12 Grade English- Summer Reading
Books:
“Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
“Angela’s Ashes” by Frank McCourt
12th Grade Summer Reading
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Angelas Ashes by Frank McCourt
Directions:
For part 1, you are provided 6 questions/prompts, and you will need to
choose 2 and complete them using whichever books you want. (One page
minimum for each response.)
For part 2, you are provided 2 questions/prompts, and you will need to
complete both using the specific novel provided. (One page minimum for
each response.)
For part 3, you have 10 questions; you need to answer the 10 questions for
BOTH books. The length for this will vary according to the question; so just
do what each question asks.
Part 1
Choose TWO of the following six prompts to complete; you can use either
and/or both of your 12th grade summer reading books. (One page minimum
for each response.):
1. In the novel that you’ve read, some of the characters are given positive portrayals. Others
have negative portrayals. Still, others may begin with negative qualities and gradually
become more and more positive. Rarely does an author rely on the reader’s personal sense
of morality to determine which characters are positive and which are negative. Instead,
there are details, actions, and characteristics that help define who is “good” and who is
“bad.” Think about your novel. How does the author indicate which characters are
positive and which are negative? In your essay, explain how the author uses direct and
indirect characterization to develop these portrayals.
2. Do a close examination of the setting in your novel. What are the primary locations? How
are these places made realistic how does the author use extended description,
background information, and specific detail to make the setting come alive for readers?
How do the main characters fit in the settings do they seem at home? out of place?
How do their reactions and interactions with the setting affect the realism of the
locations? Discuss the way that the novelist uses to make the setting vivid and real to
readers.
3. Identify one theme in the novel and show how it appears in three separate instances in the
novel. Make sure to discuss why this theme is important to the overall novel.
4. Find one instance in the novel that contains both a literal and symbolic meaning. This
means that there is a deeper meaning to an event that occurs in the novel. You could also
consider an object that serves as a symbol in the novel. Support your answer with textual
evidence from the novel.
5. Think about the role that social class plays in the novel that you’ve read. What social
classes are represented in the novel? How do the classes shown in the novel relate to the
classes that realistically existed in the time and place where the novel takes place? Write
a paper that explores the way that social class and class issues affect the characters and
plot of your novel.
6. How reliable is the narrator of your novel? Is the reader able to fully trust him/her? Why
or why not? Support your answer with three specific and relevant details from the novel.
Part 2
You need to complete the following 2 questions/prompts for the specified
novel. (One page minimum for each response.)
1. Angelas Ashes – Murasaki Shikibu said that the novel “happens because of the
storyteller’s own experience . . . not only what he has passed through himself, but even
events which he has only witnessed or been told ofhas moved him to an emotion so
passionate that he can no longer keep it shut up in his heart.” What is the passionate
emotion that is communicated in your novel? Why was the author of your novel moved
to write? What is the thing that the novelist had to communicate? In your paper, explain
the author’s motivating emotion and how it is explored in the novel.
2. Brave New World – Flannery O’Connor has written, “I am interested in making a good
case for distortion because I am coming to believe that it is the only way to make people
see.” Write an essay in which you explain the authors good case for distortion,” in the
novel. How are elements, such as setting, character development, and dialogue, in the
work you choose are “distorted” and explain how these distortions contribute to the
theme.
Part 3
Complete the following 10 questions for BOTH of your books:
1. Identify the narrator of the story, the point of view, and the narrators and authors tone
presented in the novel.
2. Keep track of theme(s) as they emerge and your reactions to them.
3. Take notes on the setting (including culture) and how it affects or influenced the
characters and the evolution of the plot.
4. Note the structure of the novel. Is it linear or nonlinear (uses flashbacks)? How does that
contribute to the novel?
5. Note interesting or unusual diction (word choice). How does that contribute to the
meaning of the novel?
6. Note 5 instances of figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole)
used throughout the novel and explain how it contributes to the meaning.
7. What imagery is used in the novel and when (give 3 examples from the text)? What
purpose does this serve?
8. Write down 10 vocabulary words from throughout the novel you come across and define
them.
9. Write three (3) quotes from the text that you found interesting or made you think. Write a
paragraph on each explaining why you found these important? Do they remind you of
something in your own life or another book youve read? What made them stand out?
How are they important to the novel as a whole?
10. Write a paragraph responding to the novel. Did you like the book? Why? Why not? What
parts of the novel were the most troublesome? What parts did you enjoy? Would you read
more novels about this topic? By this author? Why?
