by Henrik Ibsen Summer Reading 2017-2018 -...

by Henrik Ibsen

Summer Reading 2017-2018

AP Literature and Composition

Erica Plummer & Whitney Borup

Reading Guide

1. From the beginning of Act I, Torvald calls Nora several pet names. What do these names suggest about Torvald’s perception of his wife and his marriage?

2. Compare Nora’s and Kristine’s lives since marriage. Who is better off? Explain.

3. What might be the link between Nora’s “contraband” macaroons and her “huge desire to say –

to hell and be damned?”

4. What crime has Nora committed?

5. Do Nora’s motives for committing the crime excuse her in some way?

6. What does Nora’s tree decorating and chattering at the end of Act I reveal about her character?

Act I

1. When Nora sees the box of masquerade clothes, she wants to “rip them in a million pieces!”

2. What does Ibsen symbolize with this characterization?

3. Discuss the foreshadowing in Nora’s conversation with Anne-Marie.

4. Why does Torvald make such a decisive show of mailing the letter firing Krogstad against Nora’s

pleas?

5. After Dr. Rank professes his love, Nora demands the lamp be brought in. Why? Is this light real

or artificial? What might Ibsen be suggesting about truth and light in the Helmer’s household?

6. Some histories of the tarantella dance explain that it is used to fight off the venomous effects of

a spider bite. Other interpretations suggest it represents a woman’s frustration in oppression. Which of these explanations best fits Nora’s violent practice at the end of Act II? Might both apply? Explain.

Act II

After reading the entire play, write a five-paragraph essay in which you develop a deeper understanding of one of the play’s significant themes. 1. A Doll’s House is full of references to dolls, puppets, and

playthings. Trace these references throughout the play while summarizing Ibsen’s ideas about gender and societal roles.

2. When Nora submits to Torvald, telling him, “Whatever you do is

always right,” Torvald replies, “Now my little lark’s talking like a human being.” But later, Nora says “Before all else, I’m a human being.” Compare and contrast Torvald’s and Nora’s definitions of “human being.”

3. Ibsen infuses his play with vivid dramatic devices such as the many

artificial lights, the letter hitting the mailbox, and the slamming door. How does the dramatic genre help tell the playwright’s story in a manner unparalleled by the novel form?

4. Consider the character of Torvald Helmer. Is Torvald an

antagonist? A misogynist? Or could Torvald be just as much a victim of nineteenth century societal norms as Nora? Discuss.

5. Many Ibsen critics argue that A Doll’s House is not a feminist

play, and is more about asserting self, regardless of gender. Yet Joan Templeton, in her afterword to the Signet Classics edition of Ibsen: Four Major Plays Volume I, disagrees, asserting that “Make (Nora) a man, and the play becomes not only ludicrous, but impossible.” What do you think? Is A Doll’s House a play about feminism or humanism? Explain.

6. Why are there so many references to sickness and fever in A Doll’s

House? Trace these references throughout the play. What broader concern for society might Ibsen be expressing?

Essay Topics

by Chinua Achebe




Reading Guide

Research 10 Fact about Nigeria:

1. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Character Foils: chapters 1-3The author is creating a foil when two characters are developed in such a way that they contrast dramatically to highlight each other’s traits. For example, the meanness, vanity, and homeliness of Cinderella’s stepsisters make Cinderella look more virtuous; the two lazy little pigs make the third look even more hardworking. Listed below are character traits associated with Okonkwo or Unoka. Place an O by characteristics of the son, a U by traits of the father, and both letters for items that pertain to both characters.

