Curated Video
Introduction to Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is a well-known author these days, but her work was unknown during her lifetime. Dickinson, known as an eccentric and reclusive figure in her hometown of Amherst, Massachusetts. After her death, nearly 2,000 poems she...
Curated Video
Reception and Legacy of The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, "The Great Gatsby" captured the optimism of the 1920s and foreshadowed the personal and societal doom that would follow with the market crash and the author's decline. Despite the novel's initial failure,...
Curated Video
Materialism and the American Dream in The Great Gatsby
The green light and the looming eyes of Dr. TJ Eckleberg are two of the most iconic images in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, "The Great Gatsby." The green light is a multifaceted symbol representing Gatsby's love for Daisy, the elusive...
Curated Video
Time, Geography, and Morality in The Great Gatsby
Jay Gatsby's quest to reclaim his past relationship with Daisy Buchanan is an ever-present theme in The Great Gatsby. The many mentions of time throughout the novel emphasize Gatsby's desire to reset the clock on their relationship....
Curated Video
Use of Poetry and Color Themes in The Great Gatsby
"The Great Gatsby," is a short novel that is rich in language, F. Scott Fitzgerald aimed to create a work that not only captured the essence of the Jazz Age but also transcended it through poetic beauty and intricate patterns. Drawing...
Curated Video
The Great Gatsby: Characters, Plot, and Setting
"The Great Gatsby" is narrated by Nick Carraway, and observer to the story of Jay Gatsby, an enigmatic millionaire chasing the American Dream in the hopes of reclaiming his lost love, Daisy Buchanan, despite the societal divide and her...
Curated Video
Who Was F. Scott Fitzgerald?
F. Scott Fitzgerald, born in 1896 in St. Paul, Minnesota, emerged from modest beginnings to become a defining literary figure of the 20th century. Despite facing financial struggles and societal prejudice due to his Irish-American...
Curated Video
Introduction to F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is, at it's core, a novel about the American Dream. It takes place during the 1920s, a period that epitomized America's pursuit of freedom and prosperity but also revealed the fragility of that dream. This video...
Oxford Comma
The Forgotten Character in Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher"
Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” is an archetype for the horror genre. So, much has been said about Rodrick, his sister Madeline, and the house they both represent and dwell within. But the third character, Rodrick’s...
Curated Video
Sandra Cisneros
A trailblazer in more ways than one, Sandra Cisneros was the first Mexican-American woman to be published by a mainstream publisher. Her work brought Hispanic culture to a wider audience of readers.
Curated Video
Mark Twain
Known as the Father of American Literature, Mark Twain used satire and a sharp wit to explore and reveal the realities of US society in the 19th century. In doing so he developed an all-new “American style” of writing.
Curated Video
Atmosphere and Allusion
“Atmosphere and Allusion” describes two literary techniques that contribute to an author’s style. Atmosphere includes sensory details to describe the mood that the author creates. Allusion occurs when an author references people, places,...
Oxford Comma
America Teaches "The Cask of Amontillado" Wrong
Is Poe's short story of revenge based a real events? According to some American textbooks? Yes. But the truth is more complicated. Sources: Cody, David. “‘What a Tricke Wee’Le Serve Him’: A Possible Source for Poe’s ‘The Cask of...
Curated Video
Romantic Movement
This video discusses the influences and philosophies of the American Romantic movement, using examples from poetry of the time.
Curated Video
Analyzing Archaic Words
This video explains the best ways to decipher the meaning of archaic words in American literature and gives examples from famous works.
Curated Video
Making Inferences 2
“Making Inferences” explains how to make inferences from given information by using examples from American literature.
Curated Video
Roger Chillingworth: a Tale of All-Consuming Revenge
Roger Chillingworth is a vengeful and manipulative character in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, "The Scarlet Letter". Consumed by his desire to discover the identity of his wife's lover, Chillingworth becomes a cold and calculating man....
Curated Video
Arthur Dimmesdale: Adultery and Guilt of a Puritan Minister
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, "The Scarlet Letter," Arthur Dimmesdale is a respected Puritan reverend who suffers secret guilt and shame for his adulterous relationship with Hester Prynne and being the father of their child, Pearl....
Curated Video
Hester Prynne: Strength and Resilience
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, "The Scarlet Letter," Hester Prynne is a strong and resilient young woman who faces public condemnation in Puritan Massachusetts for committing adultery. Despite her punishment, Hester refuses to reveal...
Curated Video
Exploring Themes in The Scarlet Letter
"The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a dark novel set in Puritan Massachusetts. It explores themes of sin, guilt, and the corrupting influence of society on individuals. Through the characters of Hester Prynne, Reverend Arthur...
Curated Video
The Scarlet Letter: A Tale of Sin, Society, and Individuality
Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1850 novel, The Scarlet letter is a tragic tale of adultery and revenge. Hester Prynne faces public shame and punishment after an affair that results in a child. Her estranged husband resurfaces and seeks to torment...
Curated Video
Author’s Style
Students will learn about different aspects that go into creating an author’s unique writing style.
Curated Video
Static and Dynamic Characters
“Static and Dynamic Characters” describes the differences between character types used in literature.
The Learning Depot
Analytical and Expository Thesis Statements
In this video, we take a look at the analytical and expository thesis statements and compare them to the argumentative thesis statement. The purpose of your paper will determine your thesis statement. Examples are given.