Pre-College Final Writing Assignment
Pre-College Assignment | |
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Pre-College Assignment | |
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Short Stories
The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Birthmark | |
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The Birthmark Worksheet: Due Tuesday | |
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Babylon Revisited by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Babylon Revisited | |
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Assignment: Read the story Babylon Revisited over the weekend and come back on Monday prepared to discuss.
Complete the Worksheet below for Babylon Revisited, Due Tuesday, May 13th:
Babylon Revisited Worksheet | |
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Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway:
Hills Like White Elephants PDF | |
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Quick Bio:
Fun fact about Ernest Hemingway: in his fifties, in the 1950’s, he told Senator Joseph McCarthy (remember The Crucible?) that McCarthy was a little sh*t, and that he (Hemingway) could knock him (McCarthy) flat on his ass on the best day of his (McCarthy’s) life. Ernest Hemingway was a world traveler, fearless, bold, adventurous, fiercely independent, an alcoholic, and though macho in every stereotypical way, also a deeply sensitive writer who captured the sense of alienation that haunted the Lost Generation (of which F. Scott Fitzgerald was also a part) who were trying to deal with the absurdity of the First World War, so many of whom ended up in France because of the low cost of living there. France was where a great many American expatriate writers ended up, at least for a period of time, including Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and some time later, Richard Wright ... However, Hemingway himself never felt there was a lost generation, that the earth abideth forever, that there was hope ... of course, he ultimately committed suicide, but ... readers identify him with the Lost Generation, a phrase coined by Gertrude Stein’s auto mechanic, describing his workers who were so broken and damaged by the war ... Hemingway treated the women in his life quite horribly from what I understand, he was married four times, and was an avid hunter and killer. However, the pain and suffering that human beings inflicted on each other was a matter that concerned him a great deal, and which surfaces time and again in his writing.
Biography by: Brandon Juhl
Fun fact about Ernest Hemingway: in his fifties, in the 1950’s, he told Senator Joseph McCarthy (remember The Crucible?) that McCarthy was a little sh*t, and that he (Hemingway) could knock him (McCarthy) flat on his ass on the best day of his (McCarthy’s) life. Ernest Hemingway was a world traveler, fearless, bold, adventurous, fiercely independent, an alcoholic, and though macho in every stereotypical way, also a deeply sensitive writer who captured the sense of alienation that haunted the Lost Generation (of which F. Scott Fitzgerald was also a part) who were trying to deal with the absurdity of the First World War, so many of whom ended up in France because of the low cost of living there. France was where a great many American expatriate writers ended up, at least for a period of time, including Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and some time later, Richard Wright ... However, Hemingway himself never felt there was a lost generation, that the earth abideth forever, that there was hope ... of course, he ultimately committed suicide, but ... readers identify him with the Lost Generation, a phrase coined by Gertrude Stein’s auto mechanic, describing his workers who were so broken and damaged by the war ... Hemingway treated the women in his life quite horribly from what I understand, he was married four times, and was an avid hunter and killer. However, the pain and suffering that human beings inflicted on each other was a matter that concerned him a great deal, and which surfaces time and again in his writing.
Biography by: Brandon Juhl
Hills Like White Elephants reads like a very simple short story, however, it contains a lot of depth. To get to the bottom of this story, and discover it's true meaning, we will read and answer in stages; beginning with a first read-through, followed by a second read-through, and ending with a discussion. Download the questions for the first read-through below:
First Reading:
First Reading:
First Read: Questions | |
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Second Reading:
Second Read: Questions | |
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Discussion Questions:
Discussion Questions | |
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Antigone is a tragedy by Sophocles written in or before 441 BC. Chronologically, it is the third of the three Theban plays but was written first. The play expands on the Theban legend that predated it and picks up where Aeschylus' Seven Against Thebes ends.
-Wikipedia
-Wikipedia
Antigone by Sophocles
Antigone PDF | |
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Reading Resources:
Antigone Translated Text:
Antigone Translated Text:
Translated Antigone PDF | |
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Antigone Study Guide: Scene VI
1. What news does the messenger bring about luck?
2. How does Antigone end her imprisonment in the cave?
3. How does the audience hear about what happened to Haemon?
4. What is Eurydice's reaction?
5. What is Creon's attitude toward these events?
6. Explain the final words, the judgement of the chorus.
1. What news does the messenger bring about luck?
2. How does Antigone end her imprisonment in the cave?
3. How does the audience hear about what happened to Haemon?
4. What is Eurydice's reaction?
5. What is Creon's attitude toward these events?
6. Explain the final words, the judgement of the chorus.
For those were absent on Friday, May 2nd: Please read Scene 5: Pages 35 to 42 and respond to the questions below. These will be due on Monday.
Antigone Study Guide: Scene V
1. Why has Tiresias come? What opinion does Tiresias express to Creon?
2. What has the business of the birds to do with Tiresias?
3. How does Creon react to Tiresias' advice?
4. Of what does Creon accuse Tiresias?
5. What warnings does Tiresias give Creon? What is the effect of Tiresias' warnings on Creon?
6. How does the Chorus advise Creon?
7. Creon listens to the chorus, but is still reluctant to release Antigone. Why?
1. Why has Tiresias come? What opinion does Tiresias express to Creon?
2. What has the business of the birds to do with Tiresias?
3. How does Creon react to Tiresias' advice?
4. Of what does Creon accuse Tiresias?
5. What warnings does Tiresias give Creon? What is the effect of Tiresias' warnings on Creon?
6. How does the Chorus advise Creon?
7. Creon listens to the chorus, but is still reluctant to release Antigone. Why?
Antigone Study Guide: Scene IV
1. What is Antigone's attitude toward the decree of Creon?
2. What does Antigone tell us is her only regret?
3. In this scene what is Creon's comment that makes him sound more and more like a tyrant?
4. What is the chorus' attitude toward Antigone?
1. What is Antigone's attitude toward the decree of Creon?
2. What does Antigone tell us is her only regret?
3. In this scene what is Creon's comment that makes him sound more and more like a tyrant?
4. What is the chorus' attitude toward Antigone?
Antigone Study Guide: Scene III
1. When Haemon arrives, what is the first question that Creon asks him?
2. In the discussion that follows, in what direction does Haemon try to lead the conversation?
3. What is the reason Creon gives when he claims it necessary for him to condemn Antigone?
4. What further points does Creon make to his son?
5. What counterpoints does Haemon make to his father?
6. What opinion does the chorus express?
7. Do you agree with Haemon that an act of disobedience, if it is an honorable act, is to be admired?
8. What threats does Haemon make to his father?
9. What does Creon tell the chorus he plans to do?
10. Why does Creon decide on this as a means for causing Antigone's death?
1. When Haemon arrives, what is the first question that Creon asks him?
2. In the discussion that follows, in what direction does Haemon try to lead the conversation?
3. What is the reason Creon gives when he claims it necessary for him to condemn Antigone?
4. What further points does Creon make to his son?
5. What counterpoints does Haemon make to his father?
6. What opinion does the chorus express?
7. Do you agree with Haemon that an act of disobedience, if it is an honorable act, is to be admired?
8. What threats does Haemon make to his father?
9. What does Creon tell the chorus he plans to do?
10. Why does Creon decide on this as a means for causing Antigone's death?
Antigone Study Guide: Scene II
(For those reading the PDF, begin on Pg. 10, Line 368 and end on Pg. 18 Line 663)
1. What does the sentry report this time? What mixed feelings does he have?
2. What does Antigone make clear to Creon?
3. What is Creon's opinion of Antigone?
4. Creon asks Antigone, "do (the people) fear my anger or my justice?" What does Antigone respond?
5. When Creon asks Antigone her opinion about rewards and punishments in the next life, how does she answer his question?
6. When Ismene tries to take part of the blame/credit, Antigone refuses to let her. Do you think that Antigone is trying to shield her sister from harm, or is she so headstrong she won't let Ismene take any of the credit because Ismene refused to become involved when she had first asked her?
7. How does Creon treat Ismene and Antigone? What does he decide to do with them?
8. Give another example of Creon's insensitivity.
(For those reading the PDF, begin on Pg. 10, Line 368 and end on Pg. 18 Line 663)
1. What does the sentry report this time? What mixed feelings does he have?
2. What does Antigone make clear to Creon?
3. What is Creon's opinion of Antigone?
4. Creon asks Antigone, "do (the people) fear my anger or my justice?" What does Antigone respond?
5. When Creon asks Antigone her opinion about rewards and punishments in the next life, how does she answer his question?
6. When Ismene tries to take part of the blame/credit, Antigone refuses to let her. Do you think that Antigone is trying to shield her sister from harm, or is she so headstrong she won't let Ismene take any of the credit because Ismene refused to become involved when she had first asked her?