___ 1. Brought honor to his village through

winning a wrestling match

___ 2. Lazy, does not like to work hard

___ 3. Physically huge

___ 4. Severe-looking, bushy eyebrows

___ 5. Breaks kola nuts to start a visit

___ 6. Has no barns full of yams

___ 7. Has a stammer

___ 8. Buys palm-wine to treat his friends

when he has money

___ 9. When frustrated, uses his fists

instead of words

___ 10. Has no patience with

unsuccessful men

___ 11. Very good flute player

___ 12. Has several barns full of yams

___ 13. Has no property of any value

___ 14. Uses proverbs to make a point

___ 15. Nag his son to work harder

___ 16. Wealthy farmer

___ 17. Loves to talk

___ 18. Has three wives and many children

___ 19. Strongly dislikes war

___ 20. Has taken two titles

___ 21. Remembers fondly the happy days

of his childhood

___ 22. Great warrior

___ 23. Loves music and dance

___ 24. Very thin and slightly stooped

___ 25. Revered by his people for strength and

courage

___ 26. Does not pay debts

___ 27. Sent to demand an ultimatum

from neighboring village

___ 28. Tall in stature

___ 29. Coward in wartime

___ 30. Happiest when playing the flute

with other musicians

___ 31. Hates gentleness

___ 32. Scolded by the Oracle for

not farming well

___ 33. Hates idleness

___ 34. A debtor who owes money

to neighbors

___ 35. Loves good fellowship

___ 36. Has no titles

1. How are Okonkwo and Unoka foils to each other?

2. Would you rather have Okonkwo or Unoka as a father? Why?

Life in Igbo Societychapters 4–6 Review what you have learned in chapters 1-6 about life in Umuofia 1. What is The Week of Peace?

2. What is the New Yam Festival?

3. What are some crops found in Umuofia?

4. What do the villagers do after the Week of Peace?

5. How are family units formed?

6. In what gods and rituals do the villagers believe?

7. What are the rules surrounding wrestling?

Describe the differences between traditional Igbo society and Herriman, Utah culture. Consider topics such as holidays, sources of food, the modern American family, religious beliefs, and sports. Are there drives of human nature that are shared by both groups?

What do you think would happen if someone from one of these societies was suddenly dropped into the other?

Questions chapter 7 & 8 1. What influence did Ikemefuna have on Nwoye?

2. How did the boys help their father during the days after the harvest?

3. What message did Ogbuefi Ezeudu bring? How did Okonkwo explain the trip to Ikemefuna?

4. What typical child’s game did Ikemefuna play when he feared his mother was dead? Why were his fears ironic?

5. How did Nwoye react to Ikemefuna’s death? How was he different from his father and the other men?

6. Why couldn’t Obierika and Okonkwo tap their own palm trees?

7. What kind of stories did Okonkwo tell the boys? What stories did Nwoye prefer?

8. Why were the people happy to see the locusts come? How did they use them?

9. Describe the appearance of the men on their way to the execution. What did they carry?

10. Why did Okonkwo strike the last blow? Where did his fear originate?

11. What did Okonkwo’s illness tell about him? What was Obierika’s reaction?

12. What is a bride-price? How did the two families settle the bride-price?

A Trial in Umuofia chapters 9–10 In Things Fall Apart, a legal case involves a woman who has been beaten daily by her husband. Other textual examples of domestic violence include Okonkwo, who beats his wives and children when he is angry and even shoots at one of them who displeases him. While domestic violence is an issue in Igbo culture, it is important to remember that violence against women and children is still a problem in our own contemporary society. The egwugwu must hear from the plaintiff, Uzowulu, who complains that his brothers-in-law have beaten him and taken his wife and children; he wants his bride-price returned. The wife’s brothers respond that Uzowulu has beaten her every day of the marriage, even causing a miscarriage. The trial mixes the belief of ancestral deities with the administration of justice. Answer the following questions regarding the trial. 1. What is the purpose of the masks worn by the egwugwu in Umofia?

2. Who actually wears the mask?

3. What else do they wear?

4. Does any one else know who they are?

5. How do the other villagers, particularly women and children, respond to the egwugwu?

6. Why do the egwugwu wear these costumes?

7. What is the decision of the egwugwu regarding Uzowulu and his wife?

8. Do you agree with this decision?

African Folktales and Proverbschapter 11 Chinua Achebe uses a number of folktales in Things Fall Apart to familiarize his readers with Igbo culture and to give us insights into the Igbo value system. Refer to the story of how the Tortoise broke his shell in chapter 11 and answer the following questions: 1. How did the Igbo use these stories for entertainment?

2. Does the Tortoise story teach a lesson?

3. What does Okonkwo think of these stories?

4. Do you agree with Okonkwo, or do these stories have value for men as well?

Questions chapters 13–15 1. Based on your reading of Things Fall Apart so far, why do you think Okonkwo is particularly

aware of gender?

2. Why does Okonkwo go to his mother’s village, Mbanta?

3. How is he perceived by his relatives there?

4. What happened to Okonkwo’s home in Umuofia? It was destroyed

5. Why is his life destroyed because of an accidental death?

Read Uchendu’s speech at the end of chapter 14, and answer the following questions. 6. What main points is Uchendu trying to make?

