American Lit/Composition Period 1 Assignments
Assignment Calendar
Upcoming Assignments
No upcoming assignments.
Past Assignments
Due:
The Final Exam Study Guide
Due on the day of your final.
Due:
The Great Gatsby film analysis
Answer the attached questions relating to the film adaptation of the novel.
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The Great Gatsby Ch. 6 questions
After reading chapter 6, answer the questions as best you can.
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The Great Gatsby Ch. 5 Questions
Answer the first 7 questions on the worksheet.
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The Great Gatsby ch. 4 questions
Reflect on the events of chapter 4 and answer all 7 questions as best you can.
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The Great Gatsby chapter 3 questions
Answer the seven questions related to chapter three of the novel.
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Gatsby "Prepare for Discussion"
Over the weekend, list three questions you hope to discover as we read chapter 3. We will try to answer these questions on Monday.
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The Great Gatsby Ch. 2 Questions
Answer the following questions regarding the events and characters of chapter 2 of "The Great Gatsby"
1.) What/where is the "Valley of Ashes?" How does this location relate to the economic context of the time?
2.) Describe the character of Myrtle. In what ways are Myrtle and Daisy similar and different? Do you feel pity for George (Myrtle's husband)? Explain why or why not.
3.) What evidence is there in the text that Myrtle feels she belongs in Tom's world, than in the Valley of Ashes?
4.) What is ironic about the way that Myrtle talks about the man she told to bring the ice?
5.) What do we learn about Gatsby in this chapter? Why is this significant?
6.) Do you think that Tom will or will not leave Daisy for Myrtle? Explain your answer.
7.) Find a quote from the text which supports the idea that Nick has ambiguous feelings about the society he finds himself surrounded by.
1.) What/where is the "Valley of Ashes?" How does this location relate to the economic context of the time?
2.) Describe the character of Myrtle. In what ways are Myrtle and Daisy similar and different? Do you feel pity for George (Myrtle's husband)? Explain why or why not.
3.) What evidence is there in the text that Myrtle feels she belongs in Tom's world, than in the Valley of Ashes?
4.) What is ironic about the way that Myrtle talks about the man she told to bring the ice?
5.) What do we learn about Gatsby in this chapter? Why is this significant?
6.) Do you think that Tom will or will not leave Daisy for Myrtle? Explain your answer.
7.) Find a quote from the text which supports the idea that Nick has ambiguous feelings about the society he finds himself surrounded by.
Due:
"Richard Cory" poem analyzation
Read and analyze the attached poem and answer the questions in relationship of the theme between this poem and Gatsby.
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The Great Gatsby ch. 1 questions
After reading chapter 1 of "The Great Gatsby", answer the following questions in relation to characters and events.
NOTE: there are only 7 questions
NOTE: there are only 7 questions
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The Great Gatsby character chart
After reading chapter 1 of "The Great Gatsby", graph out the personalities, hobbies, and first impressions of the four main characters we have met so far.
Due:
Winter Dreams
After completing "Winter Dreams" answer the following questions:
1.) At the beginning of Section 2, what does the narrator say Dexter wants? How does Judy embody his ambitions?
2.) What actions does Dexter take as a result of his first two meetings with Judy? Find two examples in the story that demonstrate the effects of Judy's casual behavior on Dexter's life.
3.) What is Dexter's response to Judy whenever she reappears in his life? Why do Dexter's feelings for Judy remain unchanged even after he finally loses her?
4.) Are Dexter's values and ideas influenced by the times in which he lives, or would his feelings for Judy Jones be the same in any era? Explain.
1.) At the beginning of Section 2, what does the narrator say Dexter wants? How does Judy embody his ambitions?
2.) What actions does Dexter take as a result of his first two meetings with Judy? Find two examples in the story that demonstrate the effects of Judy's casual behavior on Dexter's life.
3.) What is Dexter's response to Judy whenever she reappears in his life? Why do Dexter's feelings for Judy remain unchanged even after he finally loses her?
4.) Are Dexter's values and ideas influenced by the times in which he lives, or would his feelings for Judy Jones be the same in any era? Explain.
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The Great Gatsby context guide
Spend an 30 minutes to an hour researching the 1920s. Complete the context worksheet attached to deepen your understanding of the era in which the novel is set.
