AP ENGLISH
SUMMER READING 2013
1984 – George Orwell
War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength
WINSTON SMITH IS A LOW-RANKING MEMBER OF the ruling Party in London, in the nation of Oceania.
Everywhere Winston goes, even his own home, the Party watches him through telescreens;
everywhere he looks he sees the face of the Party’s seemingly omniscient leader, a figure known
only as Big Brother. The Party controls everything in Oceania, even the people’s history and
language. Currently, the Party is forcing the implementation of an invented language called
Newspeak, which attempts to prevent political rebellion by eliminating all words related to it.
Even thinking rebellious thoughts is illegal. Such thoughtcrime is, in fact, the worst of all crimes.
The Scarlet Letter – Nathanial Hawthorne
Set in Colonial Boston in the mid-1600s, The Scarlet Letter tells the story of Hester Prynne, who
has committed adultery and must wear a scarlet "A" publicly as punishment. When her
husband, whom she believed to be dead, suddenly reappears, he determines to discover the
identity of the father of Hester's child, although Hester faithfully refuses to reveal his identity.
Through the use of rich symbolism and supernatural events, Hawthorne shows the destructive
effects of guilt and revenge.
 Read each text thoroughly.
 Upon return, you will take an objective test on 1984; be sure to focus on plot events, characters,
themes, motifs, symbols etc. and use ‘questions to consider’ as a guide.
 You will write an in-class AP-style timed essay on The Scarlet Letter. Use the template provided
to better prepare yourself for both assessments (this will also prove to be an invaluable resource
in May when it comes time for the AP test!).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Questions to consider… (1984)
1. Describe the role that O'Brien plays in Winston's life. Why do you think that initially, Winston is
drawn to O'Brien? Why does he implicitly trust him, despite the enormous dangers involved?
2. What role does contradiction serve within the framework of Doublethink? How does
Doublethink satisfy the needs of The Party?
3. Discuss the significance and nature of Winston's dreams. Deconstruct the dream wherein
O'Brien claims that they "shall meet in a place where there is no darkness", and the dream in
which Winston's mother and sister disappear. What are the underpinnings of these dreams?
What deeper meanings do they hold? Why do you think the author devotes as much time as he
does to Winston's dreams?
4. Discuss Winston as a heroic figure. What qualities does he posses that could define him as one?
5. How would you describe the author's tone in 1984? Does it add to or detract from the
character's discourse?
Tips for The Scarlet Letter prompt:
Tackling the Open-Ended Question
o
Prompt usually starts with a quotation or a broad statement about some aspect of literature. It
often relates to the portrayal of character but may also refer to an element of plot or to a
theme.
o Your task: Write an essay on a novel or play to which the general statement applies. Not every
novel or play is an appropriate choice for every question, but the statement will no doubt be
broad enough to include a great many of the works you have read and studied.
o The test always lists twenty or more titles from which to choose. You may pick your own,
provided it is a novel or play “of similar quality” or “comparable literary merit”.
o Be sure you are very familiar with the work that you choose:
o Know the plot intimately and be able to describe all the major and many of the minor
events
o Know the names and traits of the chief characters
o Know the setting, major themes, and the author’s narrative techniques
Topics often featured
- A character opposed to or alienated from society
- A character investigates a mystery
- An ending with spiritual reassessment or mortal reconciliation
- Suspenseful mental or psychological events
- A significant social event
- A character faces a dilemma created by competing forces
- A character harboring an important secret
-The effect of a minor or absent character on the protagonist
- A victim of prejudice
- A character overcoming odds to succeed
- A rebel at odds with society