Advanced Placement English Literature
Summer Reading 2013
Welcome to AP English Lit! Our required novels for this summer are Jane Eyre by Charlotte
Brontë and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. In addition, students must read selected
sections of Edith Hamilton’s Mythology or similar text of the Greek and Roman myths.
These readings are begun over the summer for three reasons:
1) to give you a taste of the types of literature that will be studied over the course of the year
2) to afford you essential background knowledge of the places and times often featured in
AP Examination passages and
3) to build your vocabulary for discourse, so you can easily write an informed analysis or
engage in deeper discussions of these types of texts.
Completing these readings in the summer will also allow our class to “hit the ground running,”
which is essential if we are to study eight or nine books and plays in depth in two semesters.
These books are widely available at bookstores and libraries. I strongly suggest purchasing “like
new” copies from Powell’s online bookstore or from Amazon.com. (Better yet, check out the
Los Angeles Public Library’s book sales, listed on the Events page at lapl.org.) If borrowing from
the library instead of purchasing, remember to renew so you can use the book in class.
You will be required to annotate both novels and write dialectical journals for each. This
assignment is due the first day of the Fall semester. You must come to class with both books
in hand and the journals completed and ready to turn in. You should also expect to take a quiz
on the myths some time in the first two weeks. Be prepared!
Annotation
As you read, you must annotate your books, either by underlining and writing notes in the
margins (pencil recommended) or using Post-it notes. You should have 20-30 annotations
(comments and questions) spread throughout each book.
Dialectical Journals
For each book, you will need to choose 10 quotations from the work that best convey conflicts
as noted below. The quotations should be spread throughout the novel (the beginning, middle,
and end). For each quotation, you should list the page number, copy the quotation, and write a
short paragraph in which you explain what conflict the quotation reflects and justify your
choice. The paragraphs should be long enough to make your points but not repetitive.
(Reminder: a quotation does not necessarily mean in quotations; it can be any part of the story,
either dialogue or prose.)
Jane Eyre
This novel portrays the emotional, intellectual and spiritual growth of Jane as she struggles with
a variety of external and internal conflicts. Please choose three of Jane’s internal conflicts to
trace, and write 3 to 4 entries on each of the conflicts you select, for a total of 10.
You may choose from the following internal conflicts:
Feelings of inferiority vs. Feelings of superiority
Reason vs. Passion
Needs of self vs. Demands of others
Submission vs. Rebellion
Great Expectations
This novel portrays the coming of age of Pip, who also struggles with a variety of conflicts.
Please trace three of the following themes and conflicts related to Pip and other characters
(3 to 4 entries on each for a total of 10):
Truth vs. Dishonesty
Guilt vs. Innocence
Loyalty vs. Ambition
Romantic Love vs. Self Respect
Greek & Roman Mythology
Since many of the works we will examine contain allusions to Greek and Roman mythology,
students are asked to study the following tales of gods, heroes and hapless mortal bystanders:
The “Greater” Gods: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Aphrodite, Artemis, Athena, Hermes,
Apollo, Ares, Demeter and Dionysus.
Heroes: Achilles, Hercules, Jason, Perseus, Theseus
Other Significant Stories: Atlas; The Amazons; Arachne; Bellerephon & Pegasus; Cupid &
Psyche; Daphne; Icarus; King Midas; Narcissus; Pandora; Persephone; Prometheus; Pygmalion
& Galatea; Sisyphus.
The instructor recommends obtaining a copy of Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, as it contains all of
the above myths and is more accessible than older collections (e.g. Bullfinch’s Mythology), but
you can also read up on these myths online. There will be a quiz covering the above-listed
myths when school resumes.
Grading
Your journals will be graded on a 4-point scale (Advanced, Proficient, Basic, Not Proficient).
Please note that Dialectical Journals will only be graded after proof of annotation has been
provided.
Quotations for your Journals should be carefully chosen, reflect “big ideas”, and demonstrate
readings from throughout the text. Responses should be articulate, include a clear discussion of
the particular conflict examined, and demonstrate the thematic importance of the quotations.
Support
This sheet, along with a handout on Dialectical Journaling, will be posted on the instructor’s
website at https://sites.google.com/site/msmadnick/home
If you have any questions during the course of the summer, please send email to Ms. Madnick
at msmadnick@gmail.com.
Enjoy Your Summer Break!