AP Literature and Composition Summer Reading Requirements- 2014
For the summer reading assignment, you are required to read one classic novel and to record significant evidence from
the novel. You will use this evidence as the basis for writing an essay during the first few weeks of class. You may
choose one of the three novels below. The essay prompt is simply a suggestion of a possible essay topic that you may
address. The prompt is included here to give you a hint of the possible direction your essay may take. Consequently,
the essay prompt will guide you towards the type of information you may want to gather:
Choice 1: The Awakening, by Kate Chopin
Essay: In this novel, protagonist Edna Pontellier is said to possess “that outward existence which conforms, the inward
life which questions.” In a well-developed essay explain why this character conforms outwardly while questioning
inwardly. Then, analyze how this tension between outward conformity and inward questioning contributes to the
meaning of the work. Do not merely summarize the plot.
Choice 2: Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton
Essay: It has often been said that what we value can be determined only by what we sacrifice. Consider how this
statement applies to a character from a novel or play. Select a character that has deliberately sacrificed, surrendered, or
forfeited something in a way that highlights that character’s values. Then write a well-organized essay in which you
analyze how the particular sacrifice illuminates the character’s values and provides a deeper understanding of the
meaning of the work as a whole.
Choice 3: Billy Budd, by Herman Melville
Essay: Writers often highlight the values of a culture or a society by using characters who are alienated from that culture
or society because of gender, race, class, or creed. Choose a novel or a play in which such a character plays a significant
role and show how that character's alienation reveals the surrounding society's assumptions or moral values.
What should my notes contain?
Well, the notes should look for any information that would be significant to the purpose of the author in writing the
novel. AP Lit is a class that focuses on the importance of reading a text closely and then determining how the elements
contained in the text support the message/theme the author wants to convey.
All novels do not follow the same format, nor do they focus on the same literary devices. However, most novels do have
some similarities that are universal. The novels will all have themes that are a reflection of the author’s ideas. These
themes may be influenced by the time period, gender roles, man’s place in nature, or other elements. Also, all novels,
as with all literature, contain an element in which all readers are interested, people. They may not be real, but they do
“real” things and they represent elements of humanity that we find interesting. Thus, pay special attention to
characterization and the development of the protagonist, or other characters, throughout the novel
With this focus in mind, your job is to look for evidence in the novels which will be supportive in explaining the author’s
purpose. On the second page of this document, you will find an example of a similar assignment that was created for
another novel. Notice how every category (characterization in this case) is not completed. That is because this section of
the novel did not emphasize that element. In addition, take notice that the “facts” and “evidence” are always explained
in a manner that analyzes their purpose. This must be done in order for you to make some sense of how these will all fit
together.
For your notes, you need to complete the notes in the following manner. Each text has a different number of chapters,
so the notes segment will be arranged differently for each.
The Awakening- 39 chapters- Notes should be taken in 9-10 segments (ex. Chaps 1-6)
Ethan Frome- 10 chapters. 1 segment of notes over each chapter and the introduction.
Billy Budd- 31 chapters- Notes should be taken in 9-10 segments (ex. Chaps 1-5)
How long should each segment be? Some chapters/segments will be more revealing than others. A general rule of
thumb would be that a single page will rarely suffice, but 3 pages worth is getting a bit long. You may e-mail me if you
have any specific questions about this requirement. Enjoy the reading!
The Scarlet Letter- Example of information you may want to take for your notes.
Establishing the author’s purpose, determining the author’s methods of establishing that purpose, determining the
reader’s role:
Chapter -1 What is the author trying to establish, how, impact?
SettingUnsettling- author uses details to establish the societal need to accommodate the less attractive characteristics of
society, “ The founders of a new colony, whatever Utopia of human virtue and happiness they might originally project,
have….to allot a portion of the virgin soil as a cemetery, and another portion as the site of a prison.” The reader
immediately understands the establishment of this tale as one which reflects upon human virtue. Man cannot be
separated from his vices or his existence from the specter of death. Invariably, these realities establish the necessity for
societies to organize, and to create laws and rules, with these limitations in mind.
MoodSomber- author’s use of diction, “sad-colored garments (1)”, reader immediately feels the mood
Ominous- author’s use of diction, “studded with iron spikes (1)”, reader immediately reflects on conflict/mood
CharacterizationTheme“a tale of frailty and human sorrow (4)”, - The author/narrator directly states this thematic statement. As a reader, such
a direct claim makes me wonder. What is the purpose of such a direct appeal? Does this direct appeal is some ways
critically confront the reader’s awareness of “his” inclusion in this “tale of frailty?”
Symbols“a wild rose-bush….the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him.”
-Hope, compassion, forgiveness, absolution? The reader must notice that “Nature” has established this symbol, and
perhaps is only allowed to establish it parameters. Can man do so? From the earlier discussion of man’s characteristics
as “one with his vices”, can it be determined that the narrator claims that the nature of man is unable to carry forth the
compassion of “Nature.”
Plot/ConflictOtherAllusion: to Anne Hutchinson, the Puritan women who challenged the vengeful, vindictive, and hypocritical leadership
of the Puritan colony and were banished.
Foreshadow: Anne Hutchinson to Hester Prynne