7. Why doesn’t Okonkwo know the answers?

8. Why does Obierika visit Okonkwo?

9. What does this tell you about Obierika?

10. What news does his bring?

The Arrival of the Christians chapters 16–19 In Chapters 16–19 Chinua Achebe illustrates the coning of the missionaries to Mbanta in the waning years of Okonkwo’s exile. Describe the reaction of the Mbanta’s to the Christian Missionaries’ actions.

One white and five African missionaires arrive in Mbanta and preach.

The missionaries declare their intent to live n the village.

The missionaries preach about Jesus and the Trinity.

The missionaries sing hymns.

The missionaries ask for land to build a church.

The missionaries build their church.

The missionaries survive for seven market weeks, the longest the people think possible.

The missionaries start rescuing twins from the bush.

Converts threaten to burn the shrines of the Mbanta gos.

The missionaries welcome the osu (outcasts) into the church.

The osu convert kills the royal python.

Compare and Contrastchapters 20–22 Write a two paragraph compare and contrast essay of the differences between Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith who build and run a church in Umuofia.

Conclusion23–End The novel illustrates the conflict-filled interaction of the cultures of British imperialism and Nigerian traditionalism. Read aloud the last paragraph of the book and answer this question: To what extent is this paragraph an example of irony?

Why do you think Achebe ended the book this way?

by William Faulkner



AS I LAYDYING


Reading Guide

APEnglishLiteratureandComposition

Name:_________________________________________________________Period:____________

INTRODUCTIONTOWILLIAMFAULKNER’SASILAYDYING

WilliamFaulknerwasbornonSeptember25,1897,inNewAlbany,Mississippi,toaSouthernfamilydescendedfromaCivilWarColonel.Hewrotepoetryasateenager,buthisbiggestwishwastofightasapilotinWorldWarI.TooshortfortheU.S.AirForce,hejoinedtheCanadianRoyalFlyingCorpswherehewasintrainingwhenthewarended.Disappointed,FaulknerreturnedhomeandattendedtheUniversityofMississippiinOxford.Hewrote,heldandlostanumberofjobs,andstruggledtogainrecognitionforthenexttenyears.In1930hewrotehisfifthnovel,AsILayDying.SeveralyearslaterhewenttoHollywoodwhereheworkedasascreenwriter.Afterhebecamefinanciallysuccessfulasawriter,hepreferredtoliveinOxford,Mississippi,wherehecontinuedtowrite.Peopleconsideredhimaneccentricandunfriendlyrecluse,andheleftOxfordrarely,spendingoneyearaswriter-in-residenceatTheUniversityofVirginia.HediedonJuly6,1962.In1997,abronzestatueofFaulknerwasplacedinthetownsquareinOxford.AsILayDyingisacomplicatednovelthatdelvesintotheconsciousnessoffifteendifferentnarrators.Readingastorytoldbysomanynarratorsremindsusthatrealityisexperiencedandperceivedbyeachofusaccordingtoourownconcernsandbeliefs.AsreadersofFaulkner,webecomedetectives,siftingevidencebroughtbyavarietyofwitnesses,somemorereliablethanothers.Faulknerclaimshewrotethenovelfrommidnightto4:00AMinsixweeks.Whetherornotwebelievethisstory,thenovelcertainlyhasakindofrushed,hecticpace.Setintheruralsouthduringthe1920s,thenoveldepictsalifewithoutmosttypesofmoderntechnology,transportation,andamusements.Experiencingaworldinwhichthejourneytoanearbytownbecomesanepicadventurerequiresthereadertoadjusttoanunfamiliarsetting.Hardwork,familyloyalty,teamwork,andrelianceonneighborsorevenstrangersareallnecessarytoachievegoalsthatmightatfirstseemsimpletoamodernreader.ThetensionsandconflictswithinapoorfarmingfamilyareviewedwithhonestyenhancedbypoeticdescriptionandFaulkner’sownbrandofdarkhumor.

