British Literature Summer Reading

Mrs. Bernardo Beaumont School, 2016-2017

Welcome to your senior year and British Literature!

This year we will explore the foundations of our cultural and literary heritage through the study of British Literature, from its very beginnings in the Anglo-Saxon period through the modern day. To help us begin our study, you are asked to read the following works:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows

The letters comprising this novel begin in 1946, when single, 30-something author Juliet Ashton writes to her publisher to say she is tired of covering the sunny side of war and its aftermath. When Guernsey farmer Dawsey Adams finds Juliet's name in a used book and invites articulate—and not-so-articulate—neighbors to write Juliet with their stories, the book's epistolary circle widens, putting Juliet back in the path of war stories. Juliet finds in the letters not just inspiration for her next work, but also for her life—as will readers.
(Source: Publishers Weekly Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Spirited and impulsive, Marianne Dashwood is the complete opposite to her controlled and sensible sister, Elinor. When it comes to matters of the heart, Marianne is passionate and romantic and soon falls for the charming, but unreliable Mr. Willoughby. Elinor, in contrast, copes stoically with the news that her love, Edward Ferrars is promised to another. It is through their shared experiences of love that both sisters come to learn that the key to a successful match comes from finding the perfect mixture of rationality and feeling. (Source: Amazon.com)

In addition to the reading, watch Sense and Sensibility (1995, directed by Ang Lee)

Assignment:

As you read the works over the summer, you should take notes to prepare for detailed discussion in the first few days of class. You can expect that a paper about the works will be assigned or a test be given. Use of study aides (Spark Notes, Schmoop, Book Rags, Cliff’s Notes, etc.) cannot replace careful reading of the works. Study guides can be inaccurate or focus on ideas different from those we will discuss. In addition to your personal notes, you must complete the following assignments to prepare for class discussion and the eventual written assignment/assessment:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society:

As you read the novel, you will note that several members of the society discuss specific books or authors that have touched them in some way. Select two characters and do some research on the book or author each mentions; please go beyond a quick Google search or reading of the Wikipedia entry on the author. Create a typed chart to record the information you have found and to explain the connection to the characters. The chart may use bullet points; complete sentences are not necessary. A copy of the chart must be submitted on the first day of class. Be prepared to discuss why or why not the connection between the character and the writer is appropriate.

Sense and Sensibility

Create a typed chart in which you identify two points of comparison between novel and the film adaptation. For each point of comparison, include a quotation from the novel and a description of how this scene/character/event is depicted in the film. Also include a comment on which version you feel is better suited to a contemporary audience. A copy of this chart must be submitted on the first day of class.

NOTE: In addition to submission of a hard copy on the first day of class, both charts must be submitted electronically to Turn It In by 8:00AM on Friday, August 26. You will receive Turn It In Log In information on the first day of class. Be sure to save both documents so that they can be electronically submitted.

Assessment: These written assignments will be assessed using the following rubric:

_____/ 2 MLA formatting for both documents

_____ / 10 Chart for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

·  Clarity & readability

·  Shows the connection between two characters and their favorite book/author

·  Demonstrates thoughtful reading of the novel; makes connection between the book/author and character clear; includes at least one quote from the novel for each character

·  Evinces thoughtful research on the author; includes interesting details that support association with character; goes beyond the superficial in research

·  Free from spelling and other typographical errors

_____/ 10 Comparison Chart for Sense and Sensibility

·  Clarity & readability

·  Demonstrates thoughtful reading of the novel; carefully describes how the contrast is evident using specific text support

·  Identifies two specific points of comparison and uses specific text support (quotes) to develop each idea

·  Clearly indicates a position on the better version of the story for a 21st Century audience

·  Contains few or no errors in grammar, usage, punctuation, or spelling; evidence of careful revision and proofreading

_____/ 22 Total Points Earned for Summer Reading Assignments

Your summer reading assignments are due on the first day of class. A deduction of 5% will be taken for each day the submission is late, including weekends. No grade will be recorded until electronic submission to Turn It In has been made. This assignment will be included in your grades for the first quarter of British Literature.

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