AP Literature and Composition
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Mrs. Oualline
2012-13
Introduction
Welcome to AP Literature and Composition. This is a college-level course with college-level
expectations. At the end of the next school year, you will take the AP Literature exam to earn
college credits. The AP Program is rigorous and demands your dedication and determination.
You will be challenged to move beyond the basics of high school English and embrace a higher
level of reading, writing, and critical thinking. You will be required to refine your study
practices, manage your time effectively, and work responsibly.
What is AP Literature and Composition?
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program provides an opportunity for high school students to
pursue and receive credit for college-level course work completed at the secondary school level.
The AP Program, sponsored by the College Board, is based on the premise that college-level
material can be taught successfully to able and well-prepared high school students. Like other
College Board programs, the AP Program is worldwide in scope; its policies are determined by
representatives of College Board member institutions and agencies throughout the
country…and are implemented by the College Board. The examinations are open to any
candidate who wishes to participate. The AP exams are required of any student who
participates in an AP class as of 2006-2007.
“The AP English Literature and Composition course is designed to engage students in the
careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of
selected texts, students can deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to
provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students should consider a
work's structure, style, and themes, as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of
figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone.” (The College Board, 2010)
Students entering AP English are already skilled in basic composition, and are proficient in
their use of standard English grammar and mechanics. Expected here is refinement of these
skills to develop sophistication and stylistic maturity in writing. The course will emphasize
critical reading of various prose styles and require numerous essays demonstrating students’
skill in analyzing the standard rhetorical modes. Thoughtful reading will be reflected in AP test
practices-both objective and open-ended questions, journals, daily assignments, class
discussions and an individual oral presentation based on independent reading. Additionally, in
accordance with Texas standards, the course will follow a skeletal chronological core of the
canon of British literature.
Summer Assignment
In order to keep minds active and prepare for more intense reading, AP English students will be required
to read one literary piece before the first day of school. Students will also be asked to watch a series of
movies that illustrate various literary elements.
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Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Episodes I through VI of Star Wars
Complete Reader’s Reference Cards for at least 8 pieces of Literature you have read.
NOTE: If you have not read How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster,
you need to read this selection BEFORE you read Jane Eyre. Even if you have read
Professor, you may still want to review the information as a refresher.
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Enroll in AP Literature on turnitin.com:
Class ID:
5135286
Enrollment Password: APLit12
In addition to READING Jane Eyre and VIEWING Star Wars, you will complete the following
assignments:
Jane Eyre
This reading selection should be read COVER-TO-COVER. Cliff’s Notes, Internet notes, and/or movies
will not suffice. You will be required to produce an “intelligent” dialectical journal for each book. NOTE:
We will be using this book for several writing assignments during the first six weeks. The assignments
for these novels are:
 Complete a Dialectical Journal
 Complete a Reader’s Reference Card for the novel (download the template from my website).
 Complete the Literary Analysis practice passages (attached).
 Be prepared for an exam on the first day of school.
Star Wars
You will watch Star Wars Episode I-VI in order. As you watch, you will consider various literary
elements that exist in the films and write a 1000-word essay that explores these elements:
 Archetypes
 Symbolism
 Themes
 Classic Struggles
Reader’s Reference Cards
You will create a Reader’s Reference Card for at least 8 literary pieces that you have read in high school.
These cards will help you study for the AP Lit exam and we will make one card for every piece we read
throughout the year. Here are some suggestions:
Romeo and Juliet
Animal Farm
All Quiet on the Western Front
The Odyssey
To Kill a Mockingbird
Julius Caesar
Anthem
Death of a Salesman
Invisible Man
The Crucible
The Great Gatsby
Othello
Archetypes in Literature
Definition of Archetype:
“A universally recognizable element . . . that recurs across all literature and life (Latrobe 13).
Psychologist Carl Jung called these elements a kind of “collective unconscious” of the human
race, prototypes rather than something gained from experience. The word is derived from the
Greek: arche, original, and typos, form or model; thus, original model (Latrobe 13).
An archetype is the first real example or prototype of something (as the Model T is the
prototype of the modern automobile). In this sense an archetype can be considered the ideal
model, the supreme type or the perfect image of something (Brunel 111-112, 114).
A key to understanding folk literature is to understand archetypes. “An archetype is to the
psyche what an instinct is to the body. . . . . Archetypes are the psychic instincts of the human
species.” (Edinger as quoted in Knapp 10). Archetypes are universal in human beings.
Archetypes result in a deep emotional response for readers.
“Archetypes are repeated patterns that recur in the literature of every age” (Sloan 48).
Key Terms:
Multivalent – many values
Dualistic – having both positive and negative aspects or values
Examples of Archetypal Images
Male Human Images:
Hero (think of the classic hero journey & qualities of hero)
 “The main character leaves his or her community to go on an adventure, performing deeds
that bring honor to the community” (Herz and Gallo 121).