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The Great Gatsby Photo Synthesizing
Scroll through the photos of from the 1920s and answer the questions related to them on the partnered worksheet.
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The Story of an Hour
After reading "The Story of an Hour" answer the following questions:
1.) At the beginning of the story, what does the narrator call the ailment that afflicts Mrs. Mallard? In addition to a medical condition, what might the narrator mean by this phrase?
2.) What does Mrs. Mallard see as she gazes out her window? How does the scene outside the window foreshadow the feelings that sweep over her as she sits in her chair?
3.) According to the doctors, what causes Mrs. Mallard's death? What do you believe is the actual cause of her death? Why do you think Chopin does not elaborate more about Mrs. Mallard's death?
4.) How does Chopin emphasize differences between Mrs. Mallard's true self and the ways in which she is perceived?
1.) At the beginning of the story, what does the narrator call the ailment that afflicts Mrs. Mallard? In addition to a medical condition, what might the narrator mean by this phrase?
2.) What does Mrs. Mallard see as she gazes out her window? How does the scene outside the window foreshadow the feelings that sweep over her as she sits in her chair?
3.) According to the doctors, what causes Mrs. Mallard's death? What do you believe is the actual cause of her death? Why do you think Chopin does not elaborate more about Mrs. Mallard's death?
4.) How does Chopin emphasize differences between Mrs. Mallard's true self and the ways in which she is perceived?
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Heading West & Chief Joseph
After reading the testimonies of Miriam Davis Colt and Chief Joseph, answer the following questions:
Miriam Davis Colt:
1.) What financial arrangements did the Colts make as part of their preparations for heading west? Do you think they were too naïve and trusting? Explain.
2.) Describe the settler woman Colt mentions in her entry of May 11. What does this settler woman suggest to Colt about her own future?
3.) How do Colt's expectations about life at "Octagon City" compare with the reality she finds there?
4.) Based on Colt's experiences, explain which character traits you feel were necessary to being a successful pioneer?
Chief Joseph:
1.) What has happened to many of the Nez Perce chiefs? Who has been left to carry on the fight? Why do you think Chief Joseph directs part of his speech to his chiefs?
2.) What reasons does Chief Joseph give for his surrender? Would the speech have been more or less effective had it contained more detailed explanations?
3.) Although Chief Joseph delivered his speech to confirm his tribe's surrender, his eloquent words serve another purpose for people today. What is that purpose?
Miriam Davis Colt:
1.) What financial arrangements did the Colts make as part of their preparations for heading west? Do you think they were too naïve and trusting? Explain.
2.) Describe the settler woman Colt mentions in her entry of May 11. What does this settler woman suggest to Colt about her own future?
3.) How do Colt's expectations about life at "Octagon City" compare with the reality she finds there?
4.) Based on Colt's experiences, explain which character traits you feel were necessary to being a successful pioneer?
Chief Joseph:
1.) What has happened to many of the Nez Perce chiefs? Who has been left to carry on the fight? Why do you think Chief Joseph directs part of his speech to his chiefs?
2.) What reasons does Chief Joseph give for his surrender? Would the speech have been more or less effective had it contained more detailed explanations?
3.) Although Chief Joseph delivered his speech to confirm his tribe's surrender, his eloquent words serve another purpose for people today. What is that purpose?
Due:
An Episode of War
After reading "An Episode of War", answer the following questions:
1.) What happens to cause the lieutenant's injury? How do the details of his injury make him a sympathetic character?
2.) What is the lieutenant's reaction when a soldier offers a helpful shoulder? Why does he react this way?
3.) Note three examples of the lieutenant's distance from the uninjured people around him. What do these examples suggest about the way others see him and the way he sees himself?
4.) In your view, does society benefit from frank portrayals of suffering?
1.) What happens to cause the lieutenant's injury? How do the details of his injury make him a sympathetic character?
2.) What is the lieutenant's reaction when a soldier offers a helpful shoulder? Why does he react this way?
3.) Note three examples of the lieutenant's distance from the uninjured people around him. What do these examples suggest about the way others see him and the way he sees himself?
4.) In your view, does society benefit from frank portrayals of suffering?
