Summer Reading Guide: ​
A Lesson Before Dying
Name:_________________________________ Since you will not know when you are taking the class until you get your schedule in August, plan as if you were taking the class in the fall. You can take the test in the fall, even if you have the class in the spring. ​
As you read, we suggest that you fill in this guide by hand.​
It is ​
required​
that you then TYPE it and turn it in to turnitin.com by the due date. You can download the electronic version to type in from the MTHS website. Part I: Vocabulary For each of the following words, fill out the accompanying table. Use a dictionary (or an online dictionary) to find the part of speech (noun, adjective, verb, etc.) and the ​
best​
definition for the word as used in the text (because you will find multiple definitions for each word). Use a thesaurus (or an online thesaurus) to find a synonym and antonym for each word. Use your copy of ​
A Lesson Before Dying​
​
to find the sentence where the word is used; the page number where the word can be found is provided. Finally, demonstrate your understanding of the word by writing your ​
own​
sentence using the word. EXAMPLE: Ex: tarpaulin­ pg. 236 Part of Speech: ​
noun Synonym: ​
canvas Antonym: ​
none Complete Definition: ​
a protective covering of canvas or other material waterproofed with tar, paint, or wax. Sentence from ​
A Lesson Before Dying: ​
The tarpaulin had been rolled back, and two men sat at the tail end of the truck, talking and smoking cigarettes (236). Write your own example sentence: ​
We had to use ​
tarpaulin​
to cover the furniture before we painted the room. BEGIN HERE: 1. modicum­ pg. 7 Part of Speech: Synonym: Antonym: Synonym: Antonym: Synonym: Antonym: Complete Definition: Sentence from ​
A Lesson Before Dying: Write your own example sentence: 2. illegible­ pg. 11 Part of Speech: Complete Definition: Sentence from ​
A Lesson Before Dying​
: Write your own example sentence: 3. universality­pg. 90 Part of Speech: Complete Definition: Sentence from ​
A Lesson Before Dying Write your own example sentence: 4. mortuary­pg. 91 Part of Speech: Synonym: Antonym: Synonym: Antonym: Complete Definition: Sentence from ​
A Lesson Before Dying Write your own example sentence: 5. chifforobes­ pg.175 Part of Speech: Complete Definition: Sentence from ​
A Lesson Before Dying Write your own example sentence: Part II: Character Relationships Identify whether each of the relationships listed below are positive, negative, or both. Then explain in at least TWO complete sentences how the relationship is positive or negative using specific examples from the text. Also include a quote that supports your answer. Relationship Grant and Jefferson Positive or Negative? Explain Why Quote from text with page #: Grant and Tante Lou Jefferson and Miss Emma Grant and Rev. Ambrose Quote from text with page #: Quote from text with page #: Quote from text with page #: Sheriff Guidy and African Americans Quote from text with page #: Joseph Morgan and education of African American Quote from text with page #: children Part III: Discussion Questions Answer the following questions in complete sentences using textual evidence. Page numbers are provided to help you find evidence for most of the questions’ answers. Make sure to answer ​
all parts ​
of the question. You should ALWAYS use up all of the space given. 1. For what reason does Grant not attend the trial? Quote from the text that supports your answer:
Page # of Quote: 2. In Chapter 6, why does Pichot keep Grant waiting for "nearly two and a half hours" (47)? Why does Grant wait? Quote from the text that supports your answer:
Page # of Quote: 3. ​
What were Mr. Antoine’s last words to Grant (66)? What does he mean by them? Quote from the text that supports your answer:
Page # of Quote: 4. Is Grant a hero, according to the definition he gives Jefferson in Chapter 24 [pp. 191­92]? Is Jefferson a hero? Do any of the other characters qualify as heroes according to Grant's definition? Quote from the text that supports your answer:
Page # of Quote: 5. “I want you to chip away at that myth by standing” (192). What does Grant mean by the word “standing”? Quote from the text that supports your answer:
Page # of Quote: 6. On page 218, Reverend Ambrose has a tirade about lying… “ ‘I know they done cheated themself, lied to themself—hoping that one they all love and trust can come back and help relieve the pain.’ ” To what pain Ambrose is referring? Quote from the text that supports your answer:
Page # of Quote: 7. All the characters in ​
A Lesson Before Dying ​
are motivated by a single word: "hog." Jefferson's attorney has compared him to a hog; Miss Emma wants Grant to prove that her godson is not a hog; and Jefferson at first eats the food she has sent him on his knees, because "that's how a old hog eat." How are words used both to humiliate and to redeem the characters in this novel? Quote from the text that supports your answer:
Page # of Quote: 8. What is the “lesson” before dying for Grant? Jefferson? For the southern African­American community? For the southern white community? Quote from the text that supports your answer:
Page # of Quote: