Bernie Madoff and the 2008 Recession Texts

We're continuing to explore the way that different texts inform or blur our understanding of events in history. Mandel's book, The Glass Hotel, looks at the collapse of a Ponzi scheme, much like Bernie Madoff's, and its aftermath. 

Over the next two classes we're going to look at a few different texts that explore Madoff or the 2008 Recession and discuss whether they inform or blur our understanding. We've already listened to Bruce Springsteen's album Wrecking Ball, which explores the effects of the recession on the working class. As we look at these different texts, we'll reflect on these questions:

a. Does this text talk about Madoff or the 2008 Recession?

b. Who's perspective are they sharing? Why?

c. What medium are they using to explore this event?

d. Why use this medium to talk about this event? What about this medium is effective or compelling when portraying this event? 

e. Big Idea: In what ways does literature inform history or blur it?

f. Ultimate Question: Which text conveys the significance of the event best? Why?

Texts:

• Novel:
• The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
  
  
• Music:
• Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen (Album)
  
  
• Film:
• The Big Short dir. Adam McKay
• Analyzing Subprime MBSs (Clip)
• Jared Vennett's Pitch (Clip)
• Meeting a CDO Manager (Clip)
  
  
• Article:
• "For Madoff Victims, Scars Remain 10 Years Later" (Link)
• "Madoff Victim Says She Lost All Her Savings" (Link)
  
  
• Textbook:
• Give Me Liberty! An American History - Chapter 28 by Eric Foner (Link)