Due:
Lincoln and Lee
Answer the following questions related to Lincoln and Lee.
1.) What vision of the nation does Lincoln describe at the close of his speech? In what way does an expression of this vision further his purpose for speaking?
2.)What gift has Lee's son given him? How is Lee's recognition of this gift linked to his feelings about succession? Explain.
3.) How would you explain Lee's use of the word "Union"? In what ways does he clarify or refine the meaning of the word? Explain his argument against succession?
4.) Based on these selections, how do you think both Lincoln and Lee define American Patriotism?
1.) What vision of the nation does Lincoln describe at the close of his speech? In what way does an expression of this vision further his purpose for speaking?
2.)What gift has Lee's son given him? How is Lee's recognition of this gift linked to his feelings about succession? Explain.
3.) How would you explain Lee's use of the word "Union"? In what ways does he clarify or refine the meaning of the word? Explain his argument against succession?
4.) Based on these selections, how do you think both Lincoln and Lee define American Patriotism?
Due:
The Civil War
After reading abstracts from the Civil War life and battles, answer the following Questions.
Charleston:
1.) What significant events does Chesnut describe in her diary? What does her diary reveal about daily life during these historical events? Do you find anything surprising about Chesnut's depiction of the events themselves or of people's reactions to them? Explain.
2.) What role does Chesnut's husband play in the events and the people's response to it?
3.) Do you believe Chesnut's feelings reflects those of the South?
Union Life:
1.) Describe Warren Lee Goss's feelings on the day he was to enlist in the army? How do these feelings change?
2.) According to Goss, what takes a long time for a recruit to learn?
3.) In your view, how well is Goss suited for military life?
Gettysburg:
1.) Describe in your own words the attack on Culp's Hill. In your view, who or what is responsible for the Confederates' defeat?
2.) According to McKim, how was the attack like Pickett's charge later in the day? How do you think McKim feels about the commander's orders?
3.) Is McKim's account trustworthy?
Charleston:
1.) What significant events does Chesnut describe in her diary? What does her diary reveal about daily life during these historical events? Do you find anything surprising about Chesnut's depiction of the events themselves or of people's reactions to them? Explain.
2.) What role does Chesnut's husband play in the events and the people's response to it?
3.) Do you believe Chesnut's feelings reflects those of the South?
Union Life:
1.) Describe Warren Lee Goss's feelings on the day he was to enlist in the army? How do these feelings change?
2.) According to Goss, what takes a long time for a recruit to learn?
3.) In your view, how well is Goss suited for military life?
Gettysburg:
1.) Describe in your own words the attack on Culp's Hill. In your view, who or what is responsible for the Confederates' defeat?
2.) According to McKim, how was the attack like Pickett's charge later in the day? How do you think McKim feels about the commander's orders?
3.) Is McKim's account trustworthy?
Due:
The Little Mermaid compare and contrast
After reading the original story of the Little Mermaid, recall how the classic Disney film reimagined it as a happy ending with the little mermaid defeating the Sea Witch and marrying her prince. The original story is bitter sweet with the little mermaid sacrificing herself knowing she would be obliterated but ultimately winning an immortal soul for her sacrifice.
In a three paragraph essay, answer the following questions:
1.) Why do you suppose Disney changed the original ending? Do you consider it an improvement?
2.) The deeper struggle in the original story is the little mermaid's desire for an immortal soul. Do you think deleting this crucial plot-point from the original story hinders the emotional impact of the Disney film?
3.) Which version do you prefer? Why that particular version?
In a three paragraph essay, answer the following questions:
1.) Why do you suppose Disney changed the original ending? Do you consider it an improvement?
2.) The deeper struggle in the original story is the little mermaid's desire for an immortal soul. Do you think deleting this crucial plot-point from the original story hinders the emotional impact of the Disney film?
3.) Which version do you prefer? Why that particular version?
Due:
Frederick Douglass and Spirituals
After reading about the life of Frederick Douglass and the Spirituals sung by slaves on the plantation, answer the following questions:
Douglass:
1.) What does Mrs. Auld initially think about Douglass's reading? Why do you think she later "violent in her opposition" to Douglass's reading?
