p=2181967

Themes found in the story:

• Facing the consequences of one’s actions
• The struggle to change

Symbols found in the story:

• Honoria’s doll
• Snow

This link has some background information and criticism of the story (there is a lot of info here that could be used if you choose to write your first essay about this story):

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tdlarson/fsf/babylon/chap_3.htm

In the next two weeks we will discuss The Great Gatsby which “Babylon Revisited” shares many themes and issues with. Here is a short description of how they are similar:

“Babylon Revisited”: Similarity to The Great Gatsby
In both works, the main character is trying to create a new identity. In the case of Jay Gatsby, he has reinvented himself by a name change and by becoming rich through criminal acts to win Daisy. In Charlie’s instance, he has made a serious effort to reform to gain custody of Honoria.

Both The Great Gatsby and “Babylon Revisited” are also statements about the twenties, the pursuit of wealth and careless living of that generation. Gatsby’s pursuit of wealth, hoping it will bring him happiness and fulfillment, is the embodiment of the American Dream gone wrong. “Babylon Revisited” makes a statement not only about Charlie’s his personal dilemma but the irresponsible seeking of pleasure that was characteristic of the post-war Roaring Twenties generation.

From: http://vickie-britton.suite101.com/babylon-revisited-summary-and-analysis-a204727

NYTimes article:

http://www.nytimes.com/books/00/12/24/specials/fitzgerald-taps.html

America and Second Chances:
http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2009/09/19/history/post-perspective/f-scott-fitzgerald.html

https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/07/13/president-obama-announces-46-commutations-video-address-america-nation-second-chance

http://billmoyers.com/2014/10/31/america-really-believe-second-chances/

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-second-chances-for-elites-only-perspec-1196-20141105-story.html

Syllabus

Modern Literary Masterpieces

ENG215 Essex County College

Prof. Sean O’Connell                                                   MON/WED 1130

Email:soconnel@essex.edu       

Phone: 973-877-1926                                                      Office: 1137

Office Hours:   M-R 9AM-10AM                                   Room:

                       

                                                                                    

Texts: YOU NEED TO BUY THE TEXTS!!!

• The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston
• The Road Cormac McCarthy

*In class assignments will be handwritten; all homework assignments should be typed and double spaced using 12-point Times New Roman font.

I will use the class blog weekly to post assignments, links and back up information. Visit it a few times a week!!!

Class Blog:

THERE ARE NO LATE PAPERS. IF YOU DO NOT HAND IN A PAPER ON THE DAY THE FINAL DRAFT IS DUE, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN F FOR THAT PAPER.

YOU MUST HAND ME EACH PAPER. EMAIL IS NOT GOING TO WORK FOR FORMAL ESSAYS.

Course Description: The Development of modern literary thought is examined from the post-Renaissance era to the present day.  Students will do an intensive study of selected masterpieces of world literature.

ENG 215 MON/WED CLASSES

September

5 Intro to class, syllabus

10 “Babylon Revisited”

12 The Great Gatsby 1-3

17 The Great Gatsby 4-6

19 The Great Gatsby 7-9

24 Outside Sources on The Great Gatsby

26 Assign First Essay

October

1 Film

3 Film

8 NO CLASS

10 FIRST ESSAY DUE, Their Eyes Were Watching God

15 Their Eyes Were Watching God

17 Their Eyes Were Watching God

22 Their Eyes Were Watching God

24 Their Eyes Were Watching God

29 Assign Second Essay

31 NO CLASS

November

5 The Road

7 The Road, SECOND ESSAY DUE

12 The Road

14 The Road

19 Film

21 NO CLASS

26 Film

28 ASSIGN THIRD PAPER

December

3 In my office for help with Third Paper (1137 in the red area)

5 In my office for help with Third Paper (1137 in the red area)

10 Paper Due