May 2015 Dear Honors Sophomore English Student, Welcome to Honors Sophomore English! This is a challenging course intended to introduce the student to a wide variety of literature, enhance literary analysis skills, and develop advanced composition skills. It will provide you with a wealth of thought-provoking and exciting learning opportunities! As such, it will be necessary for you to complete a summer reading assignment to keep your mental abilities sharp. Your assignment is as follows: PART I: Read the two required novels and one required writing text. These novels and writing text are available at local bookstores and libraries, as well as online. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Grammar Girl Presents: The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students by Mignon Fogarty PART II: Complete the novel reading guides AND writing presentation. Each of the novels has an accompanying reading guide; these guides direct you through the texts as you read. They will be collected for a grade; students are encouraged to complete the study guides for an independent understanding of each novel by the first day of class. It is also strongly recommended that students read the introductory material at the beginning of each study guide, as they will be responsible for this information during the course of the school year. Additionally, the writing text requires a completed presentation detailing specific rules of writing to be applied during the school year. This should be completed by the first day of class. The reading guides and presentation assignment may be accessed through the school web site, on the English Department page. PART III: Test and essay assignments upon return to school. When you return to school in August, you need to be prepared to take a comprehensive test covering both novels as well as composing an essay. The test will cover the general elements of plot in each novel in addition to more thought-provoking analysis questions. It will be an objective test utilizing multiple choice and identification questions. The in-class essay will be a full-length literary analysis that covers thematic elements of both novels. The specific essay topic will be given in class on the day of the essay exam. As you can see, these assignments will be rather intense your summer study will be crucial to success on both the test and essay. (continued on next page)
PART IV: Literary Terms As in any English class, you are also expected to be able to apply certain literary terms in your discussion of the novels when you return. Please learn them before August. Allusion Antagonist Character: * Static vs. Dynamic * Flat vs. Round Characterization Climax Conflict: *External- *Man vs. Man *Man vs. Society *Man vs. Nature *Internal- *Man vs. Self Diction Dénouement Exposition Flashback Foil Foreshadowing Hyperbole Imagery Irony: *Dramatic *Situational *Verbal Metaphor Mood Motivation Personification Plot Point of View: *First Person *Third Person Limited *Third Person Omniscient Protagonist Repetition Resolution Setting Simile Style Symbolism Theme Tone Understatement We also expect you to know the major works read in Honors Freshman English: Bless Me, Ultima, To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, and The Odyssey. If you are not familiar with these works, please take the summer to get to know them! Enjoy your reading! Have a great summer, and we ll see you in August. Sincerely, Mrs. Bart and Mrs. Johnson Honors Sophomore English Instructors
Before You Read: The Picture of Dorian Gray Summer Reading Guide A Word About Aesthetics: The Picture of Dorian Gray, when it was originally published, created a great deal of controversy in Victorian England (a time known for its strict moral standards and artistic boundaries). Most people believed art, including literature, needed to teach a moral lesson of some sort; Oscar Wilde disagreed. He believed in aesthetics, or art for art s sake. Art did not have to carry with it a social lesson it could simply be beautiful, and that was enough. Watch how art functions in the novel and how characters talk about it; then consider whether or not Wilde actually holds true to his philosophy of aestheticism. Character Tracking: As you read The Picture of Dorian Gray, keep descriptions of each of the following characters. Be sure to include any physical descriptions, relationships, personality traits, and especially changes in personality/perceptions throughout the novel. Dorian Gray Lord Henry Wotton Basil Hallward Sibyl Vane James Vane Mrs. Vane Alan Campbell Lady Agatha Lord Fermor Duchess of Monmouth Victoria Wotton Victor Mrs. Leaf Preface-Chapter 2 1. What purpose does the preface serve? Why would Wilde include these epigrams as the opening of his novel? 2. Contrast the characters of Basil Hallward and Lord Henry Wotton. What might each of these characters symbolize? 3. Why is Basil hesitant to introduce Dorian and Lord Henry to each other? What might this foreshadow in the novel? 4. Summarize Lord Henry s advice to Dorian. Do you agree or disagree with his philosophy? 5. Why does Dorian react the way he does to Basil s portrait? What does this indicate about his character? Can you attribute his reaction to Lord Henry in any way? What wish does he express regarding the portrait? 6. What is your opinion of Dorian s self image and identity? Is he impressionable or not? How do you know this? Chapters 3-4 1. What is the story of Dorian s birth and life? How does this reflect upon his character? What might it say about his potential personality? 2. At Lady Agatha s party, what opinions does Lord Henry express? How do the people react? How does Dorian react? 3. Why does Lord Henry determine to mold Dorian? How influential do you think Lord Henry will be upon Dorian? Why? 4. Describe the relationship Dorian has with Sibyl Vane. What is it based upon? What does he love about her? How do you predict this storyline will turn out?
