Babylon Revisited ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald ~ June 10-14 ~ Short Stories

[JoanP]

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Short Stories - Some SeniorLearn Favorites - JUNE ~ JULY

It is said that a good short story should include: * a strong theme, * a fascinating plot, * a fitting structure, * unforgettable characters, * a well-chosen setting, * an appealing style.  Let's consider these elements as we discuss the following stories.  Is it necessary to include them all in a successful story?  
  

Notice that the titles are all links to the stories.

Discussion Schedule:
June 1 -June 9: *The Book of The Funny Smells--and Everything (1872) by Eleanor H Abbott *The Necklace or The Diamond Necklace (1880) -  by Guy de Maupassant *A Pair of Silk Stockings (1896) by Kate Chopin
June 10- 14: *Babylon Revisited by F.Scott Fitzgerald
June 15- 17: *First Confession by Frank O'Connor

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BABYLON REVISITED by F.Scott Fitzgerald

Topics for  Consideration
June 10 - June 14

Click this link for French terms  appearing in Babylon Revisited) -

Have you revisited your own past, physically, mentally?  What were the best years, the worst?    “strident queens” - two words that date this story.  Today from the lamposts in my capitol city of Columbus, Ohio we have  colorful banners promoting  the “Stonewall Pride” parade.  -  http://www.stonewallcolumbus.org/  - times have changed.  Is this progress?   Fitzgerald states that despite the economy, whether up or down - prostitution is a good business.  What did you think when you read this? “Now at least you can go into a store without their assuming you’re a millionaire.”   Is this still true?  Do Europeans or the world, for that matter, still believe every American is wealthy? Charlie believes in “character” - the “eternally valuable element.”  But “everything wore out.”  What did Charlie mean?

PLEASE JOIN THE NEXT SHORT STORY DISCUSSION, June 15-17 HERE: *First Confession by Frank O'Connor

DL Contact: Ella Gibbons

[JoanK]

Thank you, ELLA for a great discussion.

[marcie]

Yes, thank you very much Ella, and all of the participants, for an interesting discussion.

[PatH]

Ella, you've said you don't read much fiction.  That may be, but you sure know how to lead a good fiction discussion.  You really kept us going.  Thank you.

And thanks to everyone for bringing in so many ideas and interpretations.  We really squeezed every drop out of that story.