Understanding F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

This filmed lecture series offers our finest literary scholars sharing their thoughts on our most cherished modern literature. Matthew J. Bruccoli, Jefferies Professor of English at the University of South Carolina, and noted expert on the subject of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his works, speaks to a group of graduate students on the "intricate design" of The Great Gatsby. Beginning with a prefatory historical overview of Fitzgerald's life during the period in which he wrote Gatsby (1922-1924; published in 1925), Bruccoli goes on to show how Fitzgerald made significant changes in the galley proofs of the book (literally cutting and pasting whole sections); thereby arriving at the method of fragmenting Gatsby's biography over the course of the novel. In 45 minutes, of course, only so much can be accomplished. Viewers will come away with a greater appreciation of the making of the novel, but the title is rather misleading in the word "understanding." Very little attention is paid to character, imagery, plot, or the use of language. Still, although this lecture seems to be graduate level, it is accessible by the general public (few literary criticism terms are used, and even simple fundamentals--such as point-of-view--are explained.) And Bruccoli's coverage of his subject--the aspect of how the book came together--is as thorough a discussion as one is likely to find. (Student Handbook and Lecture Guide included, but not seen.) Recommended primarily for high school and college libraries. (See SITTING IN LIMBO for availability.)