Poor Ghosts, Breathing Dreams Like Air:

The Great Gatsby turns 95 this year, and the novel is more relevant than ever.

While the name Gatsby may conjure images of 1920s wealth and glamor, with wild Jazz Age parties filled with flappers and bootleggers, F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel is really a pointed critique of the unobtainable promises of the American Dream. In a moment where we as a nation, feeling the fractures of political partisanship and debating what sacrifices the accumulation of wealth in a time of crisis demands of us, reflect on what it means to be an American and what we must do to achieve that dream, Fitzgerald's novel feels more relevant than ever.

Join me in reading what many critics consider the greatest American novel. While you may have your own copy, I've created an annotated online edition that you can access by creating an account through www.activelylearn.com and using the class code ig40u. Click here if you would like a brief tutorial on how to sign up.

I will post insights and history about each chapter that will hopefully enrich your enjoyment of the novel. I am excited to read the novel with you all.