Chapters 5-6 1. How does Sibyl s family react to her engagement to Dorian? 2. James Vane is symbolic of a part of Dorian Gray. How might he be psychologically linked to Dorian? What does he represent? 3. What concerns does Basil Hallward have regarding Dorian s marriage to Sibyl? How does he feel about the way Lord Henry is influencing Dorian? 4. How are women depicted in this novel (think of Sibyl, Victoria Wotton). What does this say about how women were viewed by Wilde and society in general? Chapters 7-8 1. How does Sibyl s poor acting performance affect Dorian? What happens to their relationship? What changes do you see in Dorian from the beginning of the novel to this point? 2. What happens to Dorian s portrait, and what does he do to it as a result? What larger idea might this symbolize? How does Dorian feel about the portrait? 3. How does Dorian react to the news of Sibyl s suicide? Is this a predictable reaction? 4. What very significant vow does Dorian make to himself? What do you predict will happen as a result of this pact? 5. Does Wilde s theory of aestheticism still hold at this point in the novel? Why (not)? Give specific examples. Chapters 9-10 1. Dorian and Basil s conversation after Sibyl s death tells us a great deal about Dorian. What does this conversation reveal? Does he truly believe the things he says, or is there a deeper feeling he is denying underneath his superficial comments? If so, what is it? 2. What is significant about Dorian hiding the painting? How does he now feel about the painting? Why? 3. The yellow book Lord Henry sends Dorian contains what philosophies? How does Dorian react to it? What does this say about his journey into the realm of pleasure? 4. Cite two examples in this novel, and in particular these chapters, that express the philosophy that life actually imitates art, rather than the usual assumption that art imitates life. How do these examples show this idea? Chapters 11-12 1. What stories begin to circulate about Dorian? Why do people largely dismiss them? 2. How has Dorian become obsessed with his portrait? What are his reactions to it? 3. What effect has Dorian s life had upon his acquaintances? Who calls these to Dorian s attention? What is Dorian s response? 4. At this point in the novel, is Dorian entirely evil or does he retain some semblance of a conscience? Why do you think this? Chapters 13-14 1. How does Basil react at seeing Dorian s portrait? Is this a predictable reaction? Why (not)? 2. What is significant about Dorian s murder of Basil? What did Basil symbolize? What might happen now that Dorian has eliminated this ethical influence? 3.For what purpose has Dorian called upon Alan Campbell? Who does Dorian s manipulation of him remind you of? Why? What has happened to Dorian since the beginning of the novel? 4. What elements of this novel are gothic? Cite specific examples. (If you aren t aware of what gothic elements are, please search for them online.) 5. Can you dismiss Dorian as purely evil at this point or not? What in the novel tells you this?
Chapters 15-16 1. How does Dorian feel at the upper-class party after Basil s death? Why might he be feeling this way? 2. Where does Dorian find refuge, if not at the pleasurable parties of the upper class? What does this portend for his future? 3. James Vane appears again at this point in the story. Reconsider what you believe James symbolizes. Does your hypothesis still make sense? Why (not)? If not, what does he now appear to symbolize? 4. Dorian s tricking of James represents his deception of what other character? Chapters 17-18 1. What opinions of beauty and love are expressed at Dorian s party? Do you agree? Why (not)? 2. What causes Dorian to swoon in this chapter? Why is this significant? 3. How does Dorian feel about love? Do you agree with his analysis of his ability to love? 4. Why is the death of James Vane important? 5. What is the portrait a representation of? How do you know? Chapters 19-20 1. What are Dorian s intentions as chapter 19 opens? Why do you think he has a sudden attack of conscience? 2. How does Lord Henry react to Dorian s urge to be virtuous? Why would he react this way? 3. Why hasn t the painting changed for the better after Dorian s attempt at goodness? 4. What is Dorian s ultimate fate? Is this a predictable end to his life of debauchery? Why (not)? Paragraph Response Question Write a formal, 8-10 sentence paragraph for each question. Please type your paragraphs using MLA style. 1. Does Wilde stick to the idea that art should be solely for beauty and art s sake? Or does he end up giving art a moral meaning? Cite examples from the book that demonstrate your opinion.
