Review of Literature 9th-11th grade
9th grade literature Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Other: American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang The Pearl by John Steinbeck
Of Mice and Men Author: John Steinbeck Setting: 1930s, South of Soledad, California Narrator: 3rd person omniscient Symbols: George and Lennie’s Farm: American Dream; land and independence Rabbits: Innocence Candy’s Dog: Quality of life; acts of mercy and kindness
Important Characters in OMM Lennie Smalls: huge man; migrant worker; mild mental disability; doesn’t understand his own strength; dependent on George; innocent; hopeful George: small in size; defined features; migrant worker; intelligent; caregiver to Lennie; shares the dream with Lennie, but gets frustrated with him
Other characters in OMM Candy: old swamper; dog is his companion Curley: boss’s son; mean spirited, jealous, untrusting of his wife Curley’s wife: attractive, red dress, flirtatious, source of trouble, dreams of being a movie star
Themes in OMM Broken Plans/dreams The American Dream Male Friendship Weakness vs. Strength The portrayal of women Loneliness
Literary Element Review To Kill a Mockingbird Literary Element Review
Notes Author: Harper Lee Point of View: First-person; Scout Finch Setting: Time: 1930’s Maycomb, Alabama Mood: lighthearted, humorous, reflective Atmosphere: Great Depression Small town discrimination
Theme The Coexistence of Good and Evil Mrs. Dubose Aunt Alexandra Boo Radley Walter Cunningham Senior Jury
Theme The Importance of Moral Education Atticus – seeing from other’s perspectives; equality; nonviolence Miss Maudie –respect for all people Calpurnia
Theme The Existence of Social Inequality Tom Robinson’s trial Finches – Cunninghams – Ewells – Black community
Theme The Destruction of Innocence Miss Maudie Mayella Tom Robinson Jem Scout
Theme Courage is doing what is right even when the odds of succeeding are poor Mrs. Dubose beating her addiction Atticus with the trial
Theme Prejudice and superstition leading to injustice Tom being found guilty when innocent Boo Radley
Symbols in TKAM Mockingbirds: innocence/loss of innocence
10th grade literature Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Lord of the Flies by William Golding Other: After the First Death by Robert Cormier Antigone by Sophocles Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Romeo and Juliet Author: William Shakespeare Play/Drama/Tragedy Setting: 1500s; Verona, Italy; Two children from feuding families fall in love
Important Characters Romeo: Impulsive; Impetuous; quick to fall in love; emotional; fails to think things through meaningfully Juliet: 13 years old; initially obedient and bending to her parents’ will; grows to be willful, independent; quick to fall in love
Other characters Montague's Capulet’s Romeo Benvolio Lady M Montague Juliet Parents Tybalt Nurse
Themes Young Love Fate Haste/Impulsivity Decisions
Conflicts Man vs. Man: Montagues vs. Capulets Man vs. Man: Romeo vs. Tybalt
Lord of the Flies Author: William Golding Point of View: 3rd person omniscient Setting: 1940s during a fictional war; deserted island; a group of British school boys are evacuated during war and crash onto an island; left to fend for themselves Allegory (metaphorical)
Important Characters Ralph: Leader, goodness, organization, order Jack: Hunter, evil, chaos, disorder Simon: Christ Figure; spirituality; philosophy Piggy: Intelligence, logic, unaccepted
Conflict Man vs. Man: Ralph vs. Jack Man vs. Man: Jack vs. Piggy Man vs. Man: Boys vs. Simon
Themes The inherent (naturally occurring) evil in mankind Good vs. evil Leadership Survival Community vs. Individuality
11th grade literature The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Great Gatsby Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald Point of View: First Person and third person (Nick Caraway) Setting: 1920s; prohibition; Long Island/NYC East Egg: Old money (Daisy and Tom) West Egg: New money (Gatsby and Nick)
Characters Nick Caraway Jay Gatsby Tom Buchanan Daisy Buchanan Myrtle Wilson George Wilson Jordan Baker
Themes The decline of the American Dream The emptiness of the upper class
Symbols The green light Valley of ashes The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg
The Glass Castle Jeannette Walls
Key Facts Published: 2005 Genre: Memoir Setting: Autobiographical: true; written about oneself Brief snapshot of a particular time period in a person’s life Still has “literary” qualities (strong imagery, symbolism, plot, characters, conflicts, etc.) Setting: Time: 1957-2005 Places: Nevada, Arizona, California, West Virginia, and New York Circumstances: a young girl tells her story of growing up in a dysfunctional family
Key Facts Many of the characters are real people that are still alive today. Jeanette Walls: Protagonist Her Parents: Rex and Rose Mary Walls: Antagonists Siblings: Lori, Brian, and Maureen Walls
Themes Hardship Family Dynamics Loyalty Fearlessness Shame Lost Dreams
A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry Setting: 19402-50s; Southside of Chicago The Youngers, a working-class black family, struggle against economic hardship and racial prejudice.
Themes The value and purpose of dreams The need to fight racial discrimination The importance of family
Characters Mama Walter Lee Younger Ruth Beneatha Travis Jospeh Asagai George Murchison Karl Lindner Willy Harris Bobo Mrs. Johnson
Symbols Mama’s Plant Beneatha’s hair
Speak Author: Laurie Halse Anderson Point of View: first person (Melinda tells the story; diary-like; reveals her inner thoughts) Structure: 4 marking periods of Melinda’s freshman year; change of seasons Setting: Modern (Late 90s) Syracuse, NY at Merryweather High School
Characters Melinda Her parents Rachel Andy Evans/”It”/Andy Beast Mr. Freeman Heather Mr. Neck Ivy
Themes Communication Personal Growth Overcoming Painful Experiences Artistic or Personal Expression Violence against women/Agression Fear Depression
Conflicts Man vs. Man: Melinda vs. Andy Evans Man vs. Self: Melinda vs. Self
Symbolism Seasons: Personal changes Fall: Dying/turning inward/Losing oneself Winter: Death/frozen/isolation/desolation Spring: healing/rebirth Tree: Growth; life; overcoming pain Art Tree in her yard=pruning=healing