AP Literature and Composition Mrs. Oualline 2012-13
Introduction Welcome to AP Literature and Composition. This is a college-level course with college-level expectations. At the end of the next school year, you will take the AP Literature exam to earn college credits. The AP Program is rigorous and demands your dedication and determination. You will be challenged to move beyond the basics of high school English and embrace a higher level of reading, writing, and critical thinking. You will be required to refine your study practices, manage your time effectively, and work responsibly.
What is AP Literature and Composition? The Advanced Placement (AP) Program provides an opportunity for high school students to pursue and receive credit for college-level course work completed at the secondary school level. The AP Program, sponsored by the College Board, is based on the premise that college-level material can be taught successfully to able and well-prepared high school students. Like other College Board programs, the AP Program is worldwide in scope; its policies are determined by representatives of College Board member institutions and agencies throughout the country…and are implemented by the College Board. The examinations are open to any candidate who wishes to participate. The AP exams are required of any student who participates in an AP class as of 2006-2007.
“The AP English Literature and Composition course is designed to engage students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, students can deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students should consider a work's structure, style, and themes, as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone.” (The College Board, 2010)
Students entering AP English are already skilled in basic composition, and are proficient in their use of standard English grammar and mechanics. Expected here is refinement of these skills to develop sophistication and stylistic maturity in writing. The course will emphasize critical reading of various prose styles and require numerous essays demonstrating students’ skill in analyzing the standard rhetorical modes. Thoughtful reading will be reflected in AP test practices-both objective and open-ended questions, journals, daily assignments, class discussions and an individual oral presentation based on independent reading. Additionally, in accordance with Texas standards, the course will follow a skeletal chronological core of the canon of British literature.
Summer Assignment In order to keep minds active and prepare for more intense reading, AP English students will be required to read one literary piece before the first day of school. Students will also be asked to watch a series of movies that illustrate various literary elements.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Episodes I through VI of Star Wars Complete Reader’s Reference Cards for at least 8 pieces of Literature you have read. NOTE: If you have not read How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster, you need to read this selection BEFORE you read Jane Eyre. Even if you have read Professor, you may still want to review the information as a refresher.
Enroll in AP Literature on turnitin.com: Class ID: 5135286 Enrollment Password: APLit12
In addition to READING Jane Eyre and VIEWING Star Wars, you will complete the following assignments:
Jane Eyre This reading selection should be read COVER-TO-COVER. Cliff’s Notes, Internet notes, and/or movies will not suffice. You will be required to produce an “intelligent” dialectical journal for each book. NOTE: We will be using this book for several writing assignments during the first six weeks. The assignments for these novels are: Complete a Dialectical Journal Complete a Reader’s Reference Card for the novel (download the template from my website). Complete the Literary Analysis practice passages (attached). Be prepared for an exam on the first day of school.
Star Wars You will watch Star Wars Episode I-VI in order. As you watch, you will consider various literary elements that exist in the films and write a 1000-word essay that explores these elements: Archetypes Symbolism Themes Classic Struggles
Reader’s Reference Cards You will create a Reader’s Reference Card for at least 8 literary pieces that you have read in high school. These cards will help you study for the AP Lit exam and we will make one card for every piece we read throughout the year. Here are some suggestions:
Romeo and Juliet To Kill a Mockingbird Invisible Man Animal Farm Julius Caesar The Crucible All Quiet on the Western Front Anthem The Great Gatsby The Odyssey Death of a Salesman Othello Archetypes in Literature
Definition of Archetype:
“A universally recognizable element . . . that recurs across all literature and life (Latrobe 13). Psychologist Carl Jung called these elements a kind of “collective unconscious” of the human race, prototypes rather than something gained from experience. The word is derived from the Greek: arche, original, and typos, form or model; thus, original model (Latrobe 13).
An archetype is the first real example or prototype of something (as the Model T is the prototype of the modern automobile). In this sense an archetype can be considered the ideal model, the supreme type or the perfect image of something (Brunel 111-112, 114).
A key to understanding folk literature is to understand archetypes. “An archetype is to the psyche what an instinct is to the body. . . . . Archetypes are the psychic instincts of the human species.” (Edinger as quoted in Knapp 10). Archetypes are universal in human beings. Archetypes result in a deep emotional response for readers.
“Archetypes are repeated patterns that recur in the literature of every age” (Sloan 48).
