Bellarmine Preparatory School
English Department
Summer Reading 2013-2014:
The Bellarmine English Department requests that during the summer months our students stay
active as readers. In light of this, we request that students read each summer. Students, upon their return
to school, will be given an exam that will allow them to express their understanding of the summer
reading. Emphasis will be on characterization, theme development, and personal insight rather than
simply on plot. Students may also be asked to identify quotations. Students may keep journals through
the summer to help them recall their thoughts about their reading. These journals may be useful for the
exams. If students read their books early in the summer, they may wish to review them before school
begins.
English 1: Lord of the Flies, William Golding. The students are also required to answer questions on
the novel. Please see accompanying sheet.
English 2 College Prep: The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien. The students are also required to answer
questions on the novels. Please see accompanying sheet.
English 2 Honors: Oedipus the King, Fagles translation and Siddhartha, Hesse
American Lit College Prep: Into the Wild, Krakauer
American Literature Honors: Farewell to Arms, Hemingway and My Antonia, Cather
Senior Comp: Hamlet’s Blackberry, William Powers (ISBN 978-0-06-168716-7). The students are also
required to answer questions on the book. Please see accompanying sheet.
A.P. Language and Comp: This Boy’s Life, Wolff and Dead Man Walking, Sr. Helen Prejean. Please
read carefully. You may want to keep a reading journal or to take notes on your reading. When
you return to school in the fall, you will be asked to write an essay on the book(s). Your work on
this assignment is indicative of your readiness to take a college level class.
A.P. Literature and Comp: The Iliad, Homer; Jane Eyre, Bronte; and options for extra credit – The
Aeneid, Virgil; Moby Dick, Melville; A Pilgrim’s Progress, Bunyan; and The Works of Sir Thomas
Malory). You will be asked to have a four page journal on each of the two books you read. The
journal is to be one page on the theme of hero, one on death, one on love, one on evil. What is the
book saying on each of these themes? Think of figurative as well as literal interpretations of each
theme. The journal is due on our second day of school.
ENGLISH I (Incoming-Freshmen) College Prep
Writing Assignment
For Summer Reading
William Golding’s Lord of the Flies
Writing Assignment
Answer each of these questions below in a well-developed paragraph (minimum of 5 sentences). Responses must
be typed, double-spaced. Please write your answers without assistance from others. This writing activity will
demonstrate how thoughtful you can be independently. You will receive points based on the above criteria.
Be sure to include quotes and paraphrases from the text in each response. This assignment is due on the first
FULL day of class.
1) Compare the two characters Ralph and Jack. Would you consider these boys leaders? Why or why not?
Why do some boys choose to follow Ralph? Why do some boys choose to follow Jack?
2) Consider the conflicts in the story. Discuss at least two different kinds of conflict. (Note: Do not limit your
response to conflicts between characters only.)
3) One of William Golding’s themes for the novel is that “society’s defects stem from the defects inherent in
human nature.” Examine the validity of this statement and discuss at least two specific examples from the
novel. You may also consider exploring this assertion as it relates to the contemporary world.
English II (Incoming-Sophomores) College Prep
Writing Assignment
For Summer Reading
JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit
Writing Assignment
Answer each of the questions below in a well-developed paragraph (minimum of 5 sentences). Responses must be
typed, double-spaced. Please write your answers without help from others. In that way we can see how thoughtful
you can be.
Be sure to include quotes, paraphrases from the text in each response. Please use The Bedford Handbook for proper
citations. Due the first full day of class.
1) Compare Bilbo at the beginning of his journey with Bilbo at the end of his journey. What are the changes
and what causes them? Would you call him a hero? Why or why not? What is the most valuable lesson
learned?
2) In finding the Arkenstone, what did Bilbo really find? Why did Thorin’s intensive searching yield nothing?
3) When Bilbo took the Arkenstone to Thorin’s enemies it seemed a dreadful betrayal to him. But before he
dies Thorin has a change of heart and tells Bilbo, “I wish to part in friendship from you, and I would take
back my words and deeds at the Gate.” Why has Thorin changed? What has he learned from Bilbo?
4) Examine the ways in which the battle between good and evil/light and darkness is fought in The Hobbit and
discuss what is communicated about human nature through this struggle.
SENIOR COMPOSITION (Incoming-Seniors) College Prep
Writing Assignment
For Summer Reading
William Powers, Hamlet’s Blackberry
Writing Assignment
1. Powers uses the philosophies/worldviews of seven influential thinkers to form the backbone of his discussion.
Briefly summarize your understanding of the key elements of each of these thinkers which Powers uses in making
argument. Write at least a paragraph on each of them to show your understanding of their relevance to the central
message of Powers' book.
2. The subtitle of Powers' book could be perceived as a question or a statement: "Building a Good Life in the
Digital Age." Consider some of the following discussion points as you examine your own experiences living in this
"digital age":
* Discuss your understanding of how one can "build a good life" in this age of being "PERPETUALLY
CONNECTED."
* What are some of your own observations and insights regarding the obstacles that can prevent the "good life,"
from happening?
* What are some of the insights that Powers shares that you will try to implement into your own life?
* Is this topic one that we should care about?