Cascia Hall Preparatory School
May 2, 2016
World Masterpieces Ms. Kathleen Hunt Summer Reading Assignment BRIEF COURSE OVERVIEW: Much of global history has been shaped by conflict and captured through individual literary narratives and remains one of the most prolific themes in literature. In this course, we will explore how conflict affects the individual lives and histories of those who participate or experience it. Also, the World Masterpieces Literature course is designed to develop critical reading and writing skills at the collegiate level. The reading materials in this class cross different genres, mediums, and times. This course requires that the student learns how to read the texts, how to abstract or summarize them, how to ask questions about them, how to engage in discussion about the works, and how to use them in building ideas of his or her own. Students will also learn how to use research and analytical skills to locate and evaluate appropriate source material, understand rhetorical strategies, formulate an argumentative position, and correctly summarize, paraphrase, quote, and cite source materials. Students will apply grammar mechanics in composing well­written, thought­provoking essays. . New York: Little, Brown, 2012. Print. Powers, Kevin. T​he Yellow Birds​
ISBN­10: 0316219347 Summary: The Yellow Birds​
by Kevin Powers is a tale of friendship, loss and redemption. Set against the Iraq War, events beyond their control or understanding forever intertwine three soldiers' lives. Sergeant Sterling, a veteran of three tours of duty, tasks 21­year­old Private John Bartle (the narrator of the book) with guiding 18­year­old Private Daniel Murphy, also known simply as 'Murph'. Reluctant at first to take responsibility for the younger man, Bartle soon comes to think of Murph as a close friend. Their experiences training for and then fighting in the war bond them in a way that nothing else could. The novel switches back and forth in time with each chapter, beginning with a battle in Al Tafar, Iraq, then flashing back to a base in New Jersey before settling on a back and forth between events in Iraq and Bartle’s post­war life in Virginia and then in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Having promised both Sterling and Murph’s mother that he would look out for Murph, Bartle becomes more and more disillusioned as he realizes that he is unable to keep that promise. Bartle carries the guilt of his failure back home after his discharge. Confounding his guilt is the event that occurred after Murph’s death, a secret only he and Sterling share. Back home, Bartle does the best he can to drown his grief and deal with the memory of his actions by avoiding other people and drinking too much. In the end, he can’t keep running or hiding – literally or figuratively. It’s in prison where Bartle finally comes to terms with Murph’s death and also his experiences in the war. Through a conversation with Murph’s mother shortly before his release, Bartle finds a way to forgive himself, though Murph’s mother never tells him that she has forgiven him.Sterling is unable to cope with the reality or consequences of what they did but not without trying to protect the men he led and care for one last time. At the time he’s writing the story, Bartle is living in a cabin on a mountain, still solitary but beginning to heal. Page 1 of 3
Cascia Hall Preparatory School
May 2, 2016
During summer break and in preparation for our academic year beginning in Fall 2016, you are expected to read Kevin Power’s T​he Yellow Birds ​
and compose short responses that address the given questions. Your responses should address the question in a whole, considerate, and complete manner that demonstrates your understanding of the question and text. Each response should include at least one quote from the text as support and should be cited appropriately given MLA standards. Failure to turn in the assignment on the first day of class will result in a 0% for this assignment. No exceptions. THE PROMPT & DIRECTIONS:​
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For each question, you will write a 100­200 word response that uses quotes, demonstrates insight, and exhibits a deeper understanding of the text. You should make sure and provide context for the quotes and integrate them into your writing. Make sure to number your responses and to have the question and answer typed. Please follow the template that is attached. Requirements: ●
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Direct quotations to support conclusions
MLA format (7th Edition) with correct heading ( your full name, instructor’s name, class title,
and due date)
A minimum of 100 words for each response
Times New Roman, Size 12 font, 1 inch margins
Paper should be free of proofreading and grammatical errors
Assignment should be typed and printed; the paper should be organized and neat in
appearance
Questions: 1. How does Powers describe death and other tragic events? How might his descriptions startle,
surprise, or disturb you?
2. Powers often uses color in order to convey a deeper meaning. Find a meaningful example of
when Powers uses color and explain how his use of color adds to the themes found in the
book, enhances metaphors, or creates symbolism.
3. Masculinity is comprised of the traditional qualities associated with men. How does Powers
describe power and leadership in terms of masculinity?
4. How does Powers perceive such concepts as responsibility and truth? Why does he give
responsibility and truth such importance throughout the book? How does Powers perception
of responsibility and truth change throughout the course of the book?
5. How does Powers define and describe a person’s age ­ both in years and attitude ­ through
the main character, Bartle? How does war affect how Bartle views a person’s age?
Page 2 of 3
Cascia Hall Preparatory School
May 2, 2016
Your Name Ms. Kathleen Hunt World Masterpieces 18 August 2016 The Yellow Birds​
by Kevin Powers Summer Reading Assignment 1. How does Powers describe death and other tragic events? How might his descriptions
startle, surprise, or disturb you?
Your response goes here. 2. Powers often uses color in order to convey a deeper meaning. Find a meaningful example
of when Powers uses color and explain how his use of color adds to the themes found in
the book, enhances metaphors, or creates symbolism.
Your response goes here. 3. Masculinity is comprised of the traditional qualities associated with men. How does
Powers describe power and leadership in terms of masculinity?
Your response goes here. 4. How does Powers perceive such concepts as responsibility and truth? Why does he give
responsibility and truth such importance throughout the book? How does Powers
perception of responsibility and truth change throughout the course of the book?
Your response goes here. 5. How does Powers define and describe a person’s age ­ both in years and attitude ­ through the main character, Bartle? How does war affect how Bartle views a person’s
age?
Your response goes here. Page 3 of 3