This module introduces Fitzgerald's Tender Is the Night, positioning it within his Hollywood career and narrative techniques. Key discussions include:
Dimock's analysis reveals how Fitzgerald's cinematic style enhances the complexity of the novel's emotional landscape.
In this introductory module, Professor Dimock introduces the major themes and works of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Faulkner, the leading figures of American modernism. The lectures orient their novels through three analytical scales:
Dimock argues that all three writers share a preoccupation with World War I, which significantly influences their narrative techniques and thematic representations.
In this module, Professor Dimock discusses Hemingway's first book, In Our Time, a collection of vignettes that marked his rise as a modernist writer. The discussion centers on:
Through a close reading of key vignettes, Dimock highlights how Hemingway's style addresses communal suffering and inter-ethnic conflict.
This continuation of Hemingway's In Our Time delves deeper into four additional clusters of chapters. Professor Dimock emphasizes:
Dimock argues that Hemingway's blend of genres creates a distinctive humor that oscillates between irony and farce, reflecting the complexity of human emotion.
This module examines Fitzgerald's iconic novel, The Great Gatsby, through the lens of experimental counter-realism. Key discussions include:
Dimock engages with how Fitzgerald's stylistic choices contribute to the novel's thematic depth and its portrayal of societal issues.
Continuing the exploration of The Great Gatsby, this module focuses on the auditory-visual linkages among the novel's characters. Topics include:
Professor Dimock illustrates how these connections inform the overarching narrative and character arcs within the context of the Jazz Age.
This module introduces Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury, focusing on its origins and narrative techniques. Professor Dimock discusses:
A close reading reveals how Faulkner uses sensory details to explore themes of innocence and loss within the context of family decline.
Continuing the analysis of The Sound and the Fury, this module juxtaposes Quentin's narrative against Benjy's viewpoint. Key themes include:
Dimock's readings highlight the complexity of familial bonds and the burden of loss, culminating in Quentin's tragic fate.
This module focuses on Jason's section of The Sound and the Fury, emphasizing themes of rage and loss of community. Professor Dimock discusses:
Dimock connects Jason's experiences to broader themes of alienation and the disintegration of social bonds, culminating in a poignant critique of modern existence.
This module concludes the analysis of The Sound and the Fury by examining the omniscient narrator's perspective. Key focuses include:
Dimock's readings illustrate how Faulkner weaves together themes of race, memory, and redemption through the final interactions of the characters.
In this module, Professor Dimock introduces Hemingway's novel To Have and Have Not, exploring its origins and thematic structure. Key discussions include:
This exploration illuminates how Hemingway navigates the complexities of identity and human experience through his characters' interactions.
This module continues the examination of To Have and Have Not, focusing on the socio-political context of Cuba during the Great Depression. Professor Dimock discusses:
Dimock's analysis reveals the nuanced relationship between personal happiness and socio-political struggles within the narrative.
This module examines four of Fitzgerald's notable short stories: The Rich Boy, Babylon Revisited, The Diamond as Big as the Ritz, and Bernice Bobs Her Hair. Professor Dimock analyzes:
The analysis unveils Fitzgerald's exploration of social conformity and deviation as central themes across these works.
In this module, Professor Dimock delves into Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, situating it within the context of the Great Depression in the South. Key focuses include:
Dimock's analysis emphasizes the complexity of familial relationships and social commentary throughout Faulkner's work.
This module continues the exploration of As I Lay Dying, focusing on the interplay of epic conventions and character identities. Professor Dimock discusses:
Dimock's analysis reveals how Faulkner's characters navigate complex identities while encapsulating broader themes of human experience.
This module concludes the discussion of As I Lay Dying, analyzing its generic form and themes of tragedy and comedy. Key elements include:
Dimock's analysis illustrates how Faulkner navigates the complexities of human relationships and the notion of belonging throughout the novel.
In this module, Professor Dimock introduces Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls, focusing on its historical context during the Spanish Civil War. Key themes include:
Dimockâs analysis sets the stage for understanding the complex relationships formed during wartime.
This module continues the analysis of For Whom the Bell Tolls, focusing on Robert Jordan's reflections on distant homes versus the present realities of war. Key topics include:
Dimock reveals how these contrasts inform Jordan's identity and understanding of self within the conflict.
This module focuses on the themes of dying and survival in Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls. Key discussions include:
Dimock's analysis highlights the moral complexities within the narrative, providing a nuanced understanding of the characters' struggles.
In this final module, Professor Dimock concludes the discussion of For Whom the Bell Tolls by examining the narrative of dispossession and potential redemption. Key focuses include:
Dimock emphasizes the significance of these themes in shaping Hemingway's narrative and its resonance in contemporary contexts.
This module introduces Fitzgerald's Tender Is the Night, positioning it within his Hollywood career and narrative techniques. Key discussions include:
Dimock's analysis reveals how Fitzgerald's cinematic style enhances the complexity of the novel's emotional landscape.
This module concludes the analysis of Tender Is the Night by examining Zelda Fitzgerald's influence on the character of Nicole Diver. Key themes include:
Dimock's insights illuminate how personal and societal issues intertwine in Fitzgeraldâs narrative, culminating in thematic resolutions.
In this module, Professor Dimock introduces Faulkner's Light in August, emphasizing Lena's character and her journey. Key focuses include:
Dimock's analysis highlights Faulkner's stylistic choices and their deeper implications regarding community and human connection.
This module continues the exploration of Light in August, focusing on the dual narratives of Lena and Joe Christmas. Key themes include:
Dimock's insights reveal how Faulkner navigates the nuanced dynamics of community and individual agency throughout the narrative.
This module centers on the unresolved racial issues in Faulkner's Light in August. Professor Dimock examines:
Dimock's analysis provides a critical lens on race and its complexities in Faulkner's work.
This concluding module of Faulkner's Light in August focuses on predestination and agency. Key discussions include:
Dimockâs insights reveal how Faulkner intertwines personal and collective struggles within the context of racial dynamics and social relationships.