7. How does Creon treat Ismene and Antigone? What does he decide to do with them?
8. Give another example of Creon's insensitivity.
From the Official website of the author of Lord of the Flies:
Awarded both the prestigious Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983 and the coveted Booker Prize in 1980, William Golding's writing continues to touch every country in the world and is today read in more than 35 languages. He was knighted by the Queen in 1988, and his you-must-have-read-this classic novel Lord of the Flies is a global phenomenon.
Awarded both the prestigious Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983 and the coveted Booker Prize in 1980, William Golding's writing continues to touch every country in the world and is today read in more than 35 languages. He was knighted by the Queen in 1988, and his you-must-have-read-this classic novel Lord of the Flies is a global phenomenon.
Lord of the Flies Final Essay
Due: Wednesday, April 16th
Lord of the Flies Essay | |
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Essay Writing Resources:
Reference the resources below in order to create a strong thesis along with a strong analysis.
Purdue OWL: Writing About Literature
Reference the resources below in order to create a strong thesis along with a strong analysis.
Purdue OWL: Writing About Literature
Chapter 10 Study Guide: Due Tuesday, April 8th | |
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Chapter 10 Study Guide: Due Tuesday, April 8th | |
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Chapter 9 Study Guide: Due Thursday, April 3rd | |
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Build Your Own Study Guide (Seven and Eight) | |
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Lord of the Flies Chapter 6 Study Guide | |
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Lord of the Flies Chapter 6 Study Guide | |
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Lord of the Flies Chapters 4 and 5 Study Guide Doc | |
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Lord of the Flies Chapter 4 and 5 Study Guide PDF | |
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Lord of the Flies Chapter 2 Study Guide | |
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A Separate Peace (1959) is a novel by John Knowles. Based on his earlier short story, "Phineas," it was Knowles' first published novel and became his best-known work.
John Knowles was born on September 16, 1926, in Fairmont, West Virginia. He entered Phillips Exeter Academy, a prestigious boarding school in New Hampshire, when he was fifteen years old; he studied there during all of World War II. The setting of Devon in his first novel was based on Exeter. After completing Exeter in 1945, Knowles spent eight months in the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program; but he decided to continue his studies. He entered Yale University, graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. It was during his years at Yale that he began his literary career, contributing stories to the undergraduate literary magazine and editing the school newspaper.
To Continue Reading, download the attached document below:
John Knowles was born on September 16, 1926, in Fairmont, West Virginia. He entered Phillips Exeter Academy, a prestigious boarding school in New Hampshire, when he was fifteen years old; he studied there during all of World War II. The setting of Devon in his first novel was based on Exeter. After completing Exeter in 1945, Knowles spent eight months in the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program; but he decided to continue his studies. He entered Yale University, graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. It was during his years at Yale that he began his literary career, contributing stories to the undergraduate literary magazine and editing the school newspaper.
To Continue Reading, download the attached document below:
Background Information | |
File Size: | 26 kb |
File Type: | doc |
A Separate Peace Final Test
Our A Separate Peace final test will be separated into three parts:
Part One: Multiple Choice
For this portion you will be asked to identify important information from the novel including: events, locations, characters, causes and effects (..this happened because...), etc.
Part Two: Matching
For this portion you will have to match characters to their descriptions.
Part Three: Essay
Once you have completed the first two portions of the test, you will write a short essay based on themes within the novel. You will be given three prompts to choose from. You will choose one prompt and respond to it using quotations and examples from the text (you will be allowed to use your book for this portion of the test). Your job is to answer the prompt as thoroughly as possible using examples from the text to support your response and analysis.
You be graded on:
Part One: Multiple Choice
For this portion you will be asked to identify important information from the novel including: events, locations, characters, causes and effects (..this happened because...), etc.
Part Two: Matching
For this portion you will have to match characters to their descriptions.
Part Three: Essay
Once you have completed the first two portions of the test, you will write a short essay based on themes within the novel. You will be given three prompts to choose from. You will choose one prompt and respond to it using quotations and examples from the text (you will be allowed to use your book for this portion of the test). Your job is to answer the prompt as thoroughly as possible using examples from the text to support your response and analysis.
You be graded on:
- Grammar: spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, word usage etc. 10pts
- Textual support: examples, quotes 10pts
- Analysis: your explanation, or tie-in to the prompt (basically how well you responded to or answered the prompt)10pts
The test will be on Monday, March 10th
A Separate Peace: Themes
THEMES
Major
Coming of age, Examples: the main characters are 16 years old, they are also of age to be sent to war, they are enjoying the golden years of their lives.
Minor
Danger of jealousy- So far, Gene is consciously aware of all of Finny's actions and possibly jealous of his ability to get away with breaking the rules.
Pain of the war- the school is not in top condition because all resources are being sent to the war, also, the boys' live are on a sort of timeline, waiting to fight for their country.
Major
Coming of age, Examples: the main characters are 16 years old, they are also of age to be sent to war, they are enjoying the golden years of their lives.
Minor
Danger of jealousy- So far, Gene is consciously aware of all of Finny's actions and possibly jealous of his ability to get away with breaking the rules.
Pain of the war- the school is not in top condition because all resources are being sent to the war, also, the boys' live are on a sort of timeline, waiting to fight for their country.
Chapter 13 Questions
Chapter 13 Questions | |
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A Winter Carnival Through Pictures
Soundtrack Assignment
Due Monday, February 24th
A Separate Peace Character Assignment (Due at the Completion of the Book):
Throughout the reading of A Separate Peace, you will be introduced to numerous characters. Analyzing the characters and their motives is crucial to your understanding John Knowles’ novel. Use notability to complete this assignment.
Page Requirements:
1) Each character deserves their own page; after all, Knowles dedicates substantial time to each one and we need to understand everyone at the school. These characters are “crazy” or “angry” or “guilty” or “proud” according to some readers, and we need to know why.
2) Characters of importance: Gene Forrester, Phineas (Finny), Brinker Hadley, Elwin “Leper” Lepellier, Chet Douglas, Cliff Quackenbush, Mr. Prud’homme, Dr. Stanpole, Mr. Hadley. You may add characters as necessary.
3) One page for each character. Each should contain the following elements. Be creative with how you choose to present each character and make each page unique!
Page Requirements:
1) Each character deserves their own page; after all, Knowles dedicates substantial time to each one and we need to understand everyone at the school. These characters are “crazy” or “angry” or “guilty” or “proud” according to some readers, and we need to know why.
2) Characters of importance: Gene Forrester, Phineas (Finny), Brinker Hadley, Elwin “Leper” Lepellier, Chet Douglas, Cliff Quackenbush, Mr. Prud’homme, Dr. Stanpole, Mr. Hadley. You may add characters as necessary.
3) One page for each character. Each should contain the following elements. Be creative with how you choose to present each character and make each page unique!
- Character Name & Description Age, job, relationships, facts, etc.
- Analysis of Character including traits, quotations, written detailed analysis
- Character-Theme Tie-In: In three sentences, explain how the character helps support or illustrate a theme in the novel
- Symbolism (include a visual associated with the character and explanation of symbolism)
Chapter Eleven Study Guide Questions
1. What would the doctor say to Finny about snowball fights?
2. How is the snowball fight like blitzball?
3. How does Brinker take the news of Leper’s departure from the army?
4. What makes Finny give up his denial about the war?
5. How did students choose between various branches of the military?
6. According to Brinker, why is it important to mention Finny’s leg to Finny and even to joke about it?
7. Why do Brinker and his friends take Gene and Finny to the First Building?
8. Do you think Gene is right in thinking that if he had only said, “Go to Hell” when Brinker suggested “Let us pray” – everything might have been saved?
9. Explain what the adult Gene means when he says that Brinker forgot that “Justice incarnate is not only balancing the scales but also blindfolded.” (page 160)
10. Why does Finny leave the building crying and fall on the stairway? Would this second accident have happened if Leper had not returned to campus?
Philips Exeter Academy: The Academy in Wartime (Assignment Three Graded):
In an attempt to understand what Gene and the boys were experiencing at Devon, and how the war was affecting their lives, we are going to take a look at an article published in June of 1942, by M.R. Williams in the Exeter Bulletin. If you remember, John Knowles attended Exeter Academy and largely based Devon, from A Separate Peace, on Exeter. This article highlights the affects of the war on the school, and the steps the school took to train students for the the trials of war.
Read the below posted article, and respond to the questions:
Philips Exeter Academy: The Academy in Wartime
Questions:
1. What was the paramount problem The Academy members faced after the attack on Pearl Harbor?
2. According to the author, this is not only a 'soldiers and sailors war but a war of…'
3. What was different about previous wars, compared to World War II, when it came to the school's involvement in the war?
