Synthesis of Course Material: Part One- Reading

One important aspect of this course is learning a variety of texts.

So far, texts covered have included: Albee's The American Dream, Miller's Death of a Salesman, Silko's Ceremony, Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and Shakespeare's Hamlet.

For the AP test in May, it will be important to have read and understood each of the works (see Part Two- Annotations) of literature. It will also be important to be able to apply the texts in a variety of contexts.

With each text, we have learned to appreciate and analyze the book through many critical lenses, and with each critical lens, we have learned to see behind the story.

Five Important facts to remember about each work of literature:

Albee's The American Dream:

1. The meaning of the American Dream
2. Symbols of sex
3. Woman's roles in society
4. Mommy and Daddy's immaturity and the significance of it (ie. with the baby, or the hat)
5. Significance of lighting (viewing things in different perspectives)

Miller's Death of a Salesman:

1. Importance of family relations
2. The meaning/ emptiness of the American Dream [never being fully content]
3. Linda's role in the house, Willy's role in society, The Woman's role in society
4. Biff and Happy's resemblance of Willy and Ben, Bernard's resemblance of Charley
5. Money doesn't bring happiness, especially for Willy

Silko's Ceremony:

1. Post World War II Veteran's PTSD problems
2. Role of racism in Tayo (and others)'s lives (On the reservation and in town)
3. Motif of finding oneself
4. Significance of colors, directions, nature, numbers and seasons in Tayo's life (symbols)
5. Significance of stories/rumors in a person's life

Austen's Pride and Prejudice

1. Role of women in society (especially Jane, Elizabeth, Lydia, Mrs. Bennet, Catherine, and Caroline Bingley)
2. Influence of pride and prejudice on people's lives (through Elizabeth and Darcy)
3. Theme of deception
4. Societal norms of Austen's time compared to current times- differences in how people think and how it has changed overtime
5. Forgiving, redemption, Apologizing (family forgives Wickham's deeds, Darcy redeems himself for his behaivior, and Bingley apologizes for leaving Jane)

And last for now...

Shakespeare's Hamlet:

1. No clear sides in foul vs. fair (Hamlet v. Uncle/King)
2. Insanity of the characters- whether it is real or not (Claudius, Ophelia, Hamlet)
3. Tragedy of Ophelia's life and why it became that way (deception, betrayal, love)
4. Right vs. Wrong also has no clear sides- both sides make mistakes.
5. Gaining and/or loosing trust (Queen and Hamlet, Ophelia and Hamlet)

And now for Part Two- Annotations~ COMING SOON