Knight
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There are whole books that explore the archetypal knight and chivalry
The Wise Old Man/Mentor/Guru
 Serves as a guide for the hero.
 Protects or helps main character when he or she faces challenges
Villain
Evil Figure
 The Devil
 Serpent
The Giant/Monster/Ogre
Female Human Images:
The Damsel
 Often found “in distress”
 The Damsel in Distress may be the oldest female archetype in all of popular literature and
the movies. She is always beautiful, vulnerable, and in need of rescue, specifically by a
Knight and, once rescued, she is taken care of in lavish style.
 When disappointed, a Damsel must go through a process of empowerment and learn to
take care of herself in the world.
Mother Figure
 POSITIVE: Fairy Godmother (surrogate mother)—comforts and directs child, especially
when he or she is confused and needs guidance. Represents powers that can be called on for
help when it is needed. Helps young person to solve own problems (Knapp 71).
 POSITIVE: Earth Mother
 NEGATIVE: Stepmother
Wise Old Woman
 Has some of the same qualities as the wise old man
Enchantress/Temptress
Wicked Witch
The Soul Mate (the Sophia Figure)
Other Character Images (Both Genders):
The Innocent
 Child/Youth
 Inexperienced adult
The Underdog
The Double
 Split personality—the other side of an individual
Shape Shifters
Helping Animals/Creatures
The Sacrificial Redeemer
 “The protagonist is willing to die for his or her beliefs; the main character maintains a strong
sense of morality” (Herz and Gallo 123).
The Scapegoat/Sacrificial Victim
The Trickster
Actions/Events:
Journey--“The protagonist takes a journey, usually physical but sometimes emotional, during which he
or she learns something about himself or herself or finds meaning in his or her life as well as acceptance
in a community” (Herz and Gallo 112).
 Linear
 Circular
 Quests
*Quest for material wealth
*Quest for security, as a secure place to live
*Quest for kin
*Quest for global good, such as when a kingdom is threatened
*Quest for self, for self-identity or self-assurance
Rites of Initiation
Parental Conflict and Relationships
 “The protagonist deals with parental conflict by rejecting or bonding with parents” (Herz
and Gallo 117).
Sleep
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Crucial for physical and/or psychological healing. During dreams, person can grow. Person
can fantasize freely in sleep. A transitional and beneficial period. In dream sphere can
descend to the sphere of the Great Mother. Person awakens with a greater understanding of
human nature (Knapp 88).
The Test or Trial
 “In the transition from one stage of life to another, the main character experiences a rite of
passage through growth and change; he or she experiences a transformation” (Herz and
Gallo 115).
Birth/Death and Rebirth
 “Through pain and suffering the character overcomes feelings of despair, and through a
process of self-realization is reborn” (Herz and Gallo 110).
The Fall: Expulsion from Eden
 “The main character is expelled because of an unacceptable action on his or her part” (Herz
and Gallo 111).
Images from Nature
Water
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The unconscious
Culturally, it may symbolize rebirth (baptism)
Dualistic because it can symbolize both life (need it) and death (too much can kill)
The River
 Change. Also, crossing river may symbolize new territory
 Rivers can be boundaries or borders & on the other side is something new or different
 May represent human life or time passing as we follow the river from its source to its mouth
The Sea
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Represents the unknown
Vast, alien, dangerous, chaos
Waves may symbolize measures of time and represent eternity or infinity
Rain
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Fountain
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Rebirth, cleansing
Stands for purification; the sprinkling of water (baptism) washes away sin. Water of fountain
gives new life (Knapp 32).
Sun
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Represents consciousness. Also, the sun serves as a constant.
In our culture, the sun is also representative of enlightenment. The sun is dualistic because
we need the sun for life, but too much sunlight (draught) can cause death.
Rising Sun, Sun at Noon, Setting Sun (represents the stages of man)
Associated colors: gold and yellow
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Feminine (because of the moon cycle and the connection to a female’s menstruation cycle)
Also associated with night and darkness.
Associated colors: Silver and Green
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Represents life and knowledge
Also represents change because a tree is always changing (budding, growing, losing its
leaves, lying dormant, etc.)
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Unconscious, unknown, disorder, chaos
Think about children’s literature. All of the “bad stuff” happens in the forest.
Habitat of the Great Mother (Mother Nature), the lunar force. Fertility. The vegetation and
animals flourish in this “green world” because of the sustaining power of the Great Mother.
Symbolically the primitive levels of the feminine psyche, protective and sheltering. Those
who enter often lose their direction or rational outlook and thus tap into their collective
unconscious. This unregulated space is opposite of the cultivated gardens, which are
carefully planned and are restricted to certain vegetation.