4. What was the answer to the question: "What to off to boys of 16 to 19 years of age who wished to be doing something that really counted?
5. What recommendations for schools were made by: the National Council of Chief State Officers at Nashville, Departments of War, The Navy, and The United States Office of Education?
6. What conclusion did the faculty come to when considering war-supporting curriculum?
7. How were athletics adopted to benefit the war?
8. How do you think the contents of this article relate to our book? Be specific with examples.
9. Why do you think an article like this would have been posted?
Read the below posted article, and respond to the questions:
Philips Exeter Academy: The Academy in Wartime
Questions:
1. What was the paramount problem The Academy members faced after the attack on Pearl Harbor?
2. According to the author, this is not only a 'soldiers and sailors war but a war of…'
3. What was different about previous wars, compared to World War II, when it came to the school's involvement in the war?
4. What was the answer to the question: "What to off to boys of 16 to 19 years of age who wished to be doing something that really counted?
5. What recommendations for schools were made by: the National Council of Chief State Officers at Nashville, Departments of War, The Navy, and The United States Office of Education?
6. What conclusion did the faculty come to when considering war-supporting curriculum?
7. How were athletics adopted to benefit the war?
8. How do you think the contents of this article relate to our book? Be specific with examples.
9. Why do you think an article like this would have been posted?
Chapter Seven Study Guide (Not Graded):
- What is Brinker like?
- How does Brinker goad Gene? Why? Does he suspect the truth about the accident, or do you think he is a “lucky guesser”?
- What does it mean that at Devon the students had “many public faces”?
- How does Brinker stage a “mock arrest” of Gene? How can you tell that Gene doesn’t think it is funny?
- How much of the truth does Gene admit—under the guise of a joke—in the Butt Room? Do you think that the others suspect that he is telling the truth?
- What does Brinker’s “war poem” reveal about his attitudes toward the war?
- How does the war affect student life in the fall?
- How is the snowfall like the impact of the war on the students?
- Why doesn’t Leper help the others shovel snow from the tracks? How do the others treat Leper?
- How does Gene respond to Brinker’s declaration that he will enlist the next day?
Chapter Six Study Guide (Not Graded):
1. What does Gene realize about the rules?
2. What area (subject) is Leper interested?
3. Why is he called Leper? Why is this appropriate?
4. What happens between Gene and Quackenbush?
5. What is ironic about Gene being called maimed?
6. How does Gene feel about sports?
7. What is Phineas' response to Gene's feelings?
8. What does the last sentence int he chapter mean?
1. What does Gene realize about the rules?
2. What area (subject) is Leper interested?
3. Why is he called Leper? Why is this appropriate?
4. What happens between Gene and Quackenbush?
5. What is ironic about Gene being called maimed?
6. How does Gene feel about sports?
7. What is Phineas' response to Gene's feelings?
8. What does the last sentence int he chapter mean?
Chapter Five Study Guide (Not Graded): Group Work
- What effect does Finny’s injury have on Gene? What effect does it have on the teachers and the other students?
- Why does Gene put on Finny’s clothes? How does he feel in them?
- How bad if Finny’s injury? How does Finny take the news?
- Finny hasn’t told anyone about Gene’s role in the accident. What is Gene’s guess as to why not? What do you think is the reason?
- Finny asks to see Gene. What is Gene’s guess as to why? What is the actual reason?
- Why does Finny apologize to Gene? Do you agree with Finny’s new “commandment”–Never accuse a friend of a crime if you only have a feeling he did it—?
- Why do you think Gene decides to tell Finny the truth? Do you think that this is the right decision?
- What can you tell about Finny’s family background from his home?
- How does Finny react when Gene admits that he caused the accident?
Chapter Three Study Guide (Assignment Two Graded): Due on Wednesday, February 4th
Journal Entry:
Assuming that Gene is envious of Finny, have you ever experienced similar feelings toward a friend? How did it affect your friendship? How can you deal with a situation like this?
Chapter 4:
- Why didn’t Gene feel very grateful toward Finny for saving his life?
- What rules does Finny keep faithfully? How do these rules differ from the rules he doesn’t obey?
- What is the Suicide Society like? What does Gene think of it?
- What is blitzball? Who develops it? Why?
- How does Finny break the swimming record? Why won’t his time count?
- Finny tells Gene to keep quiet about his breaking the swimming record. What is Gene’s reaction?
- Why doesn’t Gene want to go to the beach with Finny? Why does he go, then?
- How does Gene respond when Finny tells him that Gene is his best pal? Why doesn’t Gene reciprocate?
Journal Entry:
Assuming that Gene is envious of Finny, have you ever experienced similar feelings toward a friend? How did it affect your friendship? How can you deal with a situation like this?
Chapter 4:
- What sort of long-lasting impression does dawn on the beach create for Gene?
- Is it Finny’s fault that Gene flunked the test? How does he feel about flunking?
- What suspicions does Gene develop about Finny? Why do these suspicions make Gene feel better?
- What happens to Gene’s grades after he flunks the test? Do you think Gene would have become such a “good student” if he hadn’t been so angry at Finny?
- Why does Finny tell Gene to stop studying for his French exam?
- How does Finny react when Gene finally asserts himself and says that he needs to study? Do you think Finny should have realized how angry with him Gene has been all these weeks?
- Is Gene relieved to find out that Finny isn’t guilty of treachery—that he really wants Gene to do well?
- Why does Finny want Gene to jump with him? How is that ironic?
- Why does Finny fall? Can you explain Gene’s actions?
Chapter One Review (Assignment One Graded): Due on Monday, February 3rd
- How does the narrator feel about being back at Devon? How much time has passed since he was a student there?
- Why do you suppose the author decided to tell the story as a reminiscence, instead of just starting his novel in 1942?
- What images do you recall after reading the first few pages where the narrator’s recent visit to Devon is described? What is Devon like?
- Why does the narrator conclude that the stairs must be very hard? How does that fact make him feel?
- How is the narrator surprised by the tree’s appearance? What does he mean by saying that he remembered it as “high as the beanstalk”? How does it seem now?
- “Changed, I headed back through the mud” (6). The word “changed” seems a little unusual here. What do you think the narrator means by it?
- How was the summer of 1942 at Devon different from what it would have been if there hadn’t been a war on?
- What is Finny like?
- Why did Finny jump from the tree? How did Gene feel about jumping? What do you think Finny would have done if Gene had refused?
- According to Finny, why was he “good for” Gene? Did Gene agree? Do you agree?
The Great Gatsby is a 1925 novel written by American author F. Scott Fitzgerald that follows a cast of characters living in the fictional town of West Egg on prosperous Long Island in the summer of 1922. The story primarily concerns the young and mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his quixotic passion for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan. Considered to be Fitzgerald's magnum opus, The Great Gatsby explores themes of decadence, idealism, resistance to change, social upheaval, and excess, creating a portrait of the Jazz Age that has been described as a cautionary tale regarding the American Dream.
First published by Scribner's in April 1925, The Great Gatsby received mixed reviews and sold poorly; in its first year, the book only sold 20,000 copies. Fitzgerald died in 1940, believing himself to be a failure and his work forgotten. His work, spearheaded by The Great Gatsby, experienced a revival during World War II, and the novel became a part of high school curriculum in the following decades. The book has remained popular since, leading to numerous stage and film adaptations. The Great Gatsby is widely considered to be a literary classic and a contender for the title "Great American Novel". The book is consistently ranked among the greatest works of American literature.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
First published by Scribner's in April 1925, The Great Gatsby received mixed reviews and sold poorly; in its first year, the book only sold 20,000 copies. Fitzgerald died in 1940, believing himself to be a failure and his work forgotten. His work, spearheaded by The Great Gatsby, experienced a revival during World War II, and the novel became a part of high school curriculum in the following decades. The book has remained popular since, leading to numerous stage and film adaptations. The Great Gatsby is widely considered to be a literary classic and a contender for the title "Great American Novel". The book is consistently ranked among the greatest works of American literature.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
F. Scott Fitzgerald: Literary opinion makers were reluctant to accord Fitzgerald full marks as a serious craftsman. His reputation as a drinker inspired the myth that he was an irresponsible writer; yet he was a painstaking reviser whose fiction went through layers of drafts. Fitzgerald’s clear, lyrical, colorful, witty style evoked the emotions associated with time and place. When critics objected to Fitzgerald’s concern with love and success, his response was: “But, my God! it was my material, and it was all I had to deal with.” The chief theme of Fitzgerald’s work is aspiration — the idealism he regarded as defining American character. Another major theme was mutability or loss. As a social historian Fitzgerald became identified with the Jazz Age: “It was an age of miracles, it was an age of art, it was an age of excess, and it was an age of satire,” he wrote in “Echoes of the Jazz Age.”
