PAP II Summer Reading Assignments Mrs. Sandra Anz Read your 2 novels

PAP II Summer Reading Assignments
Mrs. Sandra Anz
1. Read your 2 novels: Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.
For Scarlet Letter, you may skip the introductory section entitled "The Custom House." Please begin your
reading with Chapter One entitled "The Prison Door." Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter is one of the
classic novels of American literature. While the setting is Puritan New England, Hawthorne wasn't so
much re-creating the Puritan world as he was recounting his vision of the human situation.
Hawthorne was not a Puritan himself. He lived from 1804-1864. Puritanism had long since died out as a
church denomination. Nonetheless, Hawthorne -- in a way -- felt himself a victim of this narrow, strict
society. Watch for his ancestor Judge Hathorne to appear in your reading.
Hawthorne is a student of the human heart and this novel is a masterpiece that examines the inner
workings of three key characters: Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale, Hester Prynne, and Roger Chillingsworth.
Read closely and observe how the heart of each character reacts to the intertwining situation in which
they find themselves. Watch closely for symbolism and Biblical allusions in this classic work.
Things Fall Apart is an African novel. The novel focuses on imperialism. Achebe weaves the African
language and culture into his English novel to parallel the comingling aspects the Africans race when the
white missionaries arrive.
2. Annotate as you read. I suggest that you purchase a copy of each book to make the annotations
easier. If you are unable to do so, you may get a copy from the English department or your local library.
With pen or highlighter directly write on the pages of your novel or use post-it notes if you are using a
borrowed book. Mark things like characters, literary devices, setting, structure, and pivotal events.
Come up with a logical method for your annotations. I circle the characters’ names and underline their
traits. I highlight literary devices in a different color. I write the setting in the margins and make short
notes about the plot at the bottom of every other page. The more notes you have the better your
grade. See the annotation tips handout.
3. Blue Book assignments: Write at least 2 paragraphs for each prompt (introductory paragraph with
thesis statement and a body paragraph). I will choose 1 entry per novel to grade as a real AP essay. AP
essays are graded holistically on mechanics, structure, diction, and addressing the prompt with textual
evidence (quotes and paraphrasing). I use the AP rubric to grade essays. A score of a 5 is an average
grade for a superficial essay that marginally addresses the prompt.
Due Dates: annotations are a daily grade & essays are a major grade.
Your grades essays may be picked up in the front office.
Late work is not accepted!!!
Scarlet Letter annotations and 3 essays are due July 8, 2014.
Things Fall Apart annotations and 3 essays are due August 11, 2014.
Scarlet Letter
a. Choose a character from the novel and write an essay in which you (a) briefly describe the
standards of the fictional society in which the character exists and (b) show how the character
is affected by and responds to those standards. In your essay do not merely summarize the
plot. Use textual evidence.
b. Many authors use contrasting places to represent different forces or ideas. This opposition
helps enhance the works meaning and themes. Choose two various settings like the forest and
the scaffold. Explain the symbolic significance of each and how it relates to a theme of the
novel.
c. Under what genre would you classify this book? Is the novel a “tale of sinful passion” or a
“tragedy of grand passion”? Can the novel be viewed simply as a love story? Use textual
evidence.
Things Fall Apart
a. Animal imagery is abundant in this novel. Notate 3 examples and explain the role they play
in the book. Some may be a motif (a re-occurring idea that leads to theme).
b. Achebe writes his own history of colonization in order to present a perspective different
from those taught in the Western literary and historical traditions. How does he represent the
African culture and landscape? Give textual proof. How does he view colonization?
c. Often in literature a literal or figurative journey is a significant factor in the development of a
character or the meaning of the work. What literal or figurative journey does Okonkwo
make? How does it affect theme or characterization?
Annotation Tips
Annotating (v)- to furnish a literary work with critical commentary or explanatory notes
The key is for you the reader to make a connection with the text you are reading. Mark concepts
to help you comprehend the story.
Elements to Mark:
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Circle a character’s name each time a new person is introduced. If there are descriptors
that follow notate those as well.
Square the setting (place, date)
Highlight literary devices that catch your eye and write an S(simile), I(imagery),
M(metaphor), A(allusion), H(hyperbole), D(diction), etc. in the margin.
Did the author use important symbols? For example, the scarlet letter A represents
adultery.
Were any motifs (reoccurring symbols or ideas) used by the author? The scaffold is
important. Three events occur there.
Write definitions to unknown vocabulary words in the margin.
Use a ? when something is confusing.
Use OMG! When something surprises you.
Write a plot summary sentence at the bottom of every other page.
On the back cover of the book, list possible themes of the novel.
Have any shifts in point of view, place, time, diction, or tone occurred? Why?
Scoring of analytical essays:
1-2= poorly written, wrong answer, no thesis.
3= a summary of the text
4-5= minimal analysis, weak thesis, little textual evidence
6= a solid essay with strong thesis, good analysis, use of textual evidence and explanations
7-9= great essays with superb diction, syntax, analysis, interweaving of quotes, and an
interpretation that was not the common answer.