British Literature: Level II

Summer Assignment

 

Highlight and annotate your novel as you read. You will be tested on characters and plot.  The following assignments are due on the first full day of class.  For questions, contact Mrs. Allworth at vallworth@rdhs.org or Mrs. Houston at khouston@rdhs.org

 Review of Jane Austen’s Emma: “First published in 1816, Emma is generally regarded as Jane Austen's most technically brilliant book. But that's not the reason to read it. Read it to see how a scheming heiress who is determined not to marry ends up embracing love and growing in maturity without dying or becoming impossibly insipid, the fate of so many nineteenth-century heroines. As her fourth novel was taking shape, Jane Austen noted "I am going to take a heroine whom no one but  myself will much like." She was wrong. It is easy to love Emma Woodhouse. She is a snob, a meddler, and a spoiled child - she is also smart, funny, generous, and compassionate. Determined to control the arrangements of other people's lives, Emma takes on the self-appointed role of matchmaker in a world that grants little public power to women. Small wonder that Emma, who has a "mind lively and at ease," wastes her considerable creative powers dreaming up romantic scenarios that   consistently and comically fail all reality checks. As in all of Jane Austen's works, the simple theme of courtship belies the complexity of her vision of human nature and of our need for power. Technical brilliance? Yes. Moral brilliance? Most definitely.” From 500 