Summer Reading Assignment
AP Language and Composition
Over the course of the summer you will be reading three different texts: The Count of Monte Cristo, The Great Gatsby, and Huckleberry Finn. As you read these texts you will be writing essays that correspond with each one. These essays will be submitted via email and will be posted on your blogs. Each essay needs to be finished by a certain due date. Any late work, whatsoever, will receive an F. Each essay will be worth 50 points. For each essay you may select your essay topic. Each paper should be at least 3 pages and no longer than 5.
Essay 1: The Count of Monte Cristo
• Is Edmond’s vengeance justified? Consider this question within the contexts of just retribution. Based on what he had taken from him, is what he does just?
• Describe the role of Honor in the novel. How do the demands of honor dictate the flow of the novel and the plot? Cite specific characters and their obligations to the code of honor.
• How can this text be read as an intellectual quandary related to man assuming God’s role? What is the verdict that Dumas relates? Do men have the ability to demand God’s justice?
This essay will be due by July 15.
Essay 2: The Great Gatsby
1) George Will, in a 1985 editorial for Newsweek in which he compares The Great Gatsby to Huckleberry Finn, wrote “Pessimism about the reality of the Americans to measure up to America’s promise, is, in its way, Twain’s theme.” Explain how Fitzgerald develops this theme in The Great Gatsby.
2) Sheila Graham writes: “I think Scott (Fitzgerald) wanted me, through my reading, to understand and perhaps share some of his basic tenets about existence: that as he so often told me, there was no such thing as happiness. …As he explains, “…the sense that life is essentially a cheat and its conditions are those of defeat and redeeming things are not ‘happiness and pleasure’ but the deeper satisfactions of the struggle.”
Write an essay in which you analyze the way in which Fitzgerald develops this idea in The Great Gatsby.
This essay will be due by August 1
Essay 3: Huckleberry Finn
• Describe how Huck Finn can be understood as a societal critique of the antebellum south. How does Twain use many characters along the journey to critique society itself?
• How is Huck’s journey down the river a journey to a greater human understanding? How is Huck enabled to live outside of the confines of society, and in doing so, disinherit the bigotry that enveloped the south?
This Essay will be due by August 25
Remember, that throughout the summer I will be checking my email regularly, so if you have any questions, feel free to email me. The only extended time that I will be away from email is from August 2-August 24th. However, you always have each other as resources.
The following is the class roster and each person’s email address:
Name Email
Rachael Kerr Mastery_mage16@yahoo.com
Kerri Reaney Irishjazz101@yahoo.com
Christina Desario catsouplawl@gmail.com
Michael Rossi Rosinator26@aol.com
Riddhi Jain r.jain.920@gmail.com
Scott Pero Whaledude7@yahoo.com
Coralie Casimir Coralie_casimir@yahoo.com
Tim Rezendes Tjrez14@aim.com
Dante Ferraro Dferraro2011@verizon.net
Kevin McAdam mcadam@rcn.com
Nathaniel Burns-Sarno Jagabor2000@aol.com
Ashley Ducrepin Ash93girl@yahoo.com
Stephen Simmons-Uvin Ssimmons4260@hotmail.com
You are all responsible for checking your email at least once a week in the event I change any aspect of the assignment.
Editorial Assignment: 50 points
Over the summer I will email you with three separate articles that pertain to the texts we are reading. Your response to these assignments will be due on the first day of school. The readings will be related to the major themes of the text and you will be asked to analyze the text in relation to the theme from the novel.
Over the summer, feel free to be in touch with any questions. As you all know my email is pgeorge@trinitycatholic.com. I check it often, so don’t hesitate to ask.
I want to stress that your work over the summer is worth 200 points of your first quarter grade. You will fail the first quarter if you choose not to do the summer assignments.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Summer Reading
Here are the exact copies of the summer reading texts you need to get. I recommend getting them all very soon and starting the Count of Monte Cristo immediately.
Monday, May 4, 2009
HW Instructions
Thesis is a one sentence description of the character. 1st body paragraph is moral critique with description and support (think body paragraph of an essay). 2nd paragraph needs to be an extended metaphor about the character. Conclusion is a one-sentence analogy to a person in the world today. (30 points each).
