BLOG POSTS FOR CM1135

POST 1
The Great Gatsby
In your opinion, what does the phrase "The American Dream" mean to you? What ideas does it
evoke? Have you heard it before?
POST 2
The Great Gatsby - Chapter 2:
In what way is the description in the opening paragraphs of Chapter 2 appropriate to the total
atmosphere of this chapter? What is symbolic about the valley of ashes, and the eyes of
Doctor T.J. Eckleburg?
POST 3
The Great Gatsby - Chapter 3:
In what way are Nick and Gatsby similar at this point? Why are they paradoxical? Give specific
examples.
POST 4
The Great Gatsby
The words 'transformation', 'imagination', 'romance', 'enchantment' and 'creation' are often
associated with Jay Gatsby. With these words in mind, how can Jay Gatsby be seen as a
magician figure in the novel? Use specific examples from the novel. Think thematically!
POST 5
Atonement
What happens between Robbie and Cecilia at the fountain? What symbolic role does Uncle
Clems precious vase play in the novel? Is it significant that the vase is glued together by Cecilia,
and broken finally during the war by Betty as she readies the house to accept evacuees?

POST 6
Atonement
Question 1: In the Epilogue, 'London 1999', we learn who has been narrating the novel. Who is
it? Does the ending surprise you? Why or why not?
Question 2: When a Seventy-seven year old Briony encounters Lola and Paul Marshall on her
way into the Imperial War Museum, she realizes something important about the eventual
publication of her novel. What is this?
POST 7
Nineteen Eighty-Four
In an afterword of another version of the novel, a commentator describes 1984 as "a warning."
Indeed, throughout the text, Orwell plants both subtle and overt warnings to the reader. What do
you think are some of the larger issues at hand here?
POST 8
Nineteen Eighty-Four
Discuss Winston as a heroic figure. What qualities does he posses that could define him as one?
POST 9
The Children of Men
One of the deeper considerations in The Children of Men is the struggle for power between man
(Theo and Xan) and also the struggle between man and nature. Discuss both types of struggles
equally.