Seeking tranquility for his work the Fitzgeralds went to France in the spring of 1924 . He wrote The Great Gatsby during the summer and fall in Valescure near St. Raphael, but the marriage was damaged by Zelda’s involvement with a French naval aviator. The extent of the affair — if it was in fact consummated — is not known. On the Riviera the Fitzgeralds formed a close friendship with affluent and cultured American expatriates Gerald and Sara Murphy.
The Fitzgeralds spent the winter of 1924-1925 in Rome, where he revised The Great Gatsby; they were en route to Paris when the novel was published in April. The Great Gatsby marked a striking advance in Fitzgerald’s technique, utilizing a complex structure and a controlled narrative point of view. Fitzgerald’s achievement received critical praise, but sales of Gatsby were disappointing, though the stage and movie rights brought additional income.
Source: F. Scott Fitzgerald Society
Seeking tranquility for his work the Fitzgeralds went to France in the spring of 1924 . He wrote The Great Gatsby during the summer and fall in Valescure near St. Raphael, but the marriage was damaged by Zelda’s involvement with a French naval aviator. The extent of the affair — if it was in fact consummated — is not known. On the Riviera the Fitzgeralds formed a close friendship with affluent and cultured American expatriates Gerald and Sara Murphy.
The Fitzgeralds spent the winter of 1924-1925 in Rome, where he revised The Great Gatsby; they were en route to Paris when the novel was published in April. The Great Gatsby marked a striking advance in Fitzgerald’s technique, utilizing a complex structure and a controlled narrative point of view. Fitzgerald’s achievement received critical praise, but sales of Gatsby were disappointing, though the stage and movie rights brought additional income.
Source: F. Scott Fitzgerald Society
NOTE: Keep the character list and the setting description on a separate notability note from your chapter review assignments.
Setting
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Characters
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NOTE: Keep the character list and the setting description on a separate notability note from your chapter review assignments.
Great Gastby Essay Prompts
1. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel focuses on the male characters, but he has several clearly delineated female characters as well, each with her own desires, motivations, and needs. Write an essay comparing and contrasting Daisy Buchanan, Myrtle Wilson, and Jordan Baker. Ultimately, what is Fitzgerald’s message to the reader about women and feminine power?
2. Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are more similar than different. Write an essay in which you compare and contrast these two men according to their attitudes toward women, their ways of showing violence, and their reactions to being cuckolded. What is Fitzgerald telling us about the nature of man?
3. The theme of seeing and not seeing, or variations on blindness, permeates the novel. Eyes are everywhere: Dr. Eckleburg’s on the billboard, Owl Eyes, Jordan’s gray eyes, a dog “looking with blind eyes through the smoke” (41), a man “blinded by the glare of the headlights” (59), and Nick’s comment that the East is “haunted for me...distorted beyond my eyes’ power of correction” (185). Analyze the treatment of blindness, and of seeing and not seeing, in the novel and show how these images are used to emphasize Fitzgerald’s message to the reader.
4. Consider this final statement from Nick in Chapter 9: “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter – tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther...And one fine morning– So we boat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” Using characters and situations from the novel, examine this last passage from the novel and explain how it supports Fitzgerald’s message to the reader about the American Dream.
2. Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are more similar than different. Write an essay in which you compare and contrast these two men according to their attitudes toward women, their ways of showing violence, and their reactions to being cuckolded. What is Fitzgerald telling us about the nature of man?
3. The theme of seeing and not seeing, or variations on blindness, permeates the novel. Eyes are everywhere: Dr. Eckleburg’s on the billboard, Owl Eyes, Jordan’s gray eyes, a dog “looking with blind eyes through the smoke” (41), a man “blinded by the glare of the headlights” (59), and Nick’s comment that the East is “haunted for me...distorted beyond my eyes’ power of correction” (185). Analyze the treatment of blindness, and of seeing and not seeing, in the novel and show how these images are used to emphasize Fitzgerald’s message to the reader.
4. Consider this final statement from Nick in Chapter 9: “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter – tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther...And one fine morning– So we boat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” Using characters and situations from the novel, examine this last passage from the novel and explain how it supports Fitzgerald’s message to the reader about the American Dream.
Chapter 9 Review
1. Why does Nick feel responsible for getting people to the funeral? Why do you suppose Wolfsheim reacts the way he does?
2. What does young Jimmy Gatz’s daily schedule say about him?
3. Is Nick surprised that Daisy has not sent a message or flowers? Are you?
4. Nick’s fantastic dream involves El Greco figures. What is the dream, and what might this dream represent in regard to Nick’s present feelings about the East?
5. What shocking piece of information does Nick receive in his chance meeting with Tom? What is Nick’s final feeling about Tom and Daisy?
6. In the last four paragraphs, Nick makes the symbol of the green light very concrete. What does the green light symbolize?
7. Keeping the last few paragraphs in mind, what does the last sentence in the story mean?
2. What does young Jimmy Gatz’s daily schedule say about him?
3. Is Nick surprised that Daisy has not sent a message or flowers? Are you?
4. Nick’s fantastic dream involves El Greco figures. What is the dream, and what might this dream represent in regard to Nick’s present feelings about the East?
5. What shocking piece of information does Nick receive in his chance meeting with Tom? What is Nick’s final feeling about Tom and Daisy?
6. In the last four paragraphs, Nick makes the symbol of the green light very concrete. What does the green light symbolize?
7. Keeping the last few paragraphs in mind, what does the last sentence in the story mean?
Chapter 8 Review
1. Why was the young Gatsby drawn to Daisy?
2. What is the cause of the problem between Jordan and Nick?
3. In what context do Dr. Eckleburg’s eyes appear in this chapter?
4. When Wilson disappears for three hours, where do you guess he might have gone? (You won’t know for certain until later.)
5. Gatsby asks the groundskeeper not to drain the pool. Why? In light of what happens at the very end of this chapter, how is this exchange symbolically meaningful?
6. How can Wilson’s actions at the end of this chapter be explained?
7. What were Nick’s final words to Gatsby? Why is this a fitting goodbye?
2. What is the cause of the problem between Jordan and Nick?
3. In what context do Dr. Eckleburg’s eyes appear in this chapter?
4. When Wilson disappears for three hours, where do you guess he might have gone? (You won’t know for certain until later.)
5. Gatsby asks the groundskeeper not to drain the pool. Why? In light of what happens at the very end of this chapter, how is this exchange symbolically meaningful?
6. How can Wilson’s actions at the end of this chapter be explained?
7. What were Nick’s final words to Gatsby? Why is this a fitting goodbye?
Chapter 7 Review
1. Why, do you suppose, Fitzgerald links the behavior of the characters to the hottest day of the summer?
2. When Gatsby briefly meets Daisy’s little girl, he is somewhat unnerved. Symbolically, what does the little girl represent?
3. What causes Tom to realize that his wife has been having an affair with Gatsby?
4. What does Gatsby understand about Daisy’s voice that Nick does not?
5. Describe the driving arrangement that brings the five characters into the city.
6. Why, do you suppose, Tom decides to let Wilson finally have the car he has been promising him?
7. What indication is there at this point that, in Myrtle’s mind anyway, Tom has been more than a fling?
8. Besides Myrtle’s, what other eyes “kept their vigil” on the activities along the roadway?
9. As always, there is a grain of truth in what Gatsby says. In what sense is he an Oxford man?
10. Daisy says that Tom is “revolting.” To what, can you imagine, is she referring?
11. Why does Daisy have a tough time saying, as Gatsby wishes, that she never loved Tom?
12. Why is it so important to Gatsby that Daisy say she never loved Tom?
13. How has Gatsby earned most of his money, and what does Tom say that startles Gatsby?
15. Describe the hit-and-run scene.
14. What is Daisy's reaction to this news?
16. Why does Tom make the point to Wilson that he just drove the coupe from New York and the yellow car does not actually belong to him?
17. What indication is there that Tom really was fond of Myrtle?
18. What does the reader learn that Tom does not know?
19. What is the scene that Nick observes taking place between Tom and Daisy in the kitchen?
20. Why does this scene suggest ill for Gatsby?
2. When Gatsby briefly meets Daisy’s little girl, he is somewhat unnerved. Symbolically, what does the little girl represent?