P&P Student Work Examples
by Genevieve Noonan
Impulsive, arrogant, and thoughtless, Lydia Bennett rushes into everything unaware of the pain she is causing others.
Lydia resembles Lindsay Lohan because they both have made huge mistakes, feel no remorse for their actions, do not realize what they are doing effects more people than themselves, and believe they deserve respect because of their position.
Lu Li
Jane Bennet Analysis
Jane Bennet, the eldest and most beautiful daughter of the Bennets, is an amiable, naïve, and extremely optimistic young lady who sees no evil in others.
Jane is like a beautiful sunflower with soft honey-yellow petals. She is comely and vivacious, just like a lively sunflower stretching tall and proud to the sun in an elegant manner. Sunflowers always grow facing the direction of the sun – Jane prefers to see the goodness in people; in other words, she always tries to face the bright side of an incident, rather than the dark side.
Daryl Thomas
Lydia
Lydia is a naïve, vain minx that desires attention and has no concern for hurting her family’s reputation or sentiments.
Whether or not Lydia’s character is due to an improper upbringing, she holds an air of vanity: “I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I’m the tallest” (Austen 11). The narrator even describes her as one with “high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-consequence” (46). Assimilating her mother’s aspiration for marriage, Lydia seeks to gain attention by flirting with men and showing a deep concern for marriage: “Lord! How ashamed I should be of not being married before three-and-twenty!” (216). Being indifferent to everyone else and possessing a great sense of self-importance, Lydia becomes, as Elizabeth warns Mr. Bennet, “vain, ignorant, idle, and absolutely uncontrolled” (226). Lydia’s marriage to Wickham hurt Elizabeth’s chances with Darcy and shamed the Bennet name, yet Lydia’s character remains static upon returning to Longbourn: “Lydia was Lydia still; untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless” (305). She then uses the marriage to gain the attention of others, satisfying her vanity: “She turned from sister to sister, demanding their congratulations” (305).
Lady Catherine Analysis
by Macda Gerard
Lady Catherine’s overbearing behavior proved to be a direct reflection of how highly she valued the ludicrous and absurd class structure of Britian, making her apathetic to the opinions of others.
Lady Catherine is like a peacock. Just as Lady Catherine flaunts her affluence and high social status to maintain a sense of superiority, a peacock flares out brilliant tail feathers for all to see. It comes across as extremely ostentatious to such an extent that it belittles others around. With every strut, either a sense of jealousy or admiration is evoked through what, or in Lady Catherine’s case, who, is around. Also, in order to obtain attention, a loud obnoxious cry is often emitted, which certainly applies to Lady Catherine’s consistent need to obnoxiously comment on what has absolutely nothing to do with her. The pomp and circumstance she displays is a façade that masks her inadequacy, just as a peacock is not truly the king of birds, but aspires to be viewed as such.
Arrogance is to Lady Catherine as egocentricity is to P Diddy in that both feel as though all must grovel for their approbation believing that whatever they say is law.
Impulsive, arrogant, and thoughtless, Lydia Bennett rushes into everything unaware of the pain she is causing others.
Lydia resembles Lindsay Lohan because they both have made huge mistakes, feel no remorse for their actions, do not realize what they are doing effects more people than themselves, and believe they deserve respect because of their position.
Lu Li
Jane Bennet Analysis
Jane Bennet, the eldest and most beautiful daughter of the Bennets, is an amiable, naïve, and extremely optimistic young lady who sees no evil in others.
Jane is like a beautiful sunflower with soft honey-yellow petals. She is comely and vivacious, just like a lively sunflower stretching tall and proud to the sun in an elegant manner. Sunflowers always grow facing the direction of the sun – Jane prefers to see the goodness in people; in other words, she always tries to face the bright side of an incident, rather than the dark side.
Daryl Thomas
Lydia
Lydia is a naïve, vain minx that desires attention and has no concern for hurting her family’s reputation or sentiments.