Frankenstein Summer Reading Guide Before You Read: A Word about Mary Shelley: Mary Shelley was the daughter of two radical intellectuals, William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft. Although her mother died right after her birth, Mary s father kept an intellectual household: many writers and poets often visited their house to discuss politics, literature, science, and philosophy. In fact, when Mary was just nine years old, she witnessed Samuel Taylor Coleridge recite his poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, in her living room. At just 16 years old, Mary and poet Percy Shelley, whom she knew through her father, eloped to France. They married two years later, when Mary was just 18. The two authors traveled through Europe visiting with friends and studying the arts. Her life had its share of tragedies, however. Mary suffered several miscarriages, and lost several children in their infancy. Frankenstein was written when the Shelleys and several of their friends were living in Switzerland, on Lake Geneva. One stormy night, Mary and Percy, Lord Byron, and their doctor-friend John Polidori were reading ghost stories to each other, when Lord Byron proposed that they each write one and share them with each other. Mary had recently overheard Lord Byron and Percy discussing the concept of galvanism, or the idea that electricity could create life artificially, and used this as inspiration for her novel. Frankenstein is an epistolary novel (a novel written as a series of letters), and is a frame story (a story within a story). The novel in its entirety took Mary approximately one year to write, and it was first published in 1818, when Shelley was 19 years old. Sadly, Mary became a widower when she was just 25 years old, and Percy Shelley died in a boating accident. Character Tracking: As you read Frankenstein, keep descriptions of each of the following characters. Be sure to include any physical descriptions, relationships, personality traits, and especially changes in personality/perceptions throughout the novel. Victor Frankenstein Captain Robert Walton Elizabeth Lavenza Caroline Frankenstein Alphonse Frankenstein The Creature Felix DeLacey Agatha DeLacey Old Man DeLacey Safie Professor Waldman Professor Kempe Henry Clerval William Frankenstein Justine Moritz Frankenstein Letters 1-4 1. Who is Robert Walton? What is he searching for? What is his attitude toward his quest? What do these details suggest to you about his character? 2. In his letter to his sister, what does Walton say he longs for? Why do you think Walton feels lonely even though he is on board a ship with a full crew? 3. How does Walton respond to the stranger? Why do you think Walton is attracted to the stranger? 4. Walton has a thirst for knowledge, as the stranger once did. What details suggest that both are willing to make sacrifices in the search for knowledge? Chapters 1-10 1. Describe Victor as a student and a scientist. How do you think Victor s childhood upbringing and relationship with his father, especially, contributed to his motivation and goals? 2. Who is Elizabeth, and how does Victor feel about her? What is Caroline Frankenstein s dying wish? How do Victor and Elizabeth respond to this wish?
