Summer Reading Assignment for AP US History 1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn By Mark Twain – (available for free download from www.gutenburg.org) 2. The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw Rationale Each of these books relates to a particular period in U.S. History. Although written in 1885 Huck Finn captures not only the journey of a young man traveling down the Mississippi River but also presents a picture of society and slavery in Antebellum (pre‐Civil War) America. The Greatest Generation profiles extraordinary people who fought World War II at home and abroad and then helped change the course of the United States. Students are asked to do a number of journal entries/study guide questions based on reading The Greatest Generation. For The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn students will respond to questions about the text and will have a test on the book the first week of school. This novel is on the recommended AP reading list. The objective is to see how the United States changed (or notjchanged) over the course of a hundred plus years. For example, slavery was abolished with the passing of the Thirteenth (13) Amendment yet the Japanese Americans were relocated to internment camps for the duration of World War II. “All modern American Literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn” (from Ernest Hemingway in The Green Hills of Africa) Assignments for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 1. Read the book. 2. Answer four (4) of the following questions and be prepared for a test on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on the first Friday after school starts (August 30, 2013). a. Discuss how the feud between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons is symbolic of the Civil War. Do you agree that the novel is a “satirical treatment of the myth of romantic fiction, Southern chivalry and witless honor”? Use examples from the novel in your answer. b. Discuss the qualities Huck possesses which are necessary for survival on the frontier. Give specific examples from the novel. c. Throughout the novel, Huck is taught that “sivilized society” is right and he is wrong. As a result he believes he will “go to hell” for rescuing Jim. Write a brief analysis of the irony in Huck’s situation. d. Discuss Jim’s interactions with the Grangerford slaves, including his assessment of their abilities. What do these slaves know about the Underground Railroad and ways for runaways to elude capture? e. How do both the Grangerfords and the Sheperdsons exhibit religious hypocrisy? Explain Twain’s use of the families’ feuding as satire of Civil War mentality. f.
From the outset of the novel, Huck and Tom are monetarily rich, although Huck is unable to use his money because of Pap. During the escape and adventure with Jim, he encounters people of every socio‐economic level. Discuss the following questions in a short essay—do not just answer the questions. How does Huck come to view wealth? How does Jim define wealth? How have money and the pursuit of wealth driven Huck’s story along the Mississippi? Discuss the characters and events that are shaped by economics. What does their journey teach them about valuing themselves and others? What is a man worth, finally, to Huck, to Jim and to the 19th century world Assignment for The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw 1. Read the book. 2. Answer all of the following questions in complete sentences. a. After reading the introductory chapter Generations, what understanding did you gain of Tom Brokaw’s purpose in writing this book? b. In the Van Gorder account, Brokaw says what the legacy of the World War II generation is. What is it? c. Explain why the construction of roads was a vital element in the social and economic expansion of post war America. (James and Dorothy Dowling) d. Caulfield thinks Americans have been victimized by affluence. What does he mean? Also, respond to the changes Caulfield mentions in how he treated kids as principal as opposed to how educators must treat children today. (John “Lefty” Caulfield) e. None of the children in the Briscoe family kept their paychecks. Where did the money go? (Charles Briscoe) f. What contradictions did Leonard “Bud” Lomell see in the film Saving Private Ryan? g. Ultimately, how did World War II elevate the place of women in American society? (Colonel Mary Hallaren and General Jeanne Holm) h. Describe the indignities Johnnie Holmes and other black soldiers endured. i. Describe how the living conditions in America have changed since World War II as related in Luis Armijo’s story. j. Explain what Executive Order 9066 is and the number of people it affected. (Nao Takasugi and Norman Mineta) k. Respond to Rooney’s comment that the only vets who deserve special treatment are those who were disabled or seriously wounded. (Andy Rooney) l. After reading the accounts of famous Americans who acquired their ideals and the foundation for their lives in World War II, select one account in particular and explain why it made an impact on you. (Answer in a complete paragraph.)