3. What causes Tom to realize that his wife has been having an affair with Gatsby?
4. What does Gatsby understand about Daisy’s voice that Nick does not?
5. Describe the driving arrangement that brings the five characters into the city.
6. Why, do you suppose, Tom decides to let Wilson finally have the car he has been promising him?
7. What indication is there at this point that, in Myrtle’s mind anyway, Tom has been more than a fling?
8. Besides Myrtle’s, what other eyes “kept their vigil” on the activities along the roadway?
9. As always, there is a grain of truth in what Gatsby says. In what sense is he an Oxford man?
10. Daisy says that Tom is “revolting.” To what, can you imagine, is she referring?
11. Why does Daisy have a tough time saying, as Gatsby wishes, that she never loved Tom?
12. Why is it so important to Gatsby that Daisy say she never loved Tom?
13. How has Gatsby earned most of his money, and what does Tom say that startles Gatsby?
15. Describe the hit-and-run scene.
14. What is Daisy's reaction to this news?
16. Why does Tom make the point to Wilson that he just drove the coupe from New York and the yellow car does not actually belong to him?
17. What indication is there that Tom really was fond of Myrtle?
18. What does the reader learn that Tom does not know?
19. What is the scene that Nick observes taking place between Tom and Daisy in the kitchen?
20. Why does this scene suggest ill for Gatsby?
Chapter 6 Review
1. In the first few pages of this chapter, we learn about Gatsby’s background. When did James Gatz change his name to Jay Gatsby? Why did he leave college after just two weeks?
2. Nick says, “So he [Gatsby] invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen-year-old boy would be likely
to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end.” For James Gatz, what does he expect the future Jay Gatsby’s life will be like? Specifically, at night, what sets James’ heart “in a constant, turbulent” riot?
3. To young Gatz, what does Dan Cody’s yacht represent?
4. Why does Gatsby not get the $25,000 left to him in Cody’s will? What lesson did young Gatsby likely learn from this incident?
5. After crossing paths with Gatsby, Tom says, “I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me.” What’s interesting (and hypocritical) about this line?
6. What is Daisy’s opinion of Gatsby’s party?
7. While the reader can have easily predicted Daisy and Tom’s reactions to his party, Gatsby cannot. Why not?
8. What is Nick’s view of repeating the past, and what is Gatsby’s opinion? Why is Gatsby’s opinion unrealistic?
2. Nick says, “So he [Gatsby] invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen-year-old boy would be likely
to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end.” For James Gatz, what does he expect the future Jay Gatsby’s life will be like? Specifically, at night, what sets James’ heart “in a constant, turbulent” riot?
3. To young Gatz, what does Dan Cody’s yacht represent?
4. Why does Gatsby not get the $25,000 left to him in Cody’s will? What lesson did young Gatsby likely learn from this incident?
5. After crossing paths with Gatsby, Tom says, “I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me.” What’s interesting (and hypocritical) about this line?
6. What is Daisy’s opinion of Gatsby’s party?
7. While the reader can have easily predicted Daisy and Tom’s reactions to his party, Gatsby cannot. Why not?
8. What is Nick’s view of repeating the past, and what is Gatsby’s opinion? Why is Gatsby’s opinion unrealistic?
Chapter 5 Review
1. What steps does Gatsby take to ensure his reunion day is perfect?
2. What's the weather like at the beginning chapter? Symbolically analyze this element of the scene.
3. Why does Gatsby take Nick and Daisy the long way around his house to the front door instead of just cutting through the back lawn?
4.When Nick asks Gatsby what business he is in, Gatsby responds, "That's my affair," before he realizes that this is not an appropriate reply. Why does Gatsby give that answer, and why is not it an appropriate reply?
5. Okay, let's talk about that scene with the shirts. Obviously Daisy is not crying because of the actual shirts. Analyze the passage and explain what, exactly, has caused Daisy to become to emotional as she wraps herself in all those shirts.
6. As the three of them look across the bay toward Daisy's house, Nick tells us, "Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever. Compared to that great distance that had separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her. It had seemed as close as a star to the moon. Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one." First, explain what Fitzgerald means by "the great distance" between Gatsby and Daisy. Then, explain the significance of the fact that the green light is now just a light on a dock and that Gatsby's "count of enchanted objects had diminished by one."
2. What's the weather like at the beginning chapter? Symbolically analyze this element of the scene.
3. Why does Gatsby take Nick and Daisy the long way around his house to the front door instead of just cutting through the back lawn?
4.When Nick asks Gatsby what business he is in, Gatsby responds, "That's my affair," before he realizes that this is not an appropriate reply. Why does Gatsby give that answer, and why is not it an appropriate reply?
5. Okay, let's talk about that scene with the shirts. Obviously Daisy is not crying because of the actual shirts. Analyze the passage and explain what, exactly, has caused Daisy to become to emotional as she wraps herself in all those shirts.
6. As the three of them look across the bay toward Daisy's house, Nick tells us, "Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever. Compared to that great distance that had separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her. It had seemed as close as a star to the moon. Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one." First, explain what Fitzgerald means by "the great distance" between Gatsby and Daisy. Then, explain the significance of the fact that the green light is now just a light on a dock and that Gatsby's "count of enchanted objects had diminished by one."
Chapter 4 Review
Vocabulary:
reputed
disconcerting
incredulous
modish
ambulatory
brood
benediction
Part I
Short Answer:
1. In the first two pages of the chapter, what list does our narrator provide us with? What do you think the purpose of this list is? (provide a quote to support your answer)
2. What is the purpose of Gatsby's visit? Where do they go?
3. What does Gatsby reveal to Nick while driving in the car? Does the narrator believe him? (Provide a quote to support your answer)
4. Who meets Gatsby and Nick for lunch? (offer a detailed description of this person) What business is he involved in? What does he reveal about Gatsby?
5. Who else do they see at lunch? How does Gatsby react to this person?
Part II
1. Paragraph Response: Summarize Jordan's story about daisy. Key Points: (How did Jordan meet Daisy? What type of family did she come from? What type of person did she appear to be? How did she meet Gatsby? How did she change after meeting Tom? What do we discover about Gatsby by the end of the chapter?)
reputed
disconcerting
incredulous
modish
ambulatory
brood
benediction
Part I
Short Answer:
1. In the first two pages of the chapter, what list does our narrator provide us with? What do you think the purpose of this list is? (provide a quote to support your answer)
2. What is the purpose of Gatsby's visit? Where do they go?
3. What does Gatsby reveal to Nick while driving in the car? Does the narrator believe him? (Provide a quote to support your answer)
4. Who meets Gatsby and Nick for lunch? (offer a detailed description of this person) What business is he involved in? What does he reveal about Gatsby?
5. Who else do they see at lunch? How does Gatsby react to this person?
Part II
1. Paragraph Response: Summarize Jordan's story about daisy. Key Points: (How did Jordan meet Daisy? What type of family did she come from? What type of person did she appear to be? How did she meet Gatsby? How did she change after meeting Tom? What do we discover about Gatsby by the end of the chapter?)
Chapter 3 Review
Vocabulary:
cataracts cordials permeate casier prodigality opal spectroscopic |
Vocabulary:
impetuously vacuous florid corpulent echolalia convivial obstetrical vinous subterfuges |
Short Answer:
1. What does our narrator observe about Gatsby's house during the summer?
2. What was different about Nick's attendance at Gatby's party opposed to his other guests?
3. Where do Gatsby's guests come from?
4. How does the quote, "they conducted themselves according to rules of behavior associated with an amusement park" help define the atmosphere of Gatby's parties?
5. At the beginning of the party, who does Nick have trouble finding? Why does he feel embarrassed? Who saved him?
6. What is known about Gatsby? (through the mingling dinner guests)
7. As the party continues, the narrator says, "I had taken two finger-bowls of champagne, and the scene had changed before my eyes into something significant, elemental, and profound." Besides experiencing intoxication, what change is he seeing around him?
8. How does Nick meet Gatsby?
Part II
9. "He smiled understandingly-much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced-or seemed to face-the whole external world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor." Interpret the narrator's statement here about Gatsby's smile. Does this reveal something about Gatsby? Does it reveal something about our narrator?
10. What does Gatsby request of Miss Baker?
11. What does Nick notice about the guests as the evening comes to a close? Provide a quote for support.
12. How does Nick usually spend his day?
13. How does Nick feel about New York? Provide a quote to support your answer
14. What conclusion does Nick come to about Jordan Baker? How does he come to this conclusion?
1. What does our narrator observe about Gatsby's house during the summer?
2. What was different about Nick's attendance at Gatby's party opposed to his other guests?
3. Where do Gatsby's guests come from?
4. How does the quote, "they conducted themselves according to rules of behavior associated with an amusement park" help define the atmosphere of Gatby's parties?
5. At the beginning of the party, who does Nick have trouble finding? Why does he feel embarrassed? Who saved him?
6. What is known about Gatsby? (through the mingling dinner guests)
7. As the party continues, the narrator says, "I had taken two finger-bowls of champagne, and the scene had changed before my eyes into something significant, elemental, and profound." Besides experiencing intoxication, what change is he seeing around him?
