Summer Reading for 10th Grade Gifted for 2012
Assignment 1:
Lord of the Flies by William Gerald Golding
Read the novel. As you read, highlight AND take notes in the book regarding important
aspects which support any and all forms of symbolism present in the novel. These books
will not be used in your exams, so you may highlight and note in the book itself. This
should make preparation for exams easier for you at the end of the year.
Writing assignment: You are to write a 500 to 800 word paper on one of the following
essay questions:
1.
2.
Consider the character of Jack. How does he appear to be a qualified leader?
What are his actual qualifications? Would he be a good leader? Why or why
not? Compare him to Ralph. Who is better suited to lead the boys?
Generally sum up why Jack‘s character is introducing anarchy on the island
and how.
Throughout the story, trace the symbolic role of fire. Begin with the raging
fire that kills the small boy, consider the changing role of fire between Jack’s
tribe and Ralph’s, and finish with the fire that destroys the island and brings
rescue.
Any quotes should be documented correctly.
Essays are to be typed and brought to school the 3rd day of class.
Assignment 2:
Anthem by Ayn Rand
Read the novel. As you read, highlight AND take notes on anything depicting Rand’s
philosophies of Objectivism in the novel. An explanation of Objectivism is provided to
help you. Complete the study guide.
Writing assignment: You are to write a 500 to 800 word paper on the following essay
question:
1.
How does Ayn Rand achieve her purpose of depicting her philosophies of
Objectivism in Anthem? Show how they are represented in Anthem. Be sure to quote
and use parentheticals correctly.
Anthem Study Guide
Chapter One
1.
If you found this first chapter difficult to follow, what might be a possible reason?
Who is the narrator? What is the point of view?
2.
What is the motto engraved in marble over the portals of the Palace of the World
Council? What prayer is recited every night? What does it tell you about this futuristic
world?
3.
In order to understand the world Equality 7-2521 lives in: What is the Home of
the Infants? What transgressions does he commit here?
4.
What is the Home of Students? What transgressions does he commit here?
5.
What is the Council of Vocations? What is the Transgression of Preference?
6.
What do all of these homes have in common? What purpose does each serve?
7.
What is the Science of Things? What do you understand the Great Rebirth to be?
8.
What is the Home of the Useless? An Old One? An Ancient One?
9.
Why is it difficult to see this as a novel of the “future”? Since it is a futuristic
novel, what do you assume has happened to the world as we know it today?
10.
What is a Life Mandate? What happens to Equality 7-2521 when he appears
before the Council of Vocations to receive his Life Mandate?
11.
How do you explain the way in which he receives his assignment?
12.
What is his life like for the next four years?
13.
What does his future hold for him?
14.
Who are Union 5-3992 and International 4-8818?
15.
What is the Uncharted Forest? The Unmentionable Times?
16.
What does Equality find?
17.
Why does International say, “May the Council have mercy upon both of our
hearts”?
18.
For the next two years, what does Equality do in relationship to his discovery?
19.
Just by going there, what does Equality do in relationship to his discovery?
20.
How does International help him?
21.
What other transgressions does Equality commit?
Chapter Two – Four
1.
Who lives in the Home of Peasants?
2.
Who is Liberty 5-3000? Why is Equality attracted to her?
3.
What forms of expression do their feelings for each other take? Why are they so
hesitant and cautious?
4.
What are the Council of Eugenics and the City Palace of Mating?
5.
What names to Equality and Liberty exchange? Why is this significant?
6.
As he sits in his tunnel, what does Equality recognize as the WORD that describes
the feeling that is always among his brothers?
7.
Even though he is committing serious transgressions, for which he can be
severely punished, why does he feel no fear in the tunnel?
8.
What is the feeling of the Council toward happiness? Why might his behavior
still arouse suspicion?
9.
What would seem to suggest there are others who are also deeply troubled by the
world in which they are forced to live?
10.
What further details do you find concerning the Uncharted Forest? The Dawn of
the Great Rebirth? The Great Script Fires?
11.
What is the only crime punishable by death in this world?
12.
What is the effect on Equality when , as a child, he views the execution of The
Transgressor of the Unspeakable Word (the Saint of the Pyre)?
13.
What is the discovery of nature that Equality makes?
14.
With this discovery, to what does he dedicate himself?
15.
In what way does the meeting between Equality and Liberty in Chapter Four seal
the bond between them?
Chapters Five – Seven
1.
In Chapter Five, what does he wish for now that he had not though about before?
Why?
2.
What is the thing he has created in the tunnel?
3.
What does he think of as the good that can come from the discovery?
4.
How is he going to make his gift known?
5.
Why does he think he will not be punished for his transgressions?
6.
Why does he now care what happens to him? How is this linked to one theme of
the novel?
7.
What happens this night that results in his being caught?
8.
Why is he taken to the Palace of Corrective Detention?
9.
What is he subjected to there? What do you think his captors are trying to
accomplish?
10.
Why is it easy for him to escape from his confinement?
11.
What is the ONE thing that he hopes for after his discovery is made known to the
World Council of Scholars?
12.
Why would the World Council of Scholars have been shocked by Equality’s
appearance under any circumstance?
13.
What is their reaction when he shows them his discovery?
14.
What are some of the reasons they reject his invention completely?
15.
Why does he take the discovery and escape from everyone to the Uncharted
Forest?
16.
What is he sure will happen to him as a result of Solitude and the Beasts of the
Forest?
17.
What is the only thing that lifts his spirit?
18.
What is his feeling about the Golden One?