Key Terms: Multivalent – many values Dualistic – having both positive and negative aspects or values
Examples of Archetypal Images Male Human Images: Hero (think of the classic hero journey & qualities of hero) “The main character leaves his or her community to go on an adventure, performing deeds that bring honor to the community” (Herz and Gallo 121).
Knight There are whole books that explore the archetypal knight and chivalry
The Wise Old Man/Mentor/Guru Serves as a guide for the hero. Protects or helps main character when he or she faces challenges
Villain
Evil Figure The Devil Serpent
Female Human Images: The Damsel Often found “in distress” The Damsel in Distress may be the oldest female archetype in all of popular literature and the movies. She is always beautiful, vulnerable, and in need of rescue, specifically by a Knight and, once rescued, she is taken care of in lavish style. When disappointed, a Damsel must go through a process of empowerment and learn to take care of herself in the world.
Mother Figure POSITIVE: Fairy Godmother (surrogate mother)—comforts and directs child, especially when he or she is confused and needs guidance. Represents powers that can be called on for help when it is needed. Helps young person to solve own problems (Knapp 71). POSITIVE: Earth Mother NEGATIVE: Stepmother
Wise Old Woman Has some of the same qualities as the wise old man
Enchantress/Temptress
Wicked Witch
The Soul Mate (the Sophia Figure)
Other Character Images (Both Genders): The Innocent Child/Youth Inexperienced adult
The Underdog
The Double Split personality—the other side of an individual
Shape Shifters
Helping Animals/Creatures
The Sacrificial Redeemer “The protagonist is willing to die for his or her beliefs; the main character maintains a strong sense of morality” (Herz and Gallo 123).
The Scapegoat/Sacrificial Victim
The Trickster
Actions/Events: Journey--“The protagonist takes a journey, usually physical but sometimes emotional, during which he or she learns something about himself or herself or finds meaning in his or her life as well as acceptance in a community” (Herz and Gallo 112). Linear Circular Quests *Quest for material wealth *Quest for security, as a secure place to live *Quest for kin *Quest for global good, such as when a kingdom is threatened *Quest for self, for self-identity or self-assurance
Rites of Initiation
Parental Conflict and Relationships “The protagonist deals with parental conflict by rejecting or bonding with parents” (Herz and Gallo 117).
Sleep Crucial for physical and/or psychological healing. During dreams, person can grow. Person can fantasize freely in sleep. A transitional and beneficial period. In dream sphere can descend to the sphere of the Great Mother. Person awakens with a greater understanding of human nature (Knapp 88).
The Test or Trial “In the transition from one stage of life to another, the main character experiences a rite of passage through growth and change; he or she experiences a transformation” (Herz and Gallo 115).
Birth/Death and Rebirth “Through pain and suffering the character overcomes feelings of despair, and through a process of self-realization is reborn” (Herz and Gallo 110).
The Fall: Expulsion from Eden “The main character is expelled because of an unacceptable action on his or her part” (Herz and Gallo 111).
Images from Nature Water The unconscious Culturally, it may symbolize rebirth (baptism) Dualistic because it can symbolize both life (need it) and death (too much can kill)
The River Change. Also, crossing river may symbolize new territory Rivers can be boundaries or borders & on the other side is something new or different May represent human life or time passing as we follow the river from its source to its mouth The Sea Represents the unknown Vast, alien, dangerous, chaos Waves may symbolize measures of time and represent eternity or infinity
Rain Rebirth, cleansing
Fountain Stands for purification; the sprinkling of water (baptism) washes away sin. Water of fountain gives new life (Knapp 32). Sun Represents consciousness. Also, the sun serves as a constant. In our culture, the sun is also representative of enlightenment. The sun is dualistic because we need the sun for life, but too much sunlight (draught) can cause death. Rising Sun, Sun at Noon, Setting Sun (represents the stages of man) Associated colors: gold and yellow
Moon Feminine (because of the moon cycle and the connection to a female’s menstruation cycle) Also associated with night and darkness. Associated colors: Silver and Green
Tree Represents life and knowledge Also represents change because a tree is always changing (budding, growing, losing its leaves, lying dormant, etc.)
Forest Unconscious, unknown, disorder, chaos Think about children’s literature. All of the “bad stuff” happens in the forest. Habitat of the Great Mother (Mother Nature), the lunar force. Fertility. The vegetation and animals flourish in this “green world” because of the sustaining power of the Great Mother. Symbolically the primitive levels of the feminine psyche, protective and sheltering. Those who enter often lose their direction or rational outlook and thus tap into their collective unconscious. This unregulated space is opposite of the cultivated gardens, which are carefully planned and are restricted to certain vegetation.
