Babylon Revisited

Criticism:
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

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

September

14        Introduction to class, discussion of syllabus and plagiarism, Read “Babylon Revisited” GET The Great Gatsby!!!

21       “Babylon Revisited” (Handout), Read The Great Gatsby (1-5)

             28       The Great Gatsby (1-5), Read The Great Gatsby (5-9)

 

October

5          ASSIGN FIRST ESSAY, The Great Gatsby(5-9)

12        ***NO CLASS***, Read The Bluest Eye (Autumn)             

19        PAPER DUE, The Bluest Eye (Autumn), Read The Bluest Eye (Winter) 

26         The Bluest Eye (Winter), Read The Bluest Eye (Spring) 

 November

2          ASSIGN SECOND PAPER, The Bluest Eye (Spring), Read The Bluest Eye (Summer)

9          The Bluest Eye (Summer) Read The Road

16        SECOND PAPER DUE, The Road, Read The Road

23        The Road, Read The Road

30        ASSIGN FINAL PAPER, The Road, Read The Road

December

7          Bring Final Paper Drafts

 

14        FINAL PAPER DUE—LAST CLASS—NO LATE PAPERS!