1. Introduction to ASP Honors English I
A SEPARATE PEACE
Introduction to ASP
Honors English I

2. John Knowles
“All of my books are based on places, places I know very well and feel very deeply about. I begin with that place and then the characters and the plot emerge from it.” –Knowles, author of A Separate Peace. 1.Complete research on this quote – which place of Knowles serves as the backdrop to ASP?

3. John Knowles 2.What do we know about the author?
Please give a brief description of his childhood, his college experience, his work, his family life, etc. Lastly, Why is it important to understand an author prior to reading their work?

4. Phillips Exeter Academy
3. Please research Phillips Exeter Academy, the backdrop to A Separate Peace. Then, list ten different facts about the school. Why do you believe Knowles decided to base his novel on this location?

5. Seal and Translation
4. Please copy these latin phrases into your notes and then research and state their English meanings.
Non sibi
Finis origine pendet
Xapiti oeot

6. 5. Making Predictions: Read the quote to the left
5. Making Predictions: Read the quote to the left. Not knowing much of the plot line of A Separate Peace, what could you infer about the novel based off of this quote? What about the themes? What could this foreshadow about the novel?

7. Understanding conflict within yourself is a necessary part of growing up. Please respond to the following questions for number 6.
A) What kind of inner conflicts can a person feel about other people/events?
B) How can an inner conflict be painful or frightening to recognize?
What kind of inner conflicts can a person feel about other people/events?
C) How can an inner conflict be painful or frightening to recognize?
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8. 7. Friendship grows through conflict, resolving differences, forgiveness, and accepting strengths and weaknesses of each other.
A) Do you think a good friendship can exist without conflict?
B) How can conflicts between friends be resolved?
C) Do you agree that a person has to accept a friend’s weaknesses as well as strengths?

9. 8. A person’s own insecurities may cause him or her to misinterpret a friend’s actions or words.
A) What kind of insecurities do young people feel?
B) How is it possible to misinterpret someone else’s actions or words in terms of your own insecurities?
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