Garden Cultivated and carefully planned. Restricted to certain vegetation. Represents order, civilization, the opposite of chaos.
Desert Because the desert is closely associated with heat (which comes from the sun), the desert can represent enlightenment. Consider the figures who wandered the desert (Ghandi, Moses, Jesus, etc.) There is an idea that monotheism (belief in one god) grew up in the desert while polytheism (belief in many gods) grew up on the river banks; culturally this is very true.
Caves and tunnels Deep down where character delves into self Place that character goes when “invisible” or inactive At the extreme may signify death
Mountains and peaks Highest peak is place to “see” far Place to gain great insight
Islands Microcosms or small worlds unto themselves Represent isolation or get-a-ways
Stone Stability The wise man built his house upon the rock…
Sand Instability The foolish man built his house upon the sand…
Blood Life and sacrifice
Birds Transcendence and freedom. However, flocks of birds may carry implications of evil or impending doom.
Multiplicity is ever a sign of the negative. (Consider swarms of insects, plagues, etc.)
Symbolism Colors Red Blood and sacrifice, but also passion and love Red is a fascinating color because it can be associated with evil (the Devil is always depicted in red), good (Santa Claus wears red, too), and passion (Valentine’s Day) Blue Significance of the color varies by culture. In our culture, blue typifies purity (Virgin Mary is always depicted wearing blue), truth, and tranquility Black Darkness, ignorance, chaos White Represents purity in our culture; however, in some Asian cultures, the bride dresses in red or black Green Youth, vigor, nature, immaturity Numbers One Unity Two The many dualities of everything (you, me, male/female, left/right, yin/yang, etc.) Three The trinity (Western cultures); strength Four The order of the universe Examples: The four elements (earth, air, water, fire); four points of the compass, four phases of the moon, four double truths in Buddhism. Five Associated with man The five appendages (legs, arms, head); the five senses Six The number six is BOTH the sum of 1+2+3 and the product of 1x2x3; therefore, in mathematics, the number six is considered “perfect.” Also, the perfection of 6 shows up in the six days of creation; the structure of the creation story has the 1-2-3 theme (1-light, 2-sun and moon, 3 through 6-everything else) Seven A spiritual number; represents completion (the seventh day in the creation story, seven days in a week, seven ages of man) Seven is considered lucky because it is a prime number that cannot be obtained by multiplying smaller numbers Eight Considered an auspicious number because the square of any odd number less one is a multiple of eight (e.g., the square of 3 is 9…9 minus 1 equals 8). In Buddhism, it is lucky because of the eight petals of the lotus flower. Nine Meanings are very cultural Examples: cloud 9, a stitch in time saves 9, the River Styx has 9 twists, a cat has 9 lives Ten The Pythagorean symbol of perfection or completeness (10 fingers, 10 toes, counting on fingers and toes is probably the reason why we have the decimal system) Thirteen Unlucky (mostly superstitious, cultural) The 13th Apostle (Judas), the Knights Templar (killed on Friday, October 13th), Apollo 13 blew up on a Friday the 13th, most hotels do not have a 13th floor, etc.
Shapes Circle (sphere) – eternity, completion Mandala (a circle within a square) – usually shows up in stained glass; represents man’s struggle for completeness Square – equality Yin-Yang – Yin is the dark side (passive, feminine, cold, negative); Yang is the light side (light, active, male, warm, positive). There are two sides to everything (happy/sad, cold/hot, etc.). Yin/Yang represents the two side, the opposites that make the whole; they can never exist without each other (that’s why you have the white dot in the black side and the black dot in the white side) *Return this letter by May 21, 2012*
May 18, 2012
Dear AP Student:
Next year, your child will be transitioning from AP Language and Composition to AP Literature and Composition. AP Literature and Composition is an intensive, college-level reading and writing course. The goal of this course is to produce mastery of expository, analytical, narrative, and argumentative writing styles. Your child will also be exposed to a variety of classic literature. This accelerated track is rigorous, demanding, and requires the dedication of the student. While I appreciate the many demands of high school (including extracurricular activities), I expect the students in my AP classes to be fully committed to the curriculum. Please take the time to review the information I have provided in this packet. This will help avoid any confusion about the purpose of the class and the expectations of your child.
Please sign below to verify that you have read through the information in this packet and letter with your child and that you understand the expectations of the AP English Program.
Best Regards,
V. Beth Oualline [email protected]
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