1. Review of Literature
9th-11th grade

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Themes in OMM Broken Plans/dreams The American Dream Male Friendship
Weakness vs. Strength
The portrayal of women
Loneliness

7. Literary Element Review
To Kill a Mockingbird
Literary Element Review

8. 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

9. Theme The Coexistence of Good and Evil Mrs. Dubose Aunt Alexandra
Boo Radley
Walter Cunningham Senior
Jury

10. Theme The Importance of Moral Education
Atticus – seeing from other’s perspectives; equality; nonviolence
Miss Maudie –respect for all people
Calpurnia

11. Theme The Existence of Social Inequality Tom Robinson’s trial
Finches – Cunninghams – Ewells – Black community

12. Theme The Destruction of Innocence Miss Maudie Mayella Tom Robinson
Jem
Scout

13. Theme
Courage is doing what is right even when the odds of succeeding are poor
Mrs. Dubose beating her addiction
Atticus with the trial

14. Theme Prejudice and superstition leading to injustice
Tom being found guilty when innocent
Boo Radley

15. Symbols in TKAM
Mockingbirds: innocence/loss of innocence

16. 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

17. Romeo and Juliet Author: William Shakespeare Play/Drama/Tragedy
Setting: 1500s; Verona, Italy; Two children from feuding families fall in love

18. 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

19. Other characters Montague's Capulet’s Romeo Benvolio Lady M Montague
Juliet
Parents
Tybalt
Nurse

20. Themes
Young Love
Fate
Haste/Impulsivity
Decisions

21. Conflicts Man vs. Man: Montagues vs. Capulets
Man vs. Man: Romeo vs. Tybalt

22. 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)

23. Important Characters Ralph: Leader, goodness, organization, order
Jack: Hunter, evil, chaos, disorder
Simon: Christ Figure; spirituality; philosophy
Piggy: Intelligence, logic, unaccepted

24. Conflict Man vs. Man: Ralph vs. Jack Man vs. Man: Jack vs. Piggy
Man vs. Man: Boys vs. Simon

25. Themes The inherent (naturally occurring) evil in mankind
Good vs. evil
Leadership
Survival
Community vs. Individuality

26. 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

27. 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)

28. Characters Nick Caraway Jay Gatsby Tom Buchanan Daisy Buchanan
Myrtle Wilson
George Wilson
Jordan Baker

29. Themes The decline of the American Dream
The emptiness of the upper class

30. Symbols
The green light
Valley of ashes
The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg

31. The Glass Castle
Jeannette Walls

32. 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:
Places: Nevada, Arizona, California, West Virginia, and New York
Circumstances: a young girl tells her story of growing up in a dysfunctional family

33. 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

34. Themes
Hardship
Family Dynamics
Loyalty
Fearlessness
Shame
Lost Dreams

35. A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry
Setting: s; Southside of Chicago
The Youngers, a working-class black family, struggle against economic hardship and racial prejudice.

36. Themes The value and purpose of dreams
The need to fight racial discrimination
The importance of family

37. Characters Mama Walter Lee Younger Ruth Beneatha Travis Jospeh Asagai
George Murchison
Karl Lindner
Willy Harris
Bobo
Mrs. Johnson

38. Symbols
Mama’s Plant
Beneatha’s hair

39. 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

40. Characters Melinda Her parents Rachel Andy Evans/”It”/Andy Beast
Mr. Freeman
Heather
Mr. Neck
Ivy

41. Themes Communication Personal Growth Overcoming Painful Experiences
Artistic or Personal Expression
Violence against women/Agression
Fear
Depression

42. Conflicts Man vs. Man: Melinda vs. Andy Evans
Man vs. Self: Melinda vs. Self

43. 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