8. How does Nick meet Gatsby?
Part II
9. "He smiled understandingly-much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced-or seemed to face-the whole external world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor." Interpret the narrator's statement here about Gatsby's smile. Does this reveal something about Gatsby? Does it reveal something about our narrator?
10. What does Gatsby request of Miss Baker?
11. What does Nick notice about the guests as the evening comes to a close? Provide a quote for support.
12. How does Nick usually spend his day?
13. How does Nick feel about New York? Provide a quote to support your answer
14. What conclusion does Nick come to about Jordan Baker? How does he come to this conclusion?
Chapters 1 and 2 review
Vocabulary:
feigned-simulated or pretended; insincere.
riotous- marked by or involving public disorder
superficial- existing or occurring at or on the surface.
supercilious- behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others.
fractiousness- unruliness: the trait of being prone to disobedience and lack of discipline
languid- weak or faint from illness or fatigue.
deft- neatly skillful and quick in one's movements.
complacency- a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements.
transcendent- beyond or above the range of normal or merely physical human experience.
Chapter 1:
Short Answer:
1. What is the name of our narrator? What is his background? Why does he move out east?
2. In the introduction, how does the narrator describe himself? (particularly in relationship to reserving judgement)
3. Describe the setting of the book. (Where the narrator lives, what it's like, the surrounding area etc.)
Paragraph Response: Describe the nature of the get together between Nick, Tom, Daisy and Jordan. Key Points: What was the conversation like? What was the atmosphere or mood? Which characters' interactions were most notable? Provide one quote to support your response.
Chapter 2
Short Answer:
1. Describe the valley of ashes. Where is it located? Who lives and works there? What does it look like?
2. Who does Tom insist on our narrator meeting?
3. Describe George Wilson. How does Tom treat him?
4. Describe Myrtle. What does she look and act like. Use a quote to help define her personality.
5. Paragraph Response: Throughout the chapter, our narrator mentions the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg several times. What do you think the significance of this is? Provide a quote to support your answer.
feigned-simulated or pretended; insincere.
riotous- marked by or involving public disorder
superficial- existing or occurring at or on the surface.
supercilious- behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others.
fractiousness- unruliness: the trait of being prone to disobedience and lack of discipline
languid- weak or faint from illness or fatigue.
deft- neatly skillful and quick in one's movements.
complacency- a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements.
transcendent- beyond or above the range of normal or merely physical human experience.
Chapter 1:
Short Answer:
1. What is the name of our narrator? What is his background? Why does he move out east?
2. In the introduction, how does the narrator describe himself? (particularly in relationship to reserving judgement)
3. Describe the setting of the book. (Where the narrator lives, what it's like, the surrounding area etc.)
Paragraph Response: Describe the nature of the get together between Nick, Tom, Daisy and Jordan. Key Points: What was the conversation like? What was the atmosphere or mood? Which characters' interactions were most notable? Provide one quote to support your response.
Chapter 2
Short Answer:
1. Describe the valley of ashes. Where is it located? Who lives and works there? What does it look like?
2. Who does Tom insist on our narrator meeting?
3. Describe George Wilson. How does Tom treat him?
4. Describe Myrtle. What does she look and act like. Use a quote to help define her personality.
5. Paragraph Response: Throughout the chapter, our narrator mentions the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg several times. What do you think the significance of this is? Provide a quote to support your answer.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (or, in more recent editions, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) is a novel by Mark Twain, first published in England in December 1884 and in the United States in February 1885. Commonly named among the Great American Novels, the work is among the first in major American literature to be written throughout in vernacular English, characterized by local color regionalism. It is told in the first person by Huckleberry "Huck" Finn, a friend of Tom Sawyer and narrator of two other Twain novels (Tom Sawyer Abroad and Tom Sawyer, Detective). It is a direct sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
The book is noted for its colorful description of people and places along the Mississippi River. Set in a Southern antebellum society that had ceased to exist about twenty years before the work was published, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an often scathing satire on entrenched attitudes, particularly racism.
Perennially popular with readers, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has also been the continued object of study by literary critics since its publication. It was criticized upon release because of its coarse language and became even more controversial in the 20th century because of its perceived use of racial stereotypes and because of its frequent use of the racial slur "nigger", despite strong arguments that the protagonist, and the tenor of the book, is anti-racist.
The book is noted for its colorful description of people and places along the Mississippi River. Set in a Southern antebellum society that had ceased to exist about twenty years before the work was published, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an often scathing satire on entrenched attitudes, particularly racism.
Perennially popular with readers, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has also been the continued object of study by literary critics since its publication. It was criticized upon release because of its coarse language and became even more controversial in the 20th century because of its perceived use of racial stereotypes and because of its frequent use of the racial slur "nigger", despite strong arguments that the protagonist, and the tenor of the book, is anti-racist.
As we read:
As we read Huckleberry Finn, we are going to keep regular summaries and journals in order to keep track of literary devices, main events and characters. We will also be recording and defining vocabulary.
Themes:
hypocrisy of "civilized" society
Racism and Slavery
Intellectual and Moral Education
Freedom
Isolation and loneliness that we all experience
Huck's "birth" and "rebirth"
As we read Huckleberry Finn, we are going to keep regular summaries and journals in order to keep track of literary devices, main events and characters. We will also be recording and defining vocabulary.
Themes:
hypocrisy of "civilized" society
Racism and Slavery
Intellectual and Moral Education
Freedom
Isolation and loneliness that we all experience
Huck's "birth" and "rebirth"
Huck Finn Final Writing
The critical essay for the novel Huck Finn will require you to write about a specific quotation and who how it relates to the theme. Themes covered during out reading:
Essay Layout:
Paragraph 1: Your introduction should include a thesis statement that identifies the quotation you will use. It will also include an explanation of how it relates to one of the book's themes. This will be a short paragraph.
Paragraph 2: This paragraph should explain how the quote exemplifies/reveals/informs one of the themes. Essentially, you will be explaining why you decided this quote is related to theme. This paragraph must be well developed. Include textual support and be sure to full explain your example.
Paragraph 3: A short conclusion that restates your main ideas.
Fin.
- hypocrisy of "civilized" society
- Racism and Slavery
- Intellectual and Moral Education
- Freedom
- Isolation and loneliness that we all experience
- Huck's "birth" and "rebirth"
Essay Layout:
Paragraph 1: Your introduction should include a thesis statement that identifies the quotation you will use. It will also include an explanation of how it relates to one of the book's themes. This will be a short paragraph.
Paragraph 2: This paragraph should explain how the quote exemplifies/reveals/informs one of the themes. Essentially, you will be explaining why you decided this quote is related to theme. This paragraph must be well developed. Include textual support and be sure to full explain your example.
Paragraph 3: A short conclusion that restates your main ideas.
Fin.
Writing Home
Writing activity:
Choose one character from our novel, and write a 'mock' letter home describing an event that took place in the book from that character's perspective. Obviously capturing Twain's writing style is going to be difficult, so you're going to have to utilize aspects of his writing in order to write the letter.
You should utilize:
Location and period specific vocabulary (south, 1800s)
specific names of places and locations (Pikesville, the wrecked steamboat, pap's cabin)
recurring use of stylistic grammar and word choices (sivilize, dasn't, reckon, by and by, etc.)
Requirements:
Handwritten
One-page in length
Should include direct references to the book
Choose one character from our novel, and write a 'mock' letter home describing an event that took place in the book from that character's perspective. Obviously capturing Twain's writing style is going to be difficult, so you're going to have to utilize aspects of his writing in order to write the letter.
You should utilize:
Location and period specific vocabulary (south, 1800s)
specific names of places and locations (Pikesville, the wrecked steamboat, pap's cabin)
recurring use of stylistic grammar and word choices (sivilize, dasn't, reckon, by and by, etc.)
Requirements:
Handwritten
One-page in length
Should include direct references to the book
ADVENTURE map
Jim and Huck's Adventure Time Map | |
File Size: | 41 kb |
File Type: | jpg |
Chapters 39, 40
Characters:
Unclse Silas
Aunt Sally
Vocabulary:
allycumpain
frock
brash
Journals: Choose one:
Unclse Silas
Aunt Sally
Vocabulary:
allycumpain
frock
brash
Journals: Choose one:
- Discuss the result of Jim's escape. Did you expect Tom's plan to turn out like it did? How was it different? (or similar)
Discuss Jim's reasoning for getting Tom a doctor. Why did Jim want to get a doctor for Tim? What might this tell us about Jim?
Discuss Huck's position during the planning of the escape and the escape itself. How does Huck perceive the situation? What would he want to do as an alternative to Tom's plans?
Chapters 33, 34, 35
Journals:
- Discuss the similarities and differences between the personalities of Huck and Tom (use textual support for your answer). Based on these, why do you think they are friends?