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Cultivated and carefully planned. Restricted to certain vegetation.
Represents order, civilization, the opposite of chaos.
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Because the desert is closely associated with heat (which comes from the sun), the desert can
represent enlightenment.
Consider the figures who wandered the desert (Ghandi, Moses, Jesus, etc.)
There is an idea that monotheism (belief in one god) grew up in the desert while polytheism
(belief in many gods) grew up on the river banks; culturally this is very true.
Moon
Tree
Forest
Garden
Desert
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Caves and tunnels
 Deep down where character delves into self
 Place that character goes when “invisible” or inactive
 At the extreme may signify death
Mountains and peaks
 Highest peak is place to “see” far
 Place to gain great insight
Islands
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Microcosms or small worlds unto themselves
Represent isolation or get-a-ways
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Stability
The wise man built his house upon the rock…
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Instability
The foolish man built his house upon the sand…
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Life and sacrifice
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Transcendence and freedom.
However, flocks of birds may carry implications of evil or impending doom.
Stone
Sand
Blood
Birds
Multiplicity is ever a sign of the negative. (Consider swarms of insects, plagues, etc.)
Symbolism
Colors
Red
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Blood and sacrifice, but also passion and love
Red is a fascinating color because it can be associated with evil (the Devil is always depicted
in red), good (Santa Claus wears red, too), and passion (Valentine’s Day)
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Significance of the color varies by culture. In our culture, blue typifies purity (Virgin Mary is
always depicted wearing blue), truth, and tranquility
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Darkness, ignorance, chaos
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Represents purity in our culture; however, in some Asian cultures, the bride dresses in red or
black
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Youth, vigor, nature, immaturity
Blue
Black
White
Green
Numbers
One
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Two
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Three
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Four
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Five
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Six
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Unity
The many dualities of everything (you, me, male/female, left/right, yin/yang, etc.)
The trinity (Western cultures); strength
The order of the universe
Examples: The four elements (earth, air, water, fire); four points of the compass, four phases of
the moon, four double truths in Buddhism.
Associated with man
The five appendages (legs, arms, head); the five senses
The number six is BOTH the sum of 1+2+3 and the product of 1x2x3; therefore, in mathematics,
the number six is considered “perfect.” Also, the perfection of 6 shows up in the six days of
creation; the structure of the creation story has the 1-2-3 theme (1-light, 2-sun and moon, 3
through 6-everything else)
Seven
 A spiritual number; represents completion (the seventh day in the creation story, seven days in a
week, seven ages of man)
 Seven is considered lucky because it is a prime number that cannot be obtained by multiplying
smaller numbers
Eight
 Considered an auspicious number because the square of any odd number less one is a multiple of
eight (e.g., the square of 3 is 9…9 minus 1 equals 8).
 In Buddhism, it is lucky because of the eight petals of the lotus flower.
Nine
 Meanings are very cultural
 Examples: cloud 9, a stitch in time saves 9, the River Styx has 9 twists, a cat has 9 lives
Ten
 The Pythagorean symbol of perfection or completeness (10 fingers, 10 toes, counting on fingers
and toes is probably the reason why we have the decimal system)
Thirteen
 Unlucky (mostly superstitious, cultural)
 The 13th Apostle (Judas), the Knights Templar (killed on Friday, October 13 th), Apollo 13 blew up
on a Friday the 13th, most hotels do not have a 13th floor, etc.
Shapes
Circle (sphere) – eternity, completion
Mandala (a circle within a square) – usually shows up in stained glass; represents man’s struggle for
completeness
Square – equality
Yin-Yang – Yin is the dark side (passive, feminine, cold, negative); Yang is the light side (light, active,
male, warm, positive). There are two sides to everything (happy/sad, cold/hot, etc.). Yin/Yang represents
the two side, the opposites that make the whole; they can never exist without each other (that’s why you
have the white dot in the black side and the black dot in the white side)
*Return this letter by May 21, 2012*
May 18, 2012
Dear AP Student:
Next year, your child will be transitioning from AP Language and Composition to AP
Literature and Composition. AP Literature and Composition is an intensive, college-level
reading and writing course. The goal of this course is to produce mastery of expository,
analytical, narrative, and argumentative writing styles. Your child will also be exposed to a
variety of classic literature. This accelerated track is rigorous, demanding, and requires the
dedication of the student. While I appreciate the many demands of high school (including
extracurricular activities), I expect the students in my AP classes to be fully committed to the
curriculum. Please take the time to review the information I have provided in this packet. This
will help avoid any confusion about the purpose of the class and the expectations of your child.
Please sign below to verify that you have read through the information in this packet and letter
with your child and that you understand the expectations of the AP English Program.
Best Regards,
V. Beth Oualline
[email protected]
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