English 12 AP Summer Assignments- 2009

Mr. Guercio/Mr. Rugg

Directions: Each of the following assignments is due in the first day of class in September. Use your time in the summer wisely to carefully read each work and thoughtfully prepare your responses.

Dubliners by James Joyce (Available for purchase in the IHS Bookstore)

In Dubliners, the story “The Dead” serves as a clear and compelling epilogue to the stories that precede it, modifying, enhancing and illuminating the effect of the total work. Identify a major theme that is found in “The Dead” and in at least three other stories throughout the collection (Avoid selecting three stories from the same group) and discuss the impact/role of “The Dead” on Dubliners as a whole. In your analysis, consider Joyce’s use of symbolism, imagery, tone, diction, and figurative language (you don’t have to mention all.)

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (A limited number of copies (36) are available for check-out at the IHS Library. If not, Barnes and Noble stocks them.)

The most important themes in literature are sometimes developed in scenes in which a death or deaths take place. Read the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, then write a well-organized essay in which you show how a specific death scene helps to illuminate the meaning of the work as a whole. Avoid plot summary.

Essay Format:

· Title page (see model below). Be creative.

· Word-processed, preferably using Microsoft Word.

· Doubled-spaced, 12 point font (something easy to read)

· 1” margins all around

· Maximum three pages long (not including the title page for all you wise guys out there!) We prefer two.

·

Title (in Italics)

By

Your Name

English 12 AP

Teacher’s Name

Date

Paginated text

· If you have a question about the readings/assignments,

     during the summer, e-mail either

            jeffrey_guercio @westiron.monroe.edu

or

            jason_rugg @westiron.monroe.edu

· Have fun! We’d prefer you take “risks” with

your insights rather than give the obvious.

“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.” – Mark Twain