- Why does Tom find it necessary to develop an elaborate plan to free Jim? Why doesn't Huck seem to understand his reasoning?
Chapters 30-32
Vocabulary:
Journals:
On page 214, Huck goes through mental anguish as he debates a decision to save Jim or to admit to Miss Watson that he had aided Jim in escaping. On one hand, he believes he will go to hell for the sin he committed, on the other hand Jim has been such a good and loyal friend, that he doesn't think he deserves being a slave away from his family. What is hypocritical about what Huck believes will send him to hell?
- Temperance
- Shirk
Journals:
On page 214, Huck goes through mental anguish as he debates a decision to save Jim or to admit to Miss Watson that he had aided Jim in escaping. On one hand, he believes he will go to hell for the sin he committed, on the other hand Jim has been such a good and loyal friend, that he doesn't think he deserves being a slave away from his family. What is hypocritical about what Huck believes will send him to hell?
Chapters 24-29 Adventures with the Duke and The King
Vocabulary:
Journals for 24, 25, 26:
- hare-lip
- doxolojer (doxology)
- passel
melodeum - garret
- shoal
- girafft
- sluice
- smouch
Journals for 24, 25, 26:
- It is evident in the book, through Huck's inner dialogue, that he is going through moral or mental changes as he travels down the Mississippi. These changes represent a theme of "rebirth." Discuss Huck's "rebrith" as he learns something new with each adventure. What has he learned? How has this changed him (thoughts, actions)? Use textual evidence to support your answer.
- As Huck moves from town to town, he encounters many people who would be considered members of "civilized" society. However, as the story progresses, we see another side of society that would contradict this idea (of being "civilized"). How have the people of these societies contradicted the idea of being civilized.
Chapters 21, 22, 23
Vocabulary:
- loafer
- parasol
- capering
- rapscallions
Journals for 21, 22, 23
How does Huck describe Arkansas? What might this tell us about Twain's opinion of Arkansas?
Chapters 19, 20
Characters:
Vocabulary:
Journals for 19, 20:
- Young Lad (Duke)
- Bald-Head (The King
Vocabulary:
- galoot
- scow
- galluses
Journals for 19, 20:
- Describe the similarities (and differences) between the Duke and King, and Huck.
Chapters 16, 17, 18
Characters:
Vocabulary:
Journals:
Choose one from each chapter.
Chapter 16:
Chapter 17:
Chapters 16, 17 and 18:
- Buck
- The Shepherdsons
- The Grangerfords
- Colonel Grangerford
- Emmeline Grangerford
Vocabulary:
- Decanter
- pommel
- quarrel
- feud
- ornery
- puncheon
- cavorting
Journals:
Choose one from each chapter.
Chapter 16:
- In the beginning of chapter 16, Huck has an inner struggle over the decisions he has made and over the his current situation. Discuss, using examples, how he manages (or works over) this problem with himself.
- Huck does a lot of self-contemplation over turning Jim in, and in a quick decision decides against it. Why do YOU think he decided against turning Jim in? Provide Examples.
Chapter 17:
- Why do you think Huck spent so much time describing Emmeline? What did he find so interesting about her? Contrast Emmeline and Huck.
- Why does the Grangerford house fascinate Huck? What insight does this give us to Huck's understanding of people of the south?
- Describe the feud between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons. Does this type of feuding exist today?
Chapters 16, 17 and 18:
- There are several examples in these chapters of Huck's clever and cunning nature. Find these examples and relate them to specific skills that Huck maintains. (knowledge of the outdoors, knowledge of southern peoples, knowledge of the river etc.)
From the Autobiography of Mark Twain
From the Autobiography of Mark Twain | |
File Size: | 34 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Autobiography:
As we read through Mark Twain's autobiography, highlight, or make notations about his personal life in relationship to:
In a half to one page response, discuss the similarities between Twain's life and the life of Huckleberry Finn (you may focus on one aspect if you like).
Questions to consider:
As we read through Mark Twain's autobiography, highlight, or make notations about his personal life in relationship to:
- slavery
- African-Americans
- Education
- Superstition
- The Outdoors
- Twain's attention to detail
- His family members and relatives
In a half to one page response, discuss the similarities between Twain's life and the life of Huckleberry Finn (you may focus on one aspect if you like).
Questions to consider:
- What about Mark Twain's real life influenced Huckleberry Finn's opinion of slavery?
- Where did Twain get the knowledge of the outdoors to instill in Huck Finn?
- How was superstition evident in Twain's life?
- From where did Mark Twain inherit his opinion about African-Americans? How does he present this in the book?
- As we read, Huckleberry reveals a more empathetic side of his personality than we have previously seen. Assuming Twain is representing an empathetic side in himself, how does he represent this in Huck?
Chapters 13-15
Journal Entry:
Vocabulary:
- Discuss Huck's sense of empathy (for the robbers, or for Jim). Did you expect this from Huck? Why do you think he feels this way?
- Discuss Jim's recollection and interpretation of his dream. How do you think Jim feels about Huck? Why do you think he feels this way?
Vocabulary:
- prowled
- careened
Chapters 9-12
Characters:
Journal Entry:
Chapters 9-12
Vocabulary:
- Judith Loftus
- Jake Packard
- Jim Turner
- Bill
Journal Entry:
Chapters 9-12
- Describe the relationship that Huck and Jim have developed. What does this reveal about Huck's character? Does he seem to view Jim like other characters do?
- In chapter 12, Jim and Huck discuss which goods they should steal, and which goods they shouldn't (farm animals, produce). Where did this idea originally come from (in the book)? What does this tell us about Huck's morals?
Vocabulary:
- curry-comb
- wigwam
- labboard (larboard)
- towhead
Chapters 1-8
Characters:
Record these characters into your notebook or iPad and give each one a description. As we read, we'll be adding to these descriptions.
Journal Entry:
Chapters 1-4
Chapters 5-8
Vocabulary:
Record these characters into your notebook or iPad and give each one a description. As we read, we'll be adding to these descriptions.
- Huckleberry Finn
- Tom Sawyer
- The Widow
- Miss Watson
- Judge Thatcher
- Jim
- Huck's Father
Journal Entry:
Chapters 1-4
- Discuss how Huck and Tom act as foils of one another.
- Discuss that character implications of Huck's "questioning" nature.
Chapters 5-8
- Discuss Huck Finn's ability to survive outside of civilization. How does this contrast with his level of formal education?
- We are left with the meeting of Huck and Jim. What do you predict will happen next. Why?
Vocabulary:
- ornery
- Providence
- ambuscade
- scoured
- betwixt
- abolitionist
- skiff
- whippoorwill
- meddle
- palavering
- quicksilver
- brash
- lolled
- whetstone
- fantod
The Scarlet Letter is an 1850 romantic work of fiction in a historical setting, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is considered to be his magnum opus. Set in 17th-century Puritan Boston, Massachusetts during the years 1642 to 1649, it tells the story of Hester Prynne, who conceives a daughter through an adulterous affair and struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity. Throughout the book, Hawthorne explores themes of legalism, sin and guilt.
The Scarlet Letter Essay Rubric
Essay Requirements:
- 500-700 words
- Typed, MLA Format
- Due: Tuesday, October 22nd.
Below you will find the rubric that will be used to grade your essays:
Essay Rubric | |
File Size: | 67 kb |
File Type: |
Creating A Thesis
1.Determine what kind of paper you are writing:
2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.
3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.
4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.
source: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/1/
Additional Resource:
- An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
- An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
- An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.
2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.
3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.
4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.
source: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/1/
Additional Resource:
literary_thesis.pdf | |
File Size: | 347 kb |
File Type: |
Possible Essay Topics:
- Explain how The Scarlet Letter may be read as a “psychological novel.” You may want to focus on the psychological nature of one or two characters, or you may want to trace a particular aspect of psychology across a number of characters. You should familiarize yourself with at least some basic concepts of psychology (repression, the unconscious, etc.) and the appropriate terms used to describe them.
- Do you consider Hester to be a strong female character? Or, to put it in another way, is The Scarlet Letter a feminist novel? You will need to provide, first, your own definition of the term “feminist” before you move on to your argument about the topic.
- What is the significance of nature in The Scarlet Letter? What are some of the ways in which Hawthorne use aspects of nature or natural settings in the novel, and what do you make of these representations?
- What do you make of Hawthorne’s character Pearl? Although she at first appears to be a secondary character in the novel, Pearl figures significantly into many of the novel’s key narrative events. How do Pearl’s actions represent her distinct identity? What is Pearl’s significance in the novel as a whole (and do not forget to consider what happens to Pearl at the conclusion of the narrative)?
- The novel makes extensive use of symbols. Discuss the difference between the Puritans’’ use of symbols (the meteor, for example) and the way that the narrator makes use of symbols. Do both have religious implications? Do symbols foreshadow events or simply comment on them after the fact? How do they help the characters understand their lives, and how do they help the reader understand Hawthorne’s book?
