AP Language Summer Reading Assignment
John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath
*Honors classes are reading two texts. Your book, however, is pretty long. You will not be required to read another
novel. If you are looking for more reading, I do recommend the books on the honors list!
The Text:
The Grapes of Wrath is John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize winning novel about the Great Depression and the massive
westward migration of farm families displaced during the dust storms of the 1930s. Any background knowledge that you
have about the Depression will aid you in your reading but is not necessary for your understanding of the novel.
A Content Warning:
The novel is full of profanities. I'm certainly not condoning the use of such words; however, Steinbeck uses them for a
purpose. He's attempting to characterize a group of impoverished people and gain the reader's sympathy toward the
hundreds of others like them throughout the west during this time. I believe the literary merits of the book far outweigh
the obscenities. If you absolutely cannot tolerate the language, call me or email me, and we can discuss an alternate book.
The Structure:
Steinbeck very clearly separates his book into two types of chapters. He has "plot" chapters that follow the Joad family
from their farm in Oklahoma to the Hoovervilles of California. He separates these plot chapters with "intercalary"
chapters that serve several different purposes. Part of your task while you are reading is to try to identify the purpose for
each intercalary chapter and the rhetorical strategies that Steinbeck uses to make these chapters work. Some intercalary
chapters do no more than give the reader background knowledge which will help him or her better understand what the
Joads are experiencing.
A Word on Cliff's Notes, Spark's Notes…
I know they exist. I know you use them. However, while this is a lengthy text, it is not difficult to understand. You don't
need these "helping tools." In actuality, I'm interested in the variety of responses that you have to the novel.
Unfortunately, tools like Spark's Notes tend to force you into one interpretation that may or may not fit your unguided,
natural responses to the literature.
The Assignment:
1. Read the book.
2. As you read REVIEW the questions below that correspond with certain chapters. Do NOT write out answers to
these questions. This will be your first assignment once we begin class.
3. If you need to, keep a reading log/summary of individual chapters. I'm not blessed with a good memory, so
reading logs are essential to me. This reading log is optional, but you may use them on the summer reading test if
you keep them. They must be hand written in your own words to use them on the test. You must write, not
type, your AP responses on the exam, so let's learn to write again.
**See the back page for “Questions Related to the Novel” and “Important Notice”
Questions Related to the Novel:
We will be answering the following questions DURING class when we start school. I’m giving them to you ahead of time
so that you know what to focus on while you are reading. Do NOT answer these fully as you will do so in class with my
guidance.
1. Chapter Two- This is the first chapter where we see conflicts in the labor market. Think about the truck driver and
his decision to give Tom a ride. What do the driver's decision and the "No Riders" sticker say about the current
relationship between "bosses" and workers?
2. Chapter Four- What are your first impressions of Jim Casy? What do you think about his religious beliefs?
3. Chapter Five- See if you can identify the extended metaphor used in chapter five. If you can, evaluate its use.
Does Steinbeck make a convincing argument? OR…Explain the contrast that Steinbeck makes between the
tractor and the farmer.
4. Chapter Seven- Salesmen are often seen as fast talkers. How does Steinbeck imprint that image in the readers
mind? (Think in terms of the language he uses and his style of writing in this chapter.)
5. Chapter Eleven- Identify Steinbeck's attitude toward the tractor and the horse. Explain how this contrast develops
the theme of this chapter.
6. Chapter Fourteen- In chapter 14, Steinbeck writes, “The danger is here, for two men are not as lonely and
perplexed as one. And from this first ‘we’ there grows a still more dangerous thing…” Try to reason through what
Steinbeck means by this statement. Find quotes in the remainder of the chapter to support your answer.
7. Chapter Sixteen-Why do you think Tom is so hard on the one-eyed man at the junkyard?
8. Chapter Nineteen- What is Steinbeck's claim or thesis in this chapter? Find one or two quotes to support/help
explain/justify your response.
9. Chapter Twenty-five- In this chapter, you finally get the rationale for Steinbeck's title. Explain where the title
comes from and whether or not you think it fits the novel thus far.
10. Chapter Twenty-six- Explain the significance of the quote, "You don' know what you're a doin."
First Major Grade:
1. Your first major grade will come from a test over the novel when you begin the semester. This test will have two
to four sentence passages from the novel where you have to identify what is happening. I will pick quotes from
the major events of the novel. If you have a good grasp on the plot, these quotes should be pretty easy to identify.
Keep a log if you wish, and you can use it on this test.
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
In order for us to start our class quickly in August, I need you to choose and purchase a copy of your first outside reading
for the course. You may choose Jeanette Walls’ The Glass Castle, Rick Bragg’s All Over But the Shoutin’ or Warren
St. John’s Outcasts United***Do NOT get the abridged childrens’ version of Outcasts United! You can order these
from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. You can borrow one from a student who had me this past year. You can check one
out of a library, but I do need you to have a copy when we enter class in August. You do NOT need to begin reading, just
have a copy when we start class.
A note about the books- Please read reviews of these books before you select one. All connect nicely with The Grapes of
Wrath. These books are taught in AP Language classes across the country and are amazing nonfiction novels. However,
these are real stories aimed at a college level/adult audience. If my memory is correct, Outcasts United has the least
profanity. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. As always, if you can’t afford one of these books, just email
me. I’ll keep it discreet and loan you one of the few copies that I have. Have a great summer!