John H. Reagan High School
713-865-4416
www.jhreagan.org
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition Summer 2015 Assignment
Instructor: Mr. Wise , Ms. Thiem
E-mail: cwise@houstonisd.org
sthiem@houtonisd.org
Phone Number: (713) 861-5694
Website:
The summer assignment for Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition is to read
Charles Dickens' novel Great Expectations or Edith Wharton The House of Mirth, take thematic notes in response to the reading, view
either a film version of the novel. There are two for Dickens and one for the Wharton.
In preparation for the rigor of this class, students must take notes on the reading to facilitate them
in writing an intelligent, thoughtful essay. Look for and identify important passages from the novel (citing page numbers) that reveal
the characters and the essential themes that arise in the novel.
1) Society and social class
2) Innocence
3) Ambition and self-improvement
4) Internal struggle to reconcile conscious and self-knowledge
5) The destructive power of envy
6) Guilt and complicity
Complete the following as you read the novel:



Choose only five of the six themes listed above.
Gather at least two significant passages for each of the five themes you select.
Record the passages in the note-taking sheet along with your response in the appropriate
columns.
Guidelines for selecting significant passages from Great Expectations or The House of Mirth
Look for passages that show how characters grow and change over the course of the novel, in both
their attitudes and outlook on life. What do these changes reveal about human character? How does
the author use symbolism and conflict to reveal insights about human nature? How do the topics
and themes mentioned above connect to the characters? Look for opportunities in the novel to
expand on and analyze character thoughts, actions, and events. How do character actions, events,
and ideas provide insight into larger truths about people's behaviors and motivations?
In preparation for writing the film review, take notes relating to significant differences
between the novel and the film in the following three areas:
1. How true to the novel is the portrayal of the characters?
2. Discuss which internal and external conflicts were focused on in the movie and which were
ignored.
3. To what extent are the novel's themes developed in the movie you selected?
Make sure both sets of notes (one set for the themes in
the book and one set comparing and contrasting the film and the book) Deadlines:
 Your deadline to submit your notes is the first day of classes.

You will write an essay comparing and contrasting the film and the book

Late Assignments: Choosing not to complete this assignment is an
indication that you do not belong in AP English Literature and Composition.
The course requires a significant commitment of your energy and time, and if you won't read one
book, watch one movie, and take some notes over the course of a two-month vacation, then you
probably will not thrive in AP Lit. If you insist on remaining enrolled in the class despite your
failure to complete the assignment on time, you will be required to make it up within the first six
weeks of the school year.
If You Need Help: If you are struggling in any way with this assignment, contact your instructor via e-mail.
Directions: Choose five (5) themes from the list and gather at least two (2) quotes for
each. (2 quotations per theme = 10 total.) Record these passages with their pages
numbers below. Your important passages can illustrate any of the following:

how characters grow and change over the course of the novel, both in their
attitudes and their outlook on life and what you think these changes illustrate
about human tendencies or why people act certain ways
 how the author uses symbolism and conflict to reveal larger ideas about human
nature and how the topics and themes mentioned above connect to the
characters
how the character's actions, thoughts, and events provide insight into larger
truths about human behavior
Theme
Quote (page #)
This shows…
Flaws in human nature
“When the key of the store – shed was lost, the
...how the author uses irony to demonstrate a
whole farm was convinced that Sonwball had
human weakness. When the animals blame a
thrown it down the well. Curiously enough then
scapegoat for something that goes wrong and
went on believing the even after the mislaid key
cling to this mistaken belief even when the truth
was found under a sack of meal” (45).
is obvious. This seems like clear evidence to me
Example: From Animal Farm
that often-times people are most interested in
their own beliefs than the truth.