AP ENGLISH LITERATURE SUMMER READING
You have four books to read this summer:
Othello Shakespeare Norton Critical Edition
Frankenstein Mary Shelley Norton Critical Edition
Grendel or John Gardiner
Beowulf Seamus Heaney’s translation
How to Read Literature Like a Professor Thomas Foster
*You must have the Norton Critical editions of the first two books. Your
additional assignments come from them.
*Grendel does have some strong language so you have the option to read Seamus
Heaney’s translation of Beowulf instead.
*The Thomas Foster book will be applied to Frankenstein
Additional reading assignments:
Read the tale/myth of Prometheus
Read some biographical material on Shelley
Read pages 169-174, 205-224, 241-261 and 271-286 in Frankestein
Read pages 129-151”Context”, 165-216, 221-235, 244,248-262, 306329 and 350-366 in Othello
Read some background/critical information on John Gardner or do
some research on Beowulf -Some knowledge of modern philosophy
will help you understand some of Grendel
This year instead of writing papers over the summer, you will
need to read your books and mark them for use in Harkness
discussions during the first month of school. You will
eventually write an essay over things from summer reading as
a part of a test on the books.
Harkness Discussion Guidelines
1. Prepare for these discussions by close reading (see close reading notes) the works and
doing additional outside exploration if you have questions
2. Listen carefully in discussions
3. Stay close to the text in discussion; keep it open on your desk and be prepared to cite
specific passages to support your thoughts or to bring up an idea for discussion
4. Collaborate-don’t compete! It is NOT A DEBATE ~ IT IS A DISCUSSION!
5. Take turns speaking; be sure to share time fairly-one or two people should not
dominate any discussion-all opinions are valuable
6. Challenge politely if you disagree; suggest another point of view; encourage people to
clarify what they mean to be sure you understood them before you disagree with
them
7. Be sure you fully finish an idea before moving on to another ~ask if people are ready
to move on and summarize what was concluded in the discussion
things to return to them later
8. All aspects of the work are open for discussion
9. You are responsible for the success of the discussion; at this point
you are capable of “digging” into the work; that it is-you are graded on your participation in the
discussions, both verbal and non-verbal
How To Read Literature Like A College Professor assignment
Using Frankenstein, select two of the starred chapters and prepare
notes to discuss in one of your Harkness tables.
_ Introduction: How'd He Do That?
How do memory, symbol, and pattern affect the reading of literature? How does the
recognition of patterns make it easier to read complicated literature? Look for a symbol
or pattern in Frankenstein and think about how it impacts your appreciation of the
themes of the book.
_ Chapter 1 -- Every Trip Is a Quest (Except When It's Not)
List the five aspects of the QUEST and then apply them to Frankenstein.
_ Chapter 10 -- It's More Than Just Rain or Snow
Discuss the importance of weather in the novel, not in terms of plot.
Interlude -- Does He Mean That
_ Chapter 11 --...More Than It's Gonna Hurt You: Concerning Violence
Present examples of the two kinds of violence found in the novel. Show how the effects
are different.
_ Chapter 12 -- Is That a Symbol?
Use the process described on page 106 and investigate any symbol in the book.
_ Chapter 13 -- It's All Political
Assume that Foster is right and "it is all political." Use his criteria to show that
Frankenstein was/is political.
_ Chapter 19 -- Geography Matters...
Discuss at least two different aspects of Frankenstein that Foster would classify under
"geography."
_ Chapter 25 -- Don't Read with Your Eyes
After reading Chapter 25, choose a scene or episode from the novel. Contrast how it
could be viewed by a reader from its own time with how it might be viewed by a
contemporary reader. Focus on specific assumptions that the author makes, assumptions
that would not make it in this century.
Adapted from Assignments originally developed by Donna Anglin. Notes by Marti
Nelson.
If you have questions, you may email me over the summer at
chris.long@sugarcreek.k12.oh.us