INSTRUCTIONS1.Beforeyoureadthenovel,readthroughthispacket.Payspecialattentiontotheessaypromptsattheend.Thesewillprovideyouwithfocuspointstoguideyourreadingexperience.2.Readthenovelcarefully,annotatingandtakingnotesasyougo.Asmentionedintheintroduction,thisnovelcanbeverydifficulttounderstand.Readingonlinesummariesasyougomightbehelpful.Butremember,thesuccessofthisprojectdependsonyourcloseattentiontoDETAILinthetext.(Inotherwords,youwillnotbeabletodowellontheassignmentifyoudonotpayCAREFULattentiontoFaulkner’sactualprose).


BEFOREREADING

Directions:AnswerthefollowingquestionsBEFOREyoustartreadingAsILayDyingbyWilliamFaulkner.

1. Whatis“streamofconsciousnessnarration”?

2. Whymightanauthorusestreamofconsciousnessnarrationinhisorherwork?

3. Whatis“SouthernGothic”literature?Name5aspectsofSouthernGothicliteraturethatdistinguishthiskindofwritingfromothergenres.

4. Nametwootherauthors(besidesFaulkner)whoareassociatedwiththeSouthernGothicgenre.

5. Whataresomeothernarratives(stories,movies,novels,plays,videogames,etc.)thatprimarilydescribethedynamicsofasinglefamily?Listatleastthreeyoucanthinkof.


DURINGREADING

Directions:FilloutthefollowingTWOchartsDURINGyourreadingofAsILayDying.1.Thestoryistoldinaseriesofinteriormonologues.Foreachchapter,namethecharacterwhoisproducingthisstreamofconsciousnessnarration:1.

16. 31. 46.

2.

17. 32. 47.

3.

18. 33. 48.

4.

19. 34. 49.

5.

20. 35. 50.

6.

21. 36. 51.

7.

22. 37. 52.

8.

23. 38. 53.

9.

24. 39. 54.

10.

25. 40. 55.

11.

26. 41. 56.

12.

27. 42. 57.

13.

28. 43. 58.

14.

29. 44. 59.

15.

30. 45.

APEnglishLiteratureandComposition2.CreateafamilytreefortheBundrenfamily.Yourtreeshouldmakecleartherelationshipsbetweenfamilymembers.Thefollowingnamesmustberepresentedonthetree:Father,Anse,Addie,Cash,Darl,DeweyDell,Lafe,Vardaman,Jewel,ReverendWhitfield


AFTERREADING

Directions:ChoosethreeofthecharactersthatyoufoundmostinterestinginAsILayDyingandcreateaVennDiagramtorepresenttheirINTERESTS,PERSONALITYCHARACTERISTICS,PHYSICALCHARACTERISTICS,FEARS,DESIRES,ETC.


Writeatyped,3-page,double-spacedessayonONEofthefollowingtopics:Hint:RememberthataTHEMEisacompleteidea.Itisnotasinglewordorphrase,butrather,akindofargumentanovelmakes.

1. ManyofthecharactersinAsILayDyingusemetaphorsaboutnaturetothinkabouttheirsituationsandlives(ex.:“Mymotherisafish,”“Jewel’smotherisahorse,”DeweyDell’scomparisonofherselftoacow,“Ifeellikeawetseedwildinthehotblindearth,”etc.).Writeanessayinwhichyouidentifyathemeinthenovelabouttherelationshiphumanshavetothenaturalworld.CompareandcontrasttwomembersoftheBundrenfamilytosupportyourargument.

2. ReadingAsILayDyingisachallengingandsometimesfrustratingexperience.Theplotisnotalwaysclear,thecharacters’relationshipstoeachotherseemambiguous,andthewritingisoftencircularandconvoluted.Partofwhatmakesthebooksohardtoreadisthenarrationstyle,whichreflectstheinnerworkingsofeachcharacter’smind.WriteanessayinwhichyouexplainhowFaulkner’suseofstreamofconsciousnessnarrationbuildsathemeabouthowhumanmindsprocessgrief.CompareandcontrasttwomembersoftheBundrenfamilytosupportyourargument.

3. Inanothernovel–RequiemforaNun–WilliamFaulknerwroteaveryfamouspieceofdialogue:“Thepastisneverdead.It’snoteveninthepast.”Writeanessayinwhichyouidentifyathemethatconcernsthepassingoftimeandthepast’srelationshiptothepresentinAsILayDying.CompareandcontrasttwomembersoftheBundrenfamilytosupportyourargument.

by Henrik Ibsen Summer Reading 2017-2018 -...

Documents

Transcript of by Henrik Ibsen Summer Reading 2017-2018 -...