2.) What book does Douglass buy when his is about thirteen years old? How does reading this transform Douglass from "light-hearted" to "wretched and gloomy"?
3.) What consumed Douglass once he obtained knowledge? How does his experience prove his mistress's belief that education and slavery are incompatible?
4.) What personal qualities do you think helped Douglass become an effective champion of human rights?
Spirituals:
1.) In "Go Down, Moses," who is oppressed? What connection might these oppressed people have with the slaves?
2.) Whom does Moses tell to 'let my people go?' If this song is related to the slaves, whom might this figure represent?
3.) In "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" who is coming to carry the speaker home? What might these figures represent?
4.) Knowing that spirituals were often "code" songs for escape, do you see any hidden messages in these songs? Explain.
5.) What qualities do the places described in these songs have? How do they compare to the actual places inhabited by the slaves?
Douglass:
1.) What does Mrs. Auld initially think about Douglass's reading? Why do you think she later "violent in her opposition" to Douglass's reading?
2.) What book does Douglass buy when his is about thirteen years old? How does reading this transform Douglass from "light-hearted" to "wretched and gloomy"?
3.) What consumed Douglass once he obtained knowledge? How does his experience prove his mistress's belief that education and slavery are incompatible?
4.) What personal qualities do you think helped Douglass become an effective champion of human rights?
Spirituals:
1.) In "Go Down, Moses," who is oppressed? What connection might these oppressed people have with the slaves?
2.) Whom does Moses tell to 'let my people go?' If this song is related to the slaves, whom might this figure represent?
3.) In "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" who is coming to carry the speaker home? What might these figures represent?
4.) Knowing that spirituals were often "code" songs for escape, do you see any hidden messages in these songs? Explain.
5.) What qualities do the places described in these songs have? How do they compare to the actual places inhabited by the slaves?
Due:
"The Life of Olaudah Equiano"
After reading the experiences of Olaudah Equiano, answer the following questions:
1.) Why does Equiano blame the illness aboard the ship on the "improvised avarice" of the traders? How do the white crewmen view their captives? What does the treatment of the slaves reveal about the captors' attitudes toward human life?
2.) How does Equiano's age affect his experiences during the voyage? How do you think he felt about his experience compared to the fate of the other captives?
3.) How does Equiano show his great zeal for life despite his assertion that he wants to die? Provide examples.
4.) What do you think the public of Equiano's day learned about the "accursed trade" of slavery that it may not have known before reading this narrative?
1.) Why does Equiano blame the illness aboard the ship on the "improvised avarice" of the traders? How do the white crewmen view their captives? What does the treatment of the slaves reveal about the captors' attitudes toward human life?
2.) How does Equiano's age affect his experiences during the voyage? How do you think he felt about his experience compared to the fate of the other captives?
3.) How does Equiano show his great zeal for life despite his assertion that he wants to die? Provide examples.
4.) What do you think the public of Equiano's day learned about the "accursed trade" of slavery that it may not have known before reading this narrative?
Due:
The Scarlet Letter chapters 7 - 9 review
1.) Define the following: Verbal irony; Situation irony; Dramatic irony; Caprice; Ingenuity; Benevolence; Emaciated
2.) Write one example of irony from each chapter.
3.) Define allusion.
4.) Write one allusion found in these chapters.
5.) Define Symbolism
6.) Write one example of symbolism from these chapters.
2.) Write one example of irony from each chapter.
3.) Define allusion.
4.) Write one allusion found in these chapters.
5.) Define Symbolism
6.) Write one example of symbolism from these chapters.
Due:
The Scarlet Letter Ch. 1-3 vocab list
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The Scarlet Letter chapter 2 - 3 reading guide
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Country Group Project due Tues/Wednesday Nov.30 or Dec.1
In your group, create your own country! Give it a name, flag, national symbol, flower, animal, a unique history, geographical description, religious beliefs, culture, music, etc. Explain the monetary and government system. Create a constitution with a "Bill of Rights". You will present your country's constitution and all the related information in a creative manner of your choosing.
KEEP IT RESPECTFUL AND APPROPRIATE TO OUR LADY, SCHOOL, AND CHURCH
KEEP IT RESPECTFUL AND APPROPRIATE TO OUR LADY, SCHOOL, AND CHURCH