Terre Haute Tribune Star Big Read columns

Gary Daily : ‘Time’ is most frequently used ‘excuse word’ for not reading GO HERE

Stephanie Salter : At age 82, ‘Gatsby’ still rocks GO HERE

"Bernice Bobs Her Hair"

A film version of Fitzgerald's 1920 short story "Bernice Bobs Her Hair" will be shown Tuesday, Feb. 27, 6:30 pm, at the Indiana State University Library. In this clip, Marjorie is instructing Bernice on how to be a "modern" young woman--especially in terms of attracting men. The story in print has a darker edge than the film version. The film opens up the story and includes more laughs. Both indicate how society and gender roles were changing in the 1920s. In interesting ways, story and film raise the question: How really different are things today as compared to the Roaring Twenties Fitzgerald depicted in his art and his life?

Read the story, see the movie. And submit comments and questions here.

Terre Haute Tribune Star column on The Big Read

Terre Haute Tribune Star --Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007

Gary Daily : "The Big Read Comes to Vigo County--and not a day too soon"

Go Here for column

20s Charleston Compilation

Checking out this video, I’m wondering if someone who once danced the Charleston ever forgets how to kick out and shimmy about the dance floor in this ‘20s style of wild abandon. And in this age of slithering, worm-mating moves under flashing strobe lights, does dancing the Charleston constitute an adventure or is it closer to being a manic version of the latest exercise workout video?

Once, and in The Great Gatsby, this dance craze seemed to make a statement about life and society. Post your views on what that statement might have been. Or, more particularly in relation to the novel, your reading of the descriptions and significance of the Gatsby parties.

For those of you in Terre Haute and Vigo County, Charleston dancing lessons will be available for the forgetful and the adventurous at “The Big Party for the Big Read.” This party is slated for Friday, March 2. The party is free but reservations are required. This is a hot ticket so call Community Services, Vigo County Public Library (232-1113) now and get your name on the guest list.