NAME _________________________________________________________________ CLASS ______ DATE _______________
A Separate Peace: Reader’s Log (MAJOR GRADE)
DUE DATE: __________________
PART I: THEME
 Include 3 entries illustrating the various themes present in A Separate Peace (you must have 3 different themes).
 Examples of the various themes must span the entire book (1 theme from chapters 1-5, 6-9, 10-13).
 Copy complete excerpts from the text using proper parenthetical documentation. Needless use of ellipses is not acceptable.
 Use this three-column format, typed (this outline will be on my webpage for you to use).
 Commentary (analysis) must be at least 3-4 sentences in length and must thoroughly explain the meaning of the theme and its
importance to the story’s plot and/or characters.
 Rubric: Quotations with proper parenthetical documentation (5pts. each) Theme identification (2pts. each) Commentary/ analysis
(10pts. each).
Quotations
EXAMPLE:
“I was beginning to see that Phineas could get away
with anything. I couldn't help envying him
that a little, which was perfectly normal. There was
no harm in envying even your best friend a little”
(Knowles 25).
1.
2.
3.
Theme Present
Envy
Commentary (At least 3-4 QUALITY sentences analyzing the quote for theme. The
majority of your grade will come from this section.)
EXAMPLE:
Gene is starting to realize the influence Finny has over the people at Devon. Finny ‘s
personality is charismatic and hypnotic. Gene knows he would never be able to get
away with the things Finny is able to. With this realization, Gene becomes envious of
that particular quality in Finny that he himself does not possess. Although he tries to
justify his feelings, this envy will later get the better of him and cause Gene to act out
inappropriately.
PART II: Metaphor, Figurative Language and Symbolism
 Include 3 entries illustrating the power of metaphor, figurative language and symbolism in A Separate Peace (you must have 3
different examples). Choose carefully. A Separate Peace is rich with language, and your log should be representative of such.
 Examples must span the entire book (1 each from chapters 1-5, 6-9, 10-13). Copy complete excerpts from the text using proper
parenthetical documentation. Needless use of ellipses is not acceptable.
 Use this three-column format, typed (this outline will be on my webpage for you to use).
 Commentary (analysis) must be at least 3-4 sentences in length and must thoroughly explain the meaning of the metaphor,
figurative language, or symbolism and its importance to the story’s plot and/or characters.
 Rubric: Quotations with proper parenthetical documentation (5pts. each) Element identification (1pt. each) Commentary/ analysis
(10pts. each).
Sample Entry:
Quotations
Element Present
1. “Isolated laughter carried to us from the back of
the gym, and then over all, cool and matriarchal, the
six o’clock bell from the Academy Building cupola,
the calmest, most carrying bell toll in the world,
civilized, calm, invincible, and final” (Knowles 18).
Metaphor
EXAMPLE:
Commentary (At least 3-4 QUALITY sentences analyzing the quote. The majority of
your grade will come from this section.)
GOOD EXAMPLE:
The use of the word “matriarchal” metaphorically implies that the Academy Building
bell is a mother figure for the boys at Devon. “Calm,” “civilized,” and “final,” describes
the bell that guides the boys in the absence of their own mothers. It wakes them in
the morning; it leads them to class, and reminds them of suppertime just like “mom”
would.
POOR EXAMPLE: The metaphor is the bell as a mother. The author does this to
emphasize how the bell makes the boys go to dinner.
1.
2.
3.