3. What is Frankenstein s purpose in pursuing science? What does he study? How do you interpret Victor s initial response to the success of his experiment? 4. Frankenstein says, I shunned my fellow creatures as if I had been guilty of a crime. From your reading, give specific examples of Victor s isolation from others. What does this tell you about his personality? Explain. 5. How is Victor affected by the knowledge that the creature may be responsible for the death of William? In chapter 7, what statement suggests that he views the creature as part of himself? Do you agree with Frankenstein that he bears some responsibility for the death? Why? 6. How does the creature explain his evil behavior? Why does he decide to frame Justine Moritz? Why did he decide to expose himself to William? 7. How, exactly, does Victor feel about Justine s death? Why is his response to her sentence arrogant or insulting to her? Chapters 11-16 1. How does the creature get to know the family who lives in the cottage? Why is he drawn to the family? How does the family s reaction to the creature affect his view of himself and the human race? 2. After reading Paradise Lost, why does the creature think he is like Adam in that book? Why does he think he is like Satan? What are the specific reasons that the creature gives for hating his creator? 3. Explain Safie s relationship with the DeLacey family. Chapters 17-21 1. What arguments does the creature use to persuade Frankenstein to make the female creature? How does Frankenstein s decision affect Frankenstein s mood and personal life? 2. What keeps Victor from completing the second creature? Why does the creature direct his revenge to Victor s wedding? 3. How does Victor become lost at sea? What happens when he lands in Ireland? Why does he call himself Henry Clerval s murderer? Chapters 22-24 1. What does Frankenstein promise to tell Elizabeth after they are married? How does he behave in the weeks leading up to their wedding? Why is Frankenstein especially agitated as evening approaches on their wedding day? 2. What happens to Elizabeth? What is ironic, or unexpected, about the creature s revenge on Victor? What does Frankenstein resolve to do? 3. How does Shelley show that Frankenstein and the creature are both obsessed with revenge? Does either of them win? Explain. 4. How does Shelley return to her frame story in Chapter 24? What effect does she achieve by using this frame story? 5. Victor warns Walton about the creature-what exactly does he tell Walton about the Creature s personality? 6. Why does the Creature commit suicide? Paragraph Response Questions Write a formal, 8-10 sentence paragraph for each question. Please type your paragraphs using MLA style. 1. The three main female characters in Frankenstein (Caroline Frankenstein, Elizabeth Lavenza, Justine Moritz) are portrayed as having especially timid, weak personalities. Why is this? Describe each woman s role in her family life, and what sacrifices they made for their family. Do you think Shelley was purposefully writing a sexist novel, or was she trying to make a statement? If she was trying to make a statement, what
was it? Find at least 2 quotes from the novel to use as evidence to support your opinion (one for each woman). 2. Mary Shelley grew up in a time period when British slavery was being abolished. In fact, at one point, her and her husband refused to use sugar that came from slave plantations. Many critics have suggested that Shelley created the Creature as being a mixture of races, and that since Victor is a white male, their relationship is that of slave and master. What evidence exists of this? Provide at least 2 quotes which substantiate this claim. Do you agree or disagree with this assertion? 3. Victor s first comments about his upbringing is that I am by birth a Genovese, followed by a list of his family s impressive social status. This seems to be quite important distinction for him, yet he disallows the monster the ability to assert his belonging to any familial group. What does this say about Victor s personality? Provide 2 quotes to support your assertions.
Grammar Girl: The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students Presentation Guidelines and Assignment 2015-2016 Introduction: One of the major tasks before us in Honors Sophomore English involves refining and enhancing your writing abilities. We will do this through continual practice of both in-class, timed writings and outside-of-class formal compositions not to mention a study of grammar, word choice, and voice. Because of the intensity of this undertaking, your writing practice will begin this summer with a study of writing principles as laid out in the text Grammar Girl Presents: The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students. Assignment: Identify the assigned chapter from the alphabetical list below which corresponds to the first letter of your last name. Last Name Chapter Pages A-D Chapter 1: Parts of Speech 3-54 E-I Chapter 2: Sentenced for Life 55-90 J-M Chapter 3: Punch Up Your Punctuation 91-156 N-R Chapter 4: Quick and Dirty Tips 157-208 S-Z Chapter 5: Your Right to Write 209-254 Once you have done this, it is teaching time: your task is to teach your chapter to the class! Read the chapter and become an expert on the concepts presented. Then, create a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the essentials of your chapter; include all major concepts, provide original examples, and cite relevant page numbers. Obviously you can t include everything, and some of the concepts are very basic this is where you are asked to use your best judgment. Consider your knowledge and that of your peers; answer the question: What do we need to understand to be better writers? Focus on the concepts that you feel are the most difficult or confusing or simply those that might need a good refresher. Your PowerPoint should include a clear identification of the rules under discussion, examples of those rules, and at least one podcast from the Grammar Girl archives. You can access podcasts at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-quickand-dirty-tips-%e2%80%93-complete-archive-of-posts-podcasts Bring your PowerPoint to school on August 4, 2015, on a flash drive. You will be put into groups with other students working on the same chapter, and you will revise and combine your PowerPoint presentations. (Yes, you will be able to present with a team you will not be the only sage on the stage! ) Your teacher will give you further instructions from there. We look forward to your presentation and the important writing knowledge you will share! Sincerely, Mrs. Bart and Mrs. Johnson Honors Sophomore English Instructors