AP English Literature and Composition Summer Reading Assignment 2012
Choose one of the following works or another novel or play of comparable literary merit that you
have not previously read or studied. (We have a number of these works in our bookroom,
and you are welcome to check out a copy of a text from your current English teacher, as
long as you return the text to the English Office in the fall.)
After reading the text of your choice, complete the handout (called a „text reduction‟)
provided.
Be prepared to write an in-class essay on this work when we return to school. The essay will
respond to the following question from the AP “Free-Response Questions”:
“And, after all, our surroundings influence our lives and characters as much as fate, destiny
or any supernatural agency.” Pauline Hopkins, Contending Forces
Choose a novel or play in which cultural, physical, or geographical surroundings shape
psychological or moral traits in a character. Then write a well-organized essay in which you
analyze how surroundings affect this character and illuminate the meaning of the work as a
whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
As you can see, texts have been suggested by teachers below. If you choose one of the texts
on this list, feel free to talk with each teacher about why they chose that text for this list!
Mr. Taylor
Our Town
Master Harold…And the Boys
Six Degrees of Separation
Life of Pi
Ms. Frank
Brave New World
Great Expectations
Native Son (Mr. Boswell, too)
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Ms. Mahoney
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
The Metamorphosis
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Mrs. Kirk
Cold Mountain
Song of Solomon
Snow Falling on Cedars
Mrs. Charles
All the Pretty Horses
Animal Dreams
Interpreter of Maladies
The Fixer
To the Lighthouse
Mr. Boswell
Atlas Shrugged
The Hunger of Memory
Mrs. Albert
Catch-22
Johnny Got His Gun
Confederacy of Dunces
Plot Summary
What happened before the text began that is important to know?
What major incidents happen at the beginning to incite conflict?
What turning points happen as the conflict rises?
How does the conflict get resolved?
Other important notes:
Draw a picture of the setting here:
Name:
Literature Movement/Historical Notes:
Taylor, Period ____
Setting – Where? When? Importance/Role?
Changes? Significance of changes?
Significance of Title:
Title and Author:
Genre:
Explanation
Drawing
Two Major Characters – Name, Role,
Importance, Desires, Conflicts?
Major Character 1
Questions? Possible Essay Questions?
Still Thinking About…
Theme/Motif
Drawing
Explanation
Symbol