Whether or not Lydia’s character is due to an improper upbringing, she holds an air of vanity: “I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I’m the tallest” (Austen 11). The narrator even describes her as one with “high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-consequence” (46). Assimilating her mother’s aspiration for marriage, Lydia seeks to gain attention by flirting with men and showing a deep concern for marriage: “Lord! How ashamed I should be of not being married before three-and-twenty!” (216). Being indifferent to everyone else and possessing a great sense of self-importance, Lydia becomes, as Elizabeth warns Mr. Bennet, “vain, ignorant, idle, and absolutely uncontrolled” (226). Lydia’s marriage to Wickham hurt Elizabeth’s chances with Darcy and shamed the Bennet name, yet Lydia’s character remains static upon returning to Longbourn: “Lydia was Lydia still; untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless” (305). She then uses the marriage to gain the attention of others, satisfying her vanity: “She turned from sister to sister, demanding their congratulations” (305).
Lady Catherine Analysis
by Macda Gerard
Lady Catherine’s overbearing behavior proved to be a direct reflection of how highly she valued the ludicrous and absurd class structure of Britian, making her apathetic to the opinions of others.
Lady Catherine is like a peacock. Just as Lady Catherine flaunts her affluence and high social status to maintain a sense of superiority, a peacock flares out brilliant tail feathers for all to see. It comes across as extremely ostentatious to such an extent that it belittles others around. With every strut, either a sense of jealousy or admiration is evoked through what, or in Lady Catherine’s case, who, is around. Also, in order to obtain attention, a loud obnoxious cry is often emitted, which certainly applies to Lady Catherine’s consistent need to obnoxiously comment on what has absolutely nothing to do with her. The pomp and circumstance she displays is a façade that masks her inadequacy, just as a peacock is not truly the king of birds, but aspires to be viewed as such.
Arrogance is to Lady Catherine as egocentricity is to P Diddy in that both feel as though all must grovel for their approbation believing that whatever they say is law.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Austen's Classist Critique
The conversation between Lizzy and Lady Catherine is not only a demonstration of Lizzy’s courage and Lady Catherine’s arrogance, but a reprobation of the un-loving and un-feeling rigidity imposed by societal expectations.
Lizzy, being the protagonist, is obstinately standing in the way of Lady Catherine, who is the personification of this 18th century classist society. Lizzy utterly disregards the obeisance incumbent upon her, and stands up to the haughty Lady Catherine. Therefore, we can see this tete-a-tete as a way of Austen criticizing the establishment. Lizzy, by being bold enough to disregard the demanded deference she is purported to pay to Lady Catherine, is condemning the rigid structuring of society. This fortitude is demonstrated through Lizzy’s blatant disregard of Lady Catherine’s rhetorical line of questioning: “Are you lost to every feeling of propriety and delicacy? Have you not heard me say, that from his earliest hours he was destined for his cousin?” (344). Lizzy, and through propinquity, Austen, respond with a bold slap in lady Catherine’s pretentious face.
By disregarding the classist hierarchy that Lizzy is obliged to acquiesce to, Austen is claiming that love is more important than loyalty: “If Mr. Darcy is neither by honour nor inclination confined to his cousin, why is not he to make another choice? And if I am that choice, why may not I accept him?” (345). Lizzy’s rhetorical question is answered by Austen’s choice to portray Lady Catherine as an obnoxious snob; Lizzy’s question should never have been why can’t she, but why wouldn’t she? Austen’s answer: She can and she should!
Furthermore, Mr. Darcy, as the male protagonist of the novel, breaks the societal expectations that Lady Catherine so aptly describes: “Because honour, decorum, prudence, nay, interest, forbid it [the marriage]…for do not expect to be noticed by his family, or friends, if you willfully act against the inclinations of all” (344). By accepting these consequences in the name of love, Darcy is shirking the irksome responsibilities that this society has falsely constrained him with.
By Austen selecting a young woman of limited fortune, with an embarrassing family, and an equal want of connections, as the love interest of Darcy, she is choosing to not simply trifle with the societal mold, but to shatter it. As Lady Catherine so aptly tells us, we are rooting for “the upstart pretensions of a young woman without family, connections, or fortune! Is this to be endured?” (345). Yes! It is not only to be endured, but embraced, emulated, and idolized. Long live love.
