WBHS Required Summer Reading – English 12 AP / Dual Enrollment
Biblical & Classical Allusions Overview:
Allusions based on the Bible and mythology add depth of meaning to poems, essays, and stories. When you miss
the allusion, you sometimes miss the point and almost always miss the joke. Understanding allusions lets you
into a kind of “secret club” where the subtleties and literary undercurrents enrich both your comprehension and
enjoyment. Truly!
Part I – The Bible The online version: http://etext.virginia.edu/kjv.browse.html
The Kings James Bible (1611) – The reason for the recommendation of the King James version is that this is the
language of Shakespeare. Acquaintance with the language here will facilitate the reading of Shakespeare later in
the course, as well as provide a more poetic read.
How to read the numbers: the first number in the sequence is the chapter; the second is the verse. For example,
in reading #1, you begin with the first chapter of Genesis, first verse, and you read through the third chapter,
twenty-fourth verse.
Read the following Old and New Testament selections. For each of the numbered selections below, construct a
reading log to hand in no later than the second day of class in August. The log should contain a brief summary of
the reading and a second paragraph of commentary on themes or archetypes that resonate in later literature or
simply a personal response. Each day late will result in a 10% penalty.
Old Testament
1. Genesis
2.
-3.
-4.
-5.
-6. Job
7. Ecclesiastes
8. Psalms
9. Jonah
10.Isaiah
New Testament
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
1:1 – 3:24
The Creation and Fall
4: 1-15
The First Murder
6:5 – 9:17
The Flood
11: 1-9
The Origin of Language
37:2 – 46:7
The Story of Joseph
Chapters 1-14, 29-31, 38-42
1: 2-18; 2: 1-24; 3; 9: 2-12; 12: 1-9
8, 19, 23, 104, 37
All
52:13 – 53:12
Luke
Matthew
Luke
Matthew
Matthew
Matthew
2: 1-52
5: 1-48
15: 1-32
26: 14-75
27: 1-66
28: 1-20
The Birth and Youth of Jesus
The Sermon on the Mount
Parables of Jesus
The Betrayal of Jesus
The Trials and Crucifixion of Jesus
The Resurrection
Part II – Greek Mythology and Arthurian Legends
Assignment: Research each story listed below (Mythological). For each allusion, create a reading log that will
allow you to quickly refresh your memory. Make sure you are using reliable sources. Document those
sources. The log should contain the following information:
 WHO is involved? (Give yourself enough context that you can place them later on. Often a name is not
adequate. Be smart, not lazy!)
 WHAT is the basic plot?
 Does the story EXPLAIN some aspect of the human condition, EXALT/DISPARAGE some behavior or
trait, or ANSWER a common human question/concern? What’s the point?
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 Other information you deem noteworthy, including perhaps where you have seen it referenced already.
(Obviously this component will not always be included in your entries)
EX: Biblical – The Flood
 Who: God, Noah & Family
 Plot: The world had gotten full of evil and God decided to flood it and kill everyone off. He told Noah to build an ark
and sent two of each animal to him. When the 40 day/40 night rain started, God told Noah and his family to take all
the animals into the ark, seal it and wait. He did. Eventually the water receded and Noah sent a dove out 3x to see if
land was back. The 1st time, nothing happened except the dove returned; second time the dove brought back an olive
branch, and the 3rd time it didn’t return so they knew it was OK to open the ark. God sent a rainbow as a promise
that he would never again destroy the earth by flood. Noah and his family repopulated the planet eventually.
 Point: Story exalts obedience and disparages evil – shows that even God has a limit to his generosity and
forgiveness. Answers some geological oddities like seashells in mountains.
 Other: symbol of a dove with olive branch for peace comes from here, as does the rainbow as a symbol of unity and
calm after a storm and the idea that the 3rd time is the charm.
Make this a usable document by clearly labeling each entry and organizing the information for ease of access.
