AP English Literature Reading Assignment
Read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (due 10/21), Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
(due 1/6), and The Awakening by Kate Chopin (due 2/24). The following assignments will be due in class on
the above dates as well.
1. Annotations: visit the websites below to see how to annotate texts
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/197454.html.
http://www.arteducators.org/news/national-convention/Zimmerman_How_to_Annotate.pdf.
2. I highly recommend purchasing your own texts so that you can annotate directly in the book itself.
However, if you are borrowing a copy you may use post-it notes instead.
3. I additionally want a typed set of summaries for each chapter or division. These summaries should be
succinct and grammatically sound. The Frankenstein summaries and annotations are due 10/21, The
Rime of the Ancient Mariner summaries and annotations are due 1/6, and The Awakening summaries and
annot
ations
are
due 2/24.
4. Choose one of the following essay topics and respond in a 2-3 page typed formal essay. Due 10/21
a. Discuss Mary Shelley’s portrayal of women in the novel Frankenstein.
b. Analyze the appearance and purpose of nature imagery in the novel Frankenstein. Hint: how does it
drive the plot?
5. Choose one of the following essay topics and respond in a 2-3 page typed formal essay. Due 1/6
a. Write a literary analysis examining the theme of isolation in Frankenstein and The Rime of the Ancient
Mariner.
b. Choose a main insight or observation about life discussed in either work. Trace this through the work
noting significant quotes and turning points that develop the plot. How do the main character(s)
embody this observation?
6. Find at least 5 (five) significant quotes (no more than 1 in any chapter) In Kate Chopin's the Awakening.
Quotes can be phrases, clauses, sentences, or passages that you feel represent some universal or
important statement that the novel makes. Include page numbers for all quotes and explain WHY you find
the quotes interesting or valuable (give extended commentary analysis of at least 1 developed paragraph
in length for each quote, as opposed to a few hastily written sentences). Due 2/24
7. Choose one of the following essay topics and respond in a 2-3 page typed formal essay. Due 2/24
a. How does the novel use clothing to show Edna's rebellion against the "rules" of Victorian society?
b. Edna believes she will discover love and happiness with Robert. However, all the men in her life have
controlled or repressed her without understanding that she needs her own independence.Using text
evidence, trace the evolution of her relationships with men through the text.
Plagiarism Note:
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any assignment containing plagiarism will result in a zero. If
you have questions about plagiarism, visit http://plagiarism.org/.