Literature Analysis Book Options

The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne-2 nd Quarter Written in 1850 Set in a 17 th century Puritan settlement About the experiences of a woman accused of committing adultery, her child, and her “partner in crime.” Great character development Long sentences Super famous, great to know for college Very pro-femme 235 pages

Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller-2 nd Quarter Written in 1949 It’s a play! About a delusional, under-achieving salesman and his family in the 1950s. It has a stream-of consciousness feel It’s depressing It’s brilliant—I read it in one sitting! 139 pages

Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston-1 st Quarter Written in 1937 Set in the 1930s, about the travels and experiences of a Black woman, looking for love, independence, and identity. She’s got a lot of husbands in a lot of places, and she’ll tell you what she learned from each one. Very pro-femme Dialogue is dialect I just re-read the last paragraph and now I want to re- read the whole novel. 193 pages

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain-2 nd Quarter Written in 1885 Set in Missouri in the 1830s-1840s, about a young boy who runs away with a slave. It’s a satire of southern “high-horse” during the early-mid nineteenth-century, especially the prevalent thoughts on slavery at the time. Dialogue is dialect Great, fun, funny story 239 pages

The Awakening, Kate Chopin-1 st Quarter Published in 1899 Set in 1899, in and around New Orleans, about a woman trying to overcome the constraints of late Victorian gender expectations. Beach vacations, extramarital affairs, child neglect, music, and painting ensue. Shocked the stuffy Victorians! Quick read, engaging story Very pro-femme The sculpture on my filing cabinet is inspired by The Awakening 116 pages

The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger-1 st Quarter Coming-of-age-novel about a privileged teenage boy’s descent into an emotional breakdown over the course of three days. Written in 1951, set in the 1940s or 1950s. Considered by many to be the quintessential novel about teenage angst. Holden Caulfield, the protagonist, is easily clever and easily relatable, especially to teenagers. Some readers find him intolerable and whiny. Short, misleadingly easy read, but the meaning is deep and it may be tough to “get it.” Many readers love, some absolutely hate. 288 pages

General Guidelines: Fourth Quarter You will sign up for one book to read independently and to analyze in groups of peers reading the same book. You will write an essay analyzing the rhetorical strategies of your chosen novel, which will be due May 31 st or June 1. You will be responsible for meeting several “checkpoints” and jobs so that you can discuss the novel with your group. You will be expected to be finished with your novel by May 26 th or 27 th The numbers of books are limited, and you may not get your first choice. Some time will be given in class for group meetings, but the great majority of this work will take place on your own time. You are encouraged to come to BULL Time to meet with groups/me if you would like additional discussion/guidance regarding your novel. You will NOT be allowed to analyze symbolism for any novel this quarter. Be careful not to find analysis ideas online. Every drop of analysis must come from your own mind. If you forget and do use ideas you found online, you must cite them, and you will fail. If you use ideas you found online and neglect to cite them, you will fail AND be written up for plagiarism.

Sign-Up Instructions Please number your name and book choices. Unless you are willing to purchase your own copy of your first choice, and can do so in the next hours, you must indicate a second choice! Books are limited and it is very possible you will not get your first choice. If you are willing to purchase your own copy of the book, draw an asterisk after your first choice and don’t include a second choice. *Note: if you do this, you are agreeing to obtain the book yourself, and any problem you have in obtaining it will not be considered a viable excuse for not being prepared for classes/submitting work on time.

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald Published in 1925 Set in 1922, about a fabulously wealthy, self-made man who is desperate to rekindle his romance with a lost love. 1920s fabulousness. ‘Nuff said. Gatsby is sometimes assumed to be a fun, easy read without much weight. This is not true. The language isn’t difficult, but nothing about the novel is superficial. The deeper themes are complex, and the twist ending might have more meaning than you originally think. At this point, you may already be familiar with The Great Gatsby and the whole 1920’s theme and might be “over it” before you even begin. If that’s the case, pick something else. Yeah, there’s a really good movie. The book is better. 180 pages

Anthem, Ayn Rand Published in the U.S. in 1946 (first published earlier in Britain) Fictional novella that serves as Ayn Rand’s political manifesto against collectivism, or the principle of giving a group priority over its individuals. Set in an unidentified, dystopian time, likely a future so distant that it has forgotten or eliminated records of achievements of the present day. About a young man, Equality , who makes a life-changing discovery, but, in so doing, has broken the law of collectivism. The novel is about his struggle to bring his important discovery to light in a society that has outlawed any recognition of individual accomplishments. There’s also a love story (also not allowed). Read and enjoyed 1984? Anthem is very similar, but a bit more positive with slightly more emotion. It’s a fast read and is just really interesting, even if you disagree with Rand’s political and philosophical ideas (for example, she has said in an interview that the only reason you should feel compelled to help another person is if you like that person selfishly. Provocative, no?). That being said, you may become frustrated with Rand’s political ideas and thus become frustrated with the novella. 105 pages

Nineteen Minutes, Jodi Picoult Published in 2007 Set in modern-day, suburban New Hampshire Jodi Picoult writes contemporary bestsellers on a variety of often controversial topics. Other novels by her include My Sister’s Keeper (my favorite!), The Tenth Circle, and The Pact. About a school shooting and the students involved, as well as the judge presiding over the case. Topics addressed include bullying, psychology, and parent-child relationships. Obviously, terrible things happen in this novel. Be sure that, as a high school student, you are comfortable reading a novel about a high school shooting. It’s not challenging in an academic sense. The language and major themes are easily accessible. With that, you may find it “beneath” your literary ability. However, the themes are very important, which is why I chose it as an option for you. You may also find it refreshing to read a contemporary novel whose purpose is to draw you into a story that addresses topics and characters relevant to your life right now. 455 pages