You may use bullet form, paragraph form, or chart form. The format should be one that works for you. Finally,
leave space to add new information as it comes along, and space for new entries as well. You must type these, as
they will be digitally dropped to me with plagiarism checks in place. The log is due the first week of class. Please
make sure to mark these entries clearly.
Common Arthurian Allusions
1.
Avalon
8.
Merlin
2.
Camelot
9.
Lady of the Lake
3.
Excalibur
10. Percival
4.
The Sword in the Stone (NOT the cartoon)
11. Uther and Igraine and Arthur’s birth
5.
The Holy Grail (NOT Monty Python)
12. Arthur, Guenevere, and Lancelot
6.
Mordred
13. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
7.
Morgan le Fay
Classical/Mythological Allusions
1. Pandora’s Box
10.
The Creation of the World and Mankind
2. Echo and Narcissus
11.
King Midas and the Golden Touch
3. The Birth of Zeus and the Defeat of Cronus
12.
Apollo and the Python
4. The Labors of Hercules
13.
The Nine Muses
5. Pyramus and Thisbe
14.
Hera Gives Birth to Typhaon
6. The Judgment of Paris
15.
Athena and Poseidon Vie for Athens
7. Aphrodite and Adonis
16.
Pygmalion and Galatea
8. Atlanta the Athlete of Greece
17.
Faithful Penelope
9. Clytemnestra’s Revenge on Agamemnon
18.
Hippolyta and the Girdle
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Part III – Shakespeare
In addition to the biblical passages and basic mythological research, all students enrolled in AP/
Dual Enrollment English 12 MUST read Othello by William Shakespeare (Online at
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/). Students will be given an in-class assessment during
the first week of school that consists of ten discussion questions. To guide your reading of the play,
I strongly suggest that you consult the followingstudy guide:
http://absoluteshakespeare.com/guides/othello/othello.htm .
Also, if you choose to purchase your own copy of Othello, I personally recommend the
Barnes & Noble version, as it has a thorough explanation for the times, terms, and understanding
of the Elizabethan language used.
I also strongly encourage you to take notes on your reading: characters, motives, motifs,
themes, etc. You will be allowed to use these to assist you on your assessment. Furthermore,
we will revisit the play later in the year; possession of these notes will help you tremendously
with our class activities.
Extra Credit:
No comprehensive journal on frequently used allusions would be complete without entries on other
globally recognized deities, religions, and seats of power. To obtain extra credit on your allusion
journals, complete the same format of journals you used on Part II with the following topics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Tutankhamen
Isis (Egyptian)
Cleopatra
Valley of the Kings
Sphinx
Asgard
Ragnarok
Why Odin is one-eyed
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Valhalla
Valkerie
Frey and Freya
Panglossian
Falstaffian
Don Quixote
The Stratagem of the Empty City
Forbidden City
Please let me know if you have any questions: [email protected]
Happy Reading! 
N.B. I have borrowed heavily from a summer reading list compiled by John Kiser, Ph.D., Consultant, College Board, and Instructor,
AP Summer Institutes, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and with permission from Ms. Harry Mills, Cave Spring High School.
Used and adapted with permission from Dr. Kiser and Ms. Mills.
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PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO MRS. NICHOLS NO LATER THAN
MAY 26, 2017.
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition / Dual Enrollment English 12
Summer Reading 2017
Student’s name (printed)
_____________________________________
Student’s signature
_____________________________________
Parent’s / guardian’s name (printed) _____________________________________
Parent’s / guardian’s signature
_______________________________________
11th Grade English Teacher ___________________________________________
Our signatures indicate the following:
We have received the AP English 12 Literature and Composition / Dual Enrollment summer
reading list and assignment.
We understand that this is to be the student’s work only and that no outside collaboration
is permitted. ALL outside sources (journal entries ONLY) will be thoroughly documented. We
further understand that to collaborate or failure to document sources will be considered
plagiarism.
We understand that any questions about the reading or the assignment can be directed to
Mrs. Nichols at [email protected].
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