English 4AP Summer Reading Assignment
Throughout the school year, we will be examining a variety of themes in many
different genres in English literature. One theme we will be analyzing in particular is The
Transition from Innocence to Experience (also known as: the loss of innocence or the
journey). This concept originates from William Blake’s two poems “The Lamb” and
“The Tyger”.
For the first part of the summer reading assignment, I want you to read both
poems and create your own definitions of innocence and experience. Tell me what you
believe innocence and experience are and how people make the change from one to the
other. Make sure you identify which idea, innocence or experience, corresponds with
which poem, “The Lamb” or “The Tyger”.
On the AP Exam you will be required to closely examine various literary works,
so along with defining innocence and experience, I want you to discuss how the poems,
“The Lamb” and “The Tyger”, differ from one another through their structure, tone,
imagery, etc…This assignment should be at least 2 pages long, double spaced. This
assignment is a reaction to Blake’s poetry and should be written as your informal
thoughts. THIS IS NOT AN ESSAY. We will be referring to these two poems and this
theme throughout the school year, so it is important that you put forth your best effort in
analyzing this poetry.
The second step in your summer reading assignment is to read Oscar Wilde’s The
Portrait of Dorian Gray and Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. The transition from
innocence to experience is a significant theme in both of these novels. Make sure to take
detailed reading notes focusing on how the characterization and setting force a
character or characters to make this transformation. These reading notes will count
as 2 homework grades.
The third step of your summer reading assignment is to write an essay comparing
Dorian Gray’s (The Portrait of Dorian Gray) transition from innocence to experience to
Heathcliff’s (Wuthering Heights). Explain the causes of their transformations and how
they contribute to the meaning of the works as a whole. Use quotes to support your
ideas and follow MLA Format in regards to the layout of your paper and your citations.
If you need help remembering how your paper should be formatted or how to utilize
proper citations this link should help you.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
This paper should be a minimum of 6 pages long. It should not go over 8 pages.
It will be due on Monday, September 9, 2013. This is the first day you return to school.
Good luck, enjoy your summer, and come back ready to learn.
Mr. Conrad
[email protected]