English III Honors Summer Reading Guide – A Gathering of Old Men
Student Name: ____________________________________________________
You will read the assigned text and complete the guide for typed submission upon return to school for the 2017-18 school year. 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 your assigned English Teacher.
Direct Characterization: When an example within the text gives you a clear understanding of a character
Indirect Characterization: When an example within the text implies an understanding of a character
Character
Name
Character Traits
Textual Evidence
Connection to Modern Day
Traits should represent
the character’s
personality as seen
throughout the novel
directly and indirectly.
Support each trait with evidence from the text (direct
quote including page number.)
Identify the name of a character in film, television or
literature that can be described using the same
character traits. You must explain your choice.
Candy
a.
a.
Name:
b.
b.
a.
a.
b.
b.
a.
a.
b.
b.
a.
a.
Mathu
Lou Dimes
Mapes
Explanation:
Name:
Explanation:
Name:
Explanation:
Name:
Reverend
Jameson
Mat
Gil
Luke Will
Charlie
b.
b.
a.
a.
b.
b.
a.
a.
b.
b.
a.
a.
b.
b.
a.
a.
Name:
b.
b.
Explanation:
a.
a.
Name:
b.
b.
Explanation:
Explanation:
Name:
Explanation:
Name:
Explanation:
Name:
Explanation:
Vocabulary in Context – Define and give the part of speech for each of the following words. These words are based on
regional usage (colloquial), which means the dictionary definition might not be accurate to its usage in the text. Use
CONTEXT (the word’s connection to surrounding words) to determine the meaning.
Vocabulary Word + Chapter + Part of
Word in Context (passage from text)
Definition of Word Based on Context
Speech
“Candy was standing in the yard close to the
Porch or area connecting front door of house
Garry (1) (Noun)
steps when I came out on the garry.” (p. 4)
Parish (3)
Sackalay (4)
Mulatto (5)
Coax (6)
Pat (7)
Coagulated (8)
Militant (9)
Bootlicker (9)
Avocation (10)
Leisurely (11)
Bayou (12)
Moody (13)
and front yard
Static (14)
Quintessence (15)
Lynching (16)
Scoiling (17)
Sniveling (18)
Presided (19)
Chapter Summaries: Write a brief summary of each chapter including major plot details, instances of literary devices used
and the appearance of new characters both minor and major.
1. George Eliot, Jr aka Snookum
2. Janice Robinson aka Janey
3. Myrtle Bouchard aka Miss Merle
4. Robert Louis Stevenson Banks aka
Chimley
5. Matthew Lincoln Brown aka Mat
6. Grant Bello aka Cherry
7. Cyril Robillard aka Clatoo
8. Louis Alfred Dimoulin aka Lou Dimes
9. Joseph Seaberry aka Rufe
10. Thomas Vincent Sullivan aka Sully
or T.V.
11. Lou Dimes
12. Sully
13. Jaques Thibeaux aka Tee Jack
14. Albert Jackson aka Rooster
15. Lou Dimes
16. Sidney Brooks aka Coot
17. Snookum
18. Horace Thompson aka Sharp
19. Antoine Christophe aka Dirty Red
20. Lou Dimes
Written Reponse: Answer the following question with a typed 1-page response using examples from other texts you’ve
read and/or current events.
Prompt: Does A Gathering of Old Men represent a turning-point on the issue of race in America? How do events like the
Jena Six or Trayvon Martin or Freddie Gray provide context for the novel?