Chapter Eight to Ten
1.
What is Equality’s feeling when he awakens the next day in the Uncharted
Forest? How is this related to the title?
2.
What is his reaction to seeing himself for the first time?
3.
Why is he hindered in thinking out his feelings and coming to any real
understanding about himself?
4.
What is the reason the Golden One follows him through the Uncharted Forest?
5.
How do they adapt to life in the forest and manage to survive in the wilderness
that should have killed them?
6.
How does the happiness they find contradict everything they have been taught?
7.
How do you explain her reaction after saying . . . “We love you”?
8.
Equality says that one of his plans is to build a house in which they are to live.
Instead, what do they find to take the place of this?
9.
How would you describe the kind of house they find? How does this give some
hint as to the setting of the novel?
10.
What are some of the things in the house that puzzle them at first because they are
different from the city they left behind?
11.
What is the thought that plagues Equality as he looks out on his new world?
Chapters Eleven – Twelve
1.
An anthem is a song or hymn of praise or gladness; what is the ONE word of
Equality’s anthem? How is this tied in with the Unspeakable Word?
2.
Summarize Equality’s new philosophy and understanding about himself in
relationship to the rest of mankind?
3.
Why does he now understand why he never felt any guilt for his actions and
thoughts before?
4.
What is the significance of the Golden One saying, “I love you”?
5.
What is the significance of the names Equality chooses for them?
6.
What does he now see as his future?
7.
What specific plans does he have in regard to the house and the others left behind
in the city of the old world?
8.
What does he see as the things that have enslaved humanity throughout the ages?
9.
What does he still find difficult to understand?
10.
How might this have been interpreted as a warning in 1936, 1945, or even today?
Is this warning valid?
11.
What is the significance of the word inscribed above the portal of this house in
which he has chosen to live? Discuss.
Lord of the Flies Study Guide
Chapter One
1.
Why is the chapter entitled “The Sound of the Shell?”
2.
What is Ralph’s attitude toward Piggy in the first chapter?
3.
What is the significance of Piggy’s plea to join the expedition?
4.
Why is Ralph elected chief?
5.
What is the “scar” that is repeatedly mentioned?
6.
Why is Jack unable to kill the pig?
7.
What do Piggy, Simon, and the littlun with the birthmark have in common?
8.
How is Jack presented to the reader?
9.
Why did Golding use British school boys?
10.
How is Piggy revealed as most closely tied to the world of adults?
11.
How is Piggy indirectly responsible for the blowing of the conch?
Chapter Two
1. What question does the littlun with the birthmark raise?
2. How do Ralph and Jack answer the question about the beast?
3. What is the significance of the chapter’s title, “Fire on the Mountain”?
4. How do they start the fire?
Chapter Three
1. What is the significance of the title “Huts on the Beach”?
2. Why does Ralph reproach Jack?
3. What two groups with differing goals are emerging?
4. Why does Simon go to his bower?
Chapter Four
1.
What is the significance of the title “Painted Faces and Long Hair”?
2.
Why does Roger, throwing stones at the littluns, aim just to miss?
3.
What definite stand does Ralph make?
4.
Why does Jack refuse to give Piggy meat?
Chapter Five
1.
What is the significance of the title “Beast from Water”?
2.
What is the paradox of the boys’ attitude toward the beast?
3.
Why does Ralph call a meeting?
4.
Why does Piggy dissuade Ralph from giving up his position as chief?
Chapter Six
1.
What is the irony of the dead parachutist landing on the mountain?
2.
Why is Simon the only one to doubt the existence of a beast?
3.
Why do Ralph and Jack both insist on going after the beast?
4.
Why does Jack say that they don’t need the conch any longer?
Chapter Seven
1.
Why does Simon tell Ralph that “you” will get back all right?
2.
What happens when Ralph wounds the boar?
3.
What does Ralph ask Jack?
4.
Why do the boys run from the dead chutist?
Chapter Eight
1. Why do the boys refuse to vote for Jack as chief but slip off to join him later?
2. What does Jack tell his new tribe?
3. Why is the killing of the sow discussed in such detail?
4. What does the Lord of the Flies tell Simon?
Chapter Nine
1. What reason does Ralph give for the boys’ defection to Jack?
2. What kind of leader is Jack?
3. How does Jack propose to rule without the conch?
4. Why do Ralph and Piggy join the dance?
5. Why is Simon’s dead body carried out to sea in terms of glorification?
Chapter Ten
1. What is the significance of the title “The Shell and the Glasses”?
2. Why do Ralph, Piggy and Samneric lie about their part in Simon’s death, or use
the darkness as an excuse?
3. How is Wilfred punished?
4. How does Jack account for the death of Simon?
Chapter Eleven
1.
Why do Ralph and Piggy decide to visit Jack’s camp?
2.
What is the reaction of Jack’s tribe to Ralph’s talk of rescue?
3.
What happens when Piggy holds up the conch and tried to talk?
4.
Why does Roger shove his way past Jack, only just managing not to edge him
aside?
Chapter Twelve
1. How does Ralph learn of Jack’s plans for him?
2. What does Ralph say to the twins when they refuse to help him?
3. Does Ralph understand why he must be killed?
4. What is the irony of Samneric’s behavior?
5. How does the author describe Ralph’s flight across the island?
6. What is the irony of the fire?
7. Why is Percival unable to remember his name and address?
8. Why is Piggy’s fall emphasized?
9. Why does Ralph say that he is in charge of the island?
10. What comparison is implied at the end of the novel?