Lizzy, being the protagonist, is obstinately standing in the way of Lady Catherine, who is the personification of this 18th century classist society. Lizzy utterly disregards the obeisance incumbent upon her, and stands up to the haughty Lady Catherine. Therefore, we can see this tete-a-tete as a way of Austen criticizing the establishment. Lizzy, by being bold enough to disregard the demanded deference she is purported to pay to Lady Catherine, is condemning the rigid structuring of society. This fortitude is demonstrated through Lizzy’s blatant disregard of Lady Catherine’s rhetorical line of questioning: “Are you lost to every feeling of propriety and delicacy? Have you not heard me say, that from his earliest hours he was destined for his cousin?” (344). Lizzy, and through propinquity, Austen, respond with a bold slap in lady Catherine’s pretentious face.
By disregarding the classist hierarchy that Lizzy is obliged to acquiesce to, Austen is claiming that love is more important than loyalty: “If Mr. Darcy is neither by honour nor inclination confined to his cousin, why is not he to make another choice? And if I am that choice, why may not I accept him?” (345). Lizzy’s rhetorical question is answered by Austen’s choice to portray Lady Catherine as an obnoxious snob; Lizzy’s question should never have been why can’t she, but why wouldn’t she? Austen’s answer: She can and she should!
Furthermore, Mr. Darcy, as the male protagonist of the novel, breaks the societal expectations that Lady Catherine so aptly describes: “Because honour, decorum, prudence, nay, interest, forbid it [the marriage]…for do not expect to be noticed by his family, or friends, if you willfully act against the inclinations of all” (344). By accepting these consequences in the name of love, Darcy is shirking the irksome responsibilities that this society has falsely constrained him with.
By Austen selecting a young woman of limited fortune, with an embarrassing family, and an equal want of connections, as the love interest of Darcy, she is choosing to not simply trifle with the societal mold, but to shatter it. As Lady Catherine so aptly tells us, we are rooting for “the upstart pretensions of a young woman without family, connections, or fortune! Is this to be endured?” (345). Yes! It is not only to be endured, but embraced, emulated, and idolized. Long live love.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The Count of Monte Cristo Reading Schedule
The Count of Monte Cristo Reading Schedule:
1. Up to Chapter XIV (p. 104) by Monday May 4th.
2. Up to Chapter XXVII (p. 203) by Monday May 11
3. Up to Chapter XL (p. 310) by Monday May 18th
4. Up to Chapter LII (p.431) by Tuesday May 26th
5. Up to Chapter LXVII (p. 541) by Monday June 1st
6. Finish text on Wednesday June 3rd, Chapter LXXI (p. 582)
The portion of the reading schedule that is set in stone is that you need to be up to page 203 by Monday May 11th. We will begin working on the text as a class on May 14th. That Thursday and Friday we will review the first 200 pages and we’ll start with the 310th page on Monday the 18th.
Enjoy, this is a fast paced text. Make sure to keep track of characters and these major themes in your highlighting and annotating:
• Pay close attention to elements of the background that will later justify Dantes’ villainy. Does the pain caused justify his retribution?
• Divine Justice vs. Human Justice (With Dantes as the chief figure)
• Envy vs. Satisfaction (which characters appreciate their lives and which envy others)
• Dantes as being set-apart from society, and the effects that has on him (post jail)
1. Up to Chapter XIV (p. 104) by Monday May 4th.
2. Up to Chapter XXVII (p. 203) by Monday May 11
3. Up to Chapter XL (p. 310) by Monday May 18th
4. Up to Chapter LII (p.431) by Tuesday May 26th
5. Up to Chapter LXVII (p. 541) by Monday June 1st
6. Finish text on Wednesday June 3rd, Chapter LXXI (p. 582)
The portion of the reading schedule that is set in stone is that you need to be up to page 203 by Monday May 11th. We will begin working on the text as a class on May 14th. That Thursday and Friday we will review the first 200 pages and we’ll start with the 310th page on Monday the 18th.
Enjoy, this is a fast paced text. Make sure to keep track of characters and these major themes in your highlighting and annotating:
• Pay close attention to elements of the background that will later justify Dantes’ villainy. Does the pain caused justify his retribution?
• Divine Justice vs. Human Justice (With Dantes as the chief figure)
• Envy vs. Satisfaction (which characters appreciate their lives and which envy others)
• Dantes as being set-apart from society, and the effects that has on him (post jail)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The Count of Monte Cristo
Here is the cover of the text you guys need to get. Make sure it is this cover. It's the one that is just like the Pride and Prejudice text we just read in class.
Enjoy Break!
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