AP Literature Summer Assignment, 2013
The three most common sources of literary allusions in classic literature are the Greek myths, the
Bible, and Shakespeare’s plays. In order to appreciate the depth of AP-level literature, it is
important to familiarize yourself with as much cultural source material as possible, hence the
following summer assignment including mythological and biblical texts. (We will read a
Shakespeare play and Shakespearean sonnets in the first semester.)
Greek myths
1. Using Mythology by Edith Hamilton, make concise notes on the stories listed below for
reference during the year. You may substitute charts or graphic organizers for prose, where
appropriate. Notes are due the first day of class. Be sure you use Hamilton as your source, as
myths have a variety of versions.
Part 1: The Gods, the Creation, and the Earliest Heroes
The Two Great Gods of Earth
How the World and Mankind Were Created
The Earliest Heroes
Part 2: Stories of Love and Adventure
Cupid and Psyche
Two of the Eight Brief Tales of Lovers
Pyramus and Thisbe
Endymion
Three of the Four Great Adventures
Phaethon
Pegasus and Bellerophon
Daedalus
Part 3: The Great Heroes before the Trojan War
Part 4: The Heroes of the Trojan War
Part 5: The Great Families of Mythology
2. Choose 2-3 favorite stories, one of which will become the subject for an original skit you will
write in the first week of class.
3. Be prepared for a detailed test on Mythology at the beginning of the semester that
makes use of mythological allusions in classic literature and in popular culture as
the basis of some of its questions.
sample question #1: explain the allusions in this passage from Romeo and Juliet:
"Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds,
Towards Phoebus' lodging: such a wagoner
As Phaethon would whip you to the west,
And bring in cloudy night immediately." --Juliet
sample question #2: Why is Hermes an appropriate mascot for a flower delivery service?
Biblical stories
1. Using the King James translation of the Bible, make concise notes on the stories listed below.
You can find these texts on-line; printing them out is optional. Notes are due the first day of class.
Hebrew Testament (at least half of these stories are in Genesis and Exodus)
Creation/The Garden of Eden
Ark of the Covenant
Noah and the flood
Fall of Jericho
Tower of Babel
Sampson and Delilah
Abraham, Sarah and Isaac
David and Goliath
Hagar and Ishmael
David and Bathsheba
Sodom and Gomorrah
Solomon/The Temple
Jacob and Esau
Elijah/Chariot of fire
Rachel and Leah
Daniel/Lion's Den/Writing on the Wall
Joseph and his brothers
Jonah
Moses birth and life
Job
Crossing the Red Sea/Exodus/time in desert
The Book of Ecclesiastes
Mt. Sinai/10 commandments
New Testament/Gospel of Matthew
Nativity
Visit from the Magi
Flight to Egypt
John the Baptist
Temptation in the Desert
Sermon on the Mount
Calming the Storm
Feeding 5000
Walking on Water
Parables of the Lost Sheep/Lost Coin
Parable of The Rich Young Man
Entry into Jerusalem
Turning Table in the Temple
Last Supper
Trial and Crucifixion
Empty Tomb
New Testament/Gospel of Luke:
The Good Samaritan
The Prodigal Son
2. Be prepared to read several poems, short stories, and/or passages from literature that use a
plot or characters from the above biblical texts as subject matter and write an in-class
essay, explaining how the material relates to the meaning of the passage.
A novel
1. Read Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and write an argument with a clear thesis on
which of the five major characters is the protagonist of the novel (Nathan, Orleanna, Rachel, Adah,
Leah or Ruth May). Clearly define the characteristics of a protagonist and use references to the
text as evidence to support your opinion as to which character best fits these characteristics. The
2-3 page paper is due the first day of class.
Suggested reading (if you haven’t read these books, or similar books, in 9-11th grade)
Antigone, The Odyssey, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Great Expectations, Jane Eyre, Pride and
Prejudice, Lord of the Flies, 1984, The Scarlet Letter, Frankenstein, The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Death of a Salesman, Catcher in
the Rye, The Things They Carried, et. al.