- Children play a variety of roles in this novel. Pearl is both a blessing and a curse to Hester, and she seems at times to serve as Hester’s conscience. The town children, on the other hand, are cruel and brutally honest about their opinion of Hester and Pearl. Why are children presented as more perceptive and more honest than adults? How do children differ from adults in their potential for expressing these perceptions?
Once you've reviewed these questions, develop a possible thesis by answering the question.
Example:
Number 3 (Analytical) : In, The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses the element of nature as additional commentary on characters, as well as, a way to contrast traits between different characters.
Chapters 16-19 Study Guide Questions
Chapter 16:
1. Where has Hester decided to meet Aurthur Dimmesdale? What does she plan to do?
2. Describe this meeting place? Who or what is is rumored to frequent there?
3. "But the brook, in the course of its little lifetime among the forest trees, had gone through so solemn an experience that it could not help talking about it and seemed to have nothing else to say. Pearl resembled the brook, inasmuch as the current of her life gushed from a wellspring as mysterious, and had flowed through scenes shadowed as heavily with gloom. But, unlike the little stream, she danced and sparkled, and prattled airily along her course." Explain the comparison that Hawthorne makes here between Pearl and the brook.
Chapter 17:
1. As they converse, how does Dimmesdale feel about his current state of being?
2. How does Hester attempt to comfort him?
3. What does Hester reveal to Dimmesdale? How does he respond?
4. What does Hester suggest in order for Dimmesdale to regain his spiritual and bodily health? How does Dimmesdale respond?
Chapter 18:
1. What have Hester and Dimmesdale decided to do?
2. What new transformation does Hester go through? Be specific.
3. How does Dimmesdale feel about children? Why has this become a problem?
4. At the end of the chapter, Hawthorne personifies the woods and its creatures. How do they react to Pearl?
Chapter 19:
1. From a distance, how does Dimmesdale observe Pearl? (Opinion of her)
2. What does Hester warn Dimmesdale about Pearl before she approaches?
3. Why wont Pearl approach Hester and Dimmesdale? What causes her to have an emotional reaction?
4. What does Hester do to pacify her?
5. What does Dimmesdale give Pearl in hopes of gaining her affection? How does she react?
1. Where has Hester decided to meet Aurthur Dimmesdale? What does she plan to do?
2. Describe this meeting place? Who or what is is rumored to frequent there?
3. "But the brook, in the course of its little lifetime among the forest trees, had gone through so solemn an experience that it could not help talking about it and seemed to have nothing else to say. Pearl resembled the brook, inasmuch as the current of her life gushed from a wellspring as mysterious, and had flowed through scenes shadowed as heavily with gloom. But, unlike the little stream, she danced and sparkled, and prattled airily along her course." Explain the comparison that Hawthorne makes here between Pearl and the brook.
Chapter 17:
1. As they converse, how does Dimmesdale feel about his current state of being?
2. How does Hester attempt to comfort him?
3. What does Hester reveal to Dimmesdale? How does he respond?
4. What does Hester suggest in order for Dimmesdale to regain his spiritual and bodily health? How does Dimmesdale respond?
Chapter 18:
1. What have Hester and Dimmesdale decided to do?
2. What new transformation does Hester go through? Be specific.
3. How does Dimmesdale feel about children? Why has this become a problem?
4. At the end of the chapter, Hawthorne personifies the woods and its creatures. How do they react to Pearl?
Chapter 19:
1. From a distance, how does Dimmesdale observe Pearl? (Opinion of her)
2. What does Hester warn Dimmesdale about Pearl before she approaches?
3. Why wont Pearl approach Hester and Dimmesdale? What causes her to have an emotional reaction?
4. What does Hester do to pacify her?
5. What does Dimmesdale give Pearl in hopes of gaining her affection? How does she react?
Chapter 15 Study Guide Questions
1. How does Hester declare she feels about Chillingworth?
2. How does Pearl behave by the ocean? What does this say about her character?
3. "Dost thou know, child, wherefore thy mother wears this letter?"
"Truly do I!" answered Pearl, looking brightly into her mother's face. "It is for the same reason that the minister keeps his hand
over his heart!" What type of irony is displayed here? Support your answer with reasoning.
4. Throughout this chapter, what has pearl been so persistent about?
2. How does Pearl behave by the ocean? What does this say about her character?
3. "Dost thou know, child, wherefore thy mother wears this letter?"
"Truly do I!" answered Pearl, looking brightly into her mother's face. "It is for the same reason that the minister keeps his hand
over his heart!" What type of irony is displayed here? Support your answer with reasoning.
4. Throughout this chapter, what has pearl been so persistent about?
Chapter 14 Study Guide Questions
1. Where do Hester and Chillingworth meet?
2. What does Hester accuse Chillingworth of doing?
3. How does Chillingworth defend himself against her accusation?
4. In this discussion, Roger Chillingworth reveals some self-awareness. What does he say Dimmesdale has done to him?
2. What does Hester accuse Chillingworth of doing?
3. How does Chillingworth defend himself against her accusation?
4. In this discussion, Roger Chillingworth reveals some self-awareness. What does he say Dimmesdale has done to him?
Chapter 13 Study Guide Questions
1. What has Hester discovered about Mr. Dimmesdale?
2. Some time has passed between chapters 12 and 13. How has Hester Changed?
3. How does Hester occupy her time?
4. How do the townspeople feel about Hester now? How do they now refer to the "A" on her bosom?
5. What does Hester decide to do at the end of the chapter?
2. Some time has passed between chapters 12 and 13. How has Hester Changed?
3. How does Hester occupy her time?
4. How do the townspeople feel about Hester now? How do they now refer to the "A" on her bosom?
5. What does Hester decide to do at the end of the chapter?
Chapters 11 and 12 Irony Practice
irony_worksheet.doc | |
File Size: | 23 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Chapter 11 and 12
For this exercise, briefly summarize chapters 11 and 12 (10 sentence minimum for each chapter). As a focus for each summary, provide developments or changes that have occured in both Roger Chillingworth and Arthur Dimmesdale. Support your claims with evidence from the text (include page numbers).
Due on Tuesday October 1st.
20 points.
Due on Tuesday October 1st.
20 points.
The Scarlet Letter Mini-Essay
Mini-Essay on The Scarlet Letter
Due Monday the 23rd
Requirements:
·300-500 words double spaced
·MLA format
·Citations required
Assignment:
In this essay, you will explore the events and characters that have developed in the book so far, and make a prediction on future events based on evidence from the novel. For this assignment I would like you to analyze our four main characters: Hester Prynne, Roger Chillingworth, Arthur Dimmesdale and Pearl. Discuss their thoughts and/or actions up to this point in the novel and make a prediction as to what they might do, or who they might have significant interactions with, and what might be the result of those interactions. Your analysis should contain cited references to the text in order to support your prediction.
Due Monday the 23rd
Requirements:
·300-500 words double spaced
·MLA format
·Citations required
Assignment:
In this essay, you will explore the events and characters that have developed in the book so far, and make a prediction on future events based on evidence from the novel. For this assignment I would like you to analyze our four main characters: Hester Prynne, Roger Chillingworth, Arthur Dimmesdale and Pearl. Discuss their thoughts and/or actions up to this point in the novel and make a prediction as to what they might do, or who they might have significant interactions with, and what might be the result of those interactions. Your analysis should contain cited references to the text in order to support your prediction.
Response: In a short journal response, describe your experience writing the essay:
What did you find difficult? What did you find easy?
What would help make the process easier?
What did you find difficult? What did you find easy?
What would help make the process easier?
Chapter 8 Quiz: The Elf-Child and the Minister
1. Whom did Hester meet outside at the Governor's Hall? (I will accept a first name, last name, or job title)
2. What was the focus of their discussion?
3. How did Hester defend her right to keep Pearl?
4. Who agreed with Hester and her right to keep the child? What was his argument?
2. What was the focus of their discussion?
3. How did Hester defend her right to keep Pearl?
4. Who agreed with Hester and her right to keep the child? What was his argument?
Chapter 7 Quiz: The Governor's Hall
1. Why did Hester decide to visit the Governor's Hall? (include all reasons)
2. According to the author, Pearl is the embodiment of what?
3. What happened Hester and Pearl on their way there? How did Pearl Respond?
4. What did Hester and Pearl find in the Hall that was particularly interesting? Describe both of their reactions to this item.
2. According to the author, Pearl is the embodiment of what?
3. What happened Hester and Pearl on their way there? How did Pearl Respond?
4. What did Hester and Pearl find in the Hall that was particularly interesting? Describe both of their reactions to this item.