Junior Honors Summer Reading Assignment:
Student instructions:
Read Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton and create a dialectic Journal and Essay.
You may check it out from the school or purchase a copy of your own (I would highly recommend this so
that you can annotate it as you read. Or you may access it online at the following sources.
Online Version of Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (control and click to follow this link)
or visit the site:
http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=4517
As you read, follow the instructions below to create a Dialectic Reading Journal (also called a
Double-Entry Journal). You will hand in this journal and it should be at least 4 pages (6 if handwritten) in
length. Copy the format shown and use it to take notes on the short novel. This is an honors assignment
so take complete and thoughtful notes.
Use the example below as a guide: use your own note paper or a computer. Fill it out as you read.
Use the example to guide your note taking.
Page # Passage from the Text
Connotations and comments
10
Things in the text you are commenting
on.
Actually quote the book on this side
Example
11
"made him aware of huge cloudy
meanings behind the daily face of
things."
Continue on to the end of the book…
Your comments or inferences as you are reading the novel.
Things you notice the author doing that are effective or
impactful and also any character insights you notice as you
read.
This is a conversation between you and the author and this
is where you write your half of the conversation.
Ethan does go to school for a short time but had to quit
college to return home after his father died. This quote may
imply that he takes things a bit seriously.
After you have read the book, write a two page essay : Use the questions below as your topic of
discussion. Answer all questions in a well organized and articulate essay.
Is Ethan’s story a personal tragedy born of his indecision and personal failures, a social tragedy
forecast by the oppressive New England setting, or both? Who is responsible for Ethan’s ruin and
misery? Ethan himself? Zeena? Fate? Starkfield? What would it have taken for Ethan to be happy?
Marrying Mattie? Having more money? More courage? Better luck? Leaving town?
Follow the conventions of standard, written English, with correct use of spelling, grammar, and
punctuation.
 Use size 12 in Arial or Times New Roman font throughout the entire paper.
 No title page.
 Include your name and class period, the date and class (Honors 11) in the upper left hand side
(single space this).
 Center the title. Title is Size 12 also.
 Double space the paper.
Bring the book, the journal, and the essay to the first day of class.
You will be given a timed, in-class writing on the book. Be prepared to write about the thematic
elements in the book. The timed writings will occur during the first week of school. Come prepared to
discuss and hand in the Dialectic Journal and the formal essay. Good Luck!