The Great Gatsby’ and ‘The Dinner of Trimalchio’: Decadence in New York and Ancient Rome, Dr Emily Pillinger

Key Stage 5 English and Classics KCL Talk – ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘The Dinner of Trimalchio’: Decadence in New York and Ancient Rome, Dr Emily Pillinger – Thursday 3^rd March, 3-4pm online Topic: ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘The Dinner of Trimalchio’: Decadence in New York and Ancient Rome.  This talk shows how one of the greatest loved American novels of the twentieth century emerged from Fitzgerald’s reading of a much less well-known ancient Roman novel by Petronius. It explores how both novels speak to the inequality, corruption, and cynicism of their contemporary worlds, and in the process demonstrates to students that the combined study of English and Classics is a rich and valuable degree focus. There is no need for students to know anything of either works before the talk, though they may like to read ’The Great Gatsby’ in advance, or watch the film (dir. B. Luhrmann, 2013). For more information and to reserve your place, click here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/252095383077