A Separate Peace
English 1 Honors/ Humanities I
Summer Assignment
In addition to the summer assignment, the first week of school you will have a test over the novel
A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, and write an in-class essay pertaining to the novel. This
summer assignment is due the first day of school, and should be neat, complete, and reflect your
best effort. One important component is proving that you can follow directions. This is an
individual assignment; any papers that are alike will each receive a zero. Your theme log must be
typed, double-spaced, in 12-point font. We will check our school email intermittently and respond
to any questions you may have:
Traditional Heritage contact rsetten@fjuhsd.net (Mrs. Setten)
Traditional Heritage contact dgiles@fjuhsd.net (Mrs. Giles)
Honors Heritage contact
lpaxman@fjuhsd.net (Mrs. Paxman)
I.
Read the novel A Separate Peace by John Knowles
It is best to obtain your own copy of the novel so that you can annotate/make notes in
the book; however, copies of the book are available for check out in our textbook
room (which is also the library) until mid July.
II.
A Separate Peace Theme Log
Create a theme log based on your reading of the novel. A theme log demonstrates your
understanding of how each of Knowles’ themes develop (manifest) throughout the
novel. As you encounter passages/quotations which support each theme, mark them in
the novel. Use sticky notes if you are not using your own book. After you finish
reading, go back and choose two passages or quotations for each theme listed on the
next page and begin writing your theme journal based on the following directions.
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III.
Type the title of the novel at the top of the page.
Create a chart that has two columns (just like the example on the next page).
Label the left side “Theme.”
Label the right side “Passages and Commentary.”
Theme Log Example
In the right column under “Quotes and Commentary” type two of the passages that
you chose while you were reading and explain how each one demonstrates the theme
which you have listed on the left side column. Remember that a passage can be either
dialogue or narration – just put quotation marks around it, and include the chapter and
page number on which the quotation is found: (1.4) followed by the period for the last
sentence of the passage.
YOU MUST ECHO KEY WORDS FROM THE THEME THAT YOU WROTE IN
THE LEFT COLUMN WHILE WRITING YOUR COMMENTARY. SEE THE
EXAMPLE.
*Notice also that your commentary must be a minimum of three complete and
meaningful sentences. Highlight the periods by circling them in red or using a
highlighter on each.
A Separate Peace
________________________________________________________________________
Theme
Quotes and Commentary
Fear of the unknown
#1 Passage :“The ground beneath them was
changes one’s perception
a bank covered with sparse grass. Behind this was
of his life and surroundings. the forest proper and the open space of the scar”(1.16).
Commentary: The boys have landed in place
unknown to them, an island far removed from their
preparatory school. When they encounter this
wilderness, with its scar, the boys quickly
perceive the danger of being without
adults/leadership and elect a leader to fill this
vacuum. Without doing so, these unfamiliar
surroundings are too dangerous.
#2 Passage: Here you would write a second
example/quote for the theme, cite the chapter and page, and
then provide commentary linking the passage to the theme
in the left column. You will continue to mark words that
connect the commentary back to the theme
IV.
Six Themes for A Separate Peace
You should have a total of twelve (12) passages and commentary when you are finished
with your theme log, two for each theme. The themes are:
1. The struggle between youthful anarchy and old established rules results in progress as
well as conflict.
2. Warfare among the boys reflects the conflicts of the current world war.
3. Memory is unreliable. It forgets certain events, changes others, and can misinterpret
the truth.
4. A person does not truly appreciate what he/she has until it is gone.
5. Dominance and jealousy can damage a friendship.
6. The difficulties of understanding oneself during adolescence create uncertainty and
confusion in relationships.
Using these shortened concepts while you are marking your text may also help:
1. Rejection of Old Rules
2. Echoes of WWII
3. Unreliable Memory
4. Late Appreciation
5. Jealousy and Dominance
6. Lack of Self Knowledge
See further example -- next page.
Example 2:
Themes
Passages and Commentary
Theme 1:
The struggle between youthful
anarchy and old established
rules results in progress as well
as conflict.
1. Quoted Passage:
“Use quotation marks as you copy a passage from the book that
relates to how or when the boys choose to break rules and what it
means to them. The passage would explore change as It might lead to
progress and conflict.” (ch. pg)
1.
1. My Commentary:
These are your thoughts and understandings. In at least three
sentences, explain a) what is going on in the story, and b) how it
demonstrates or relates to the theme.
2. Quoted Passage: “…” (1.2)
2. My Commentary:
Theme 2:
Name: ______________________________
Rubric and Score: Summer Assignment, A Separate Peace
Point possible
Period:__________
Points earned
5
Formatting:
Neatly typed and presented:
12pt font, double-column
format, title at top
Each theme is appropriately
represented.
5
Each theme is accompanied by
2 relevant passages or
quotations with citations.
10
Commentary for each passage is
at least 3 sentences, relevant
and well-considered.
Totals
10
30
Name: ______________________________
Period:__________
Rubric and Score: Summer Assignment, A Separate Peace
Point possible
Formatting:
Neatly typed and presented:
12pt font, double-column
format, title at top
Each theme is appropriately
represented.
5
5
Each theme is accompanied by
a 2 relevant passages or
quotations with citations.
10
Commentary is at least 3
sentences, relevant and wellconsidered.
Totals
10
30
Points earned