Published in 1925, The Great Gatsby became an immediate classic and propelled its young author to fame. The novel captured the spirit of the “Jazz Age.” Bob-haired flappers, lavish lifestyles and parties, prohibition, cool slang like “the bee’s knees” and “the cat’s meow” are all societal images etched indelibly in the minds of people even to this day.
Reminisce with us about this special era during National Library Week in April. Read The Great Gatsby, come to a book discussion and enjoy programs supporting One Book One Lexington, a Lexington Public Library literacy initiative encouraging our community to read together for a lifetime.
One Book One Lexington is supported by the Friends of the Lexington Public Library.
F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) was one of the leading writers of 1920s America, an era that he dubbed “the Jazz Age.” A unique aspect of his writing was his ability to be both a leading participant in the life he described, and a detached observer of it. Many readers considered his stories to be a celebration of moral decline. As a result, his talent and the underlying themes of his work were not recognized until after his death.
Read more about F. Scott Fitzgerald
Coming Next:
Monday, March 13: Walking through 1920s Lexington
As part of the One Book One Lexington program, Bettie Kerr, Director of the Division of Historic Preservation, will lead a walking tour through downtown Lexington, emphasizing the architecture of the 1920s. Meet on the first floor of the Central Library. All Ages.
Central Libary - noon
Tuesday, March 28: Fads of the Roaring Twenties: Mah Jong Anyone?
Flappers, Prohibition and the Charleston weren't the only fads sweeping the nation during the Roaring Twenties. Mah Jong was all the rage! Join us and learn how to play. Ages 12-up; reservations required.
Tates Creek - 6:30 PM
Saturday, April 01: Charleston Lessons
Beaumont - 10 AM, Tates Creek - 1 PM, and Eagle Creek - 3 PM
Read the complete schedule of events
- Discuss how places and settings used throughout The Great Gatsby epitomize various aspects of American society during the 1920s. Contrast the setting of the Valley of Ashes with that of East Egg and West Egg.
- On the surface, The Great Gatsby is a story of the thwarted love between a man and a woman. The main theme of the novel, however, encompasses a much larger, less romantic scope. It is a highly symbolic meditation on 1920s America as a whole, in particular the disintegration of the American Dream in an era of unprecedented prosperity and material excess. Discuss the various symbols used throughout the novel. Some examples include: the green light, the Valley of Ashes, and the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg.
Lexington Public Library Foundation presents the One Book One Lexington Essay Contest
One winner - $500 College Scholarship
- Open to all high school seniors in Lexington schools (must be enrolled as a senior 2005-2006 academic year)
- 1000 - 1,500 words
- A winner will be announced on Monday, May 1, 2006
- The winning essay will be published on this website (onebookonelexington.org)
- Entries may be turned in at any Lexington Public Library location, or may be mailed to:
Lexington Public Library
140 East Main Street
Lexington, KY 40507
ATTN: Essay Contest - Deadline is 5pm Friday, April 21, 2006
- Call 231-5549 if you have questions
- All entries must contain name, school and contact information and should be on a sheet seperate from the text of the essay
- Essays should address the following question:
“What makes The Great Gatsby a book that the whole community should read?”
One Book One Lexington Announcement
March 11, 2006 (View All)
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The Great Gatsby
