AP Literature Summer Assignment
Your AP Lit Assignment consists of two parts. The work is worth 200 points and should be typed font
Times New Roman size 12 or Calibri size 11; single-spaced (Indent and use paragraphs! Block
paragraphs will receive a zero grade and will not be read). Assignments are due no later than the first
day of the school year (August 2016), NOT the first day of class. If you are not present, it must be
emailed: [email protected]. To do otherwise or submit on any other day will result
in a zero grade; no exceptions!
*All papers must be submitted to www.turnitin.com and have the entire originality report stapled to the
front of your work or your grade will default to a 0%. [Class ID: 8080779 ; Password: donoso]
PART ONE Literary Analysis
Literary Terms
You will participate in weekly quizzes on Lit Terms . Choose and apply a minimum of ten of these terms to
your free choice novel/ play.( See part 2 below) For example, in the novel __, ___ is the antihero since he does
not display the classical characteristics of courage when ___. If your answers do not resemble the one provided
above, your work will not be graded and will receive a zero grade.
Archetypes
Review the Jungian archetypes of literary criticism at http://www.woodsidehs.org/uploadedFiles/file_1937.pdf
only pages 2, 3, and 4: situational, character, and symbol archetypes. Identify, explain, and apply the
appropriate archetypes to your free choice novel of part 2. [minimum of 5]
Allusions
Events in classical literature often allude to biblical, mythological, or significant historical events. You will
participate in weekly quizzes on allusion-vol2.pdf and Allusions 1-2 . Knowledge of these events and references
bring added meaning and understanding in analyzing literature AP style. Choose a minimum of ten of these
allusions and provide specific examples from your novel/ play of part 2. For example, __ saw the “writing on
the wall” when he____; __ has a Pyrrhic victory when ______. If your answers do not resemble the one
provided above, your work will not be graded and will receive a zero grade.
Historical Background
Please supply thorough answers for the following .You will need to apply this knowledge in writing your
analytical essays in class. Answer in your own words. Do NOT copy /paste or you will receive a zero grade.
1. Explain the who, when, what, where, & why of World War I. What were the effects of poisonous gas
attacks? Describe the change in effectiveness of the gas masks of WW I.
2. Explain the who, when, what, where, & why of World War II. In relation to WW II define the terms
blitzkrieg, bomb shelter, Holocaust, genocide, Iron Curtain, kamikaze.
3. Explain the what, when, and why of the Vietnam War. Why was this war different from any other American
war? What influence did the modern technology, esp. the reporting of the war, have on the American public’s
sentiment? What influence did it have on literature and music? Give specific examples.
4. Explain the what, when, and why of the Ivory Trade in the Congo in the 1800’s.. Who was Leopold II of
Belgium? What was so outrageous about his declarations?
5. Explain the what and when of the Victorian period in England. How were women, children, the mentally ill,
and poor people treated? What was debtor’s prison? What was the financial condition of most of the citizens?
6. Explain the who, what, when, and why of the chimneysweepers in the 1800’s in England. How did it end?
7. Examine the words to the British anthem Rule Britannica. What is the tone of this poem/song? What is the
implied message?
8. What is the Great American Dream? What is the role of business and sales in respect to this dream?
9. Research the Jewish deportation from England in the 12th century. Read about the occupational guilds
formed in the Middle Ages and the practice of money lending. How did this influence the deportation? How did
this influence Shakespeare?
10. Why have the Irish Catholics and Protestants been fighting in Northern Ireland for centuries? What was the
Potato Famine & what effect did it have?
11. Explain the what, when, and why of the French Revolution. How did it end?
12. Explain the what, when, and why of Martin Luther. What were his declarations and what effect did his
declarations have on the religious and political climate in England?
13. What is significant about the origin of jazz music? Explain the what, when, and why of the Harlem
Renaissance and clarify its effect on literature and poetry. Use specific examples.
14. Explain the what, when, and why of blues music and clarify its effect on literature and poetry. Use specific
examples.
PART TWO
The following novels may be checked out from me in room 2405, Mrs. Celestino in room 2410, or checked out
from your public library, found online, or found for purchase at your local bookstore.
Reading
Choose from the following:
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Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
Tess, Thomas Hardy
Beloved, Toni Morrison
Hamlet, William Shakespeare
Lord of the Flies, William Golding
Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
Writing
Answer the nine major works questions below THOROUGHLY IN YOUR OWN WORDS. (No copy and
paste)
1. Provide historical information about the period of publication of the novel, especially events, trends, etc that
relate to the novel/play.
2. Provide biographical information about the author that would give insight to the understanding of the
meaning of the novel.
3. Give a BRIEF summary of the plot of the novel/play. (3-5 sentences maximum)
4. Identify at LEAST three major symbols in the novel AND explain their significance.
5. Write at LEAST three theme statements for the novel/play and provide an example for each from the text.
6. Write three paragraphs about each major character.
a. Describe the physical characteristics and personality.
b. Define the character’s main dreams and aspirations.
c. Identify the character’s major weaknesses and flaws.
7. Identify three major quotes from the novel and explain their connection to the theme (s) or symbol(s).
8. Explain the significance of the opening scene of the novel/play, especially as it relates to the meaning of the
work, the theme(s), and symbol(s).
9. Explain the significance of the closing scene of the novel, especially as it relates to the meaning of the work,
theme(s) and symbol(s).