Short Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald Lesson Plan

Does “May Day” critique or glorify wealth?

Students should recognize that various characters have various perspectives on wealth. This divergence is highlighted in several particular moments. For example, Chapter 2 begins with an extensive description of shoppers perusing ornate stores. As Dean and Gordon wander through, they respond to this setting in very different ways. While Dean was fascinated by “humanity at its frothiest and gaudiest,” Gordon is “reminded of how often he had been one of the crowd, tired, casually fed, overworked, and dissipated.” Their particular responses to wealth are reflective of their personal situations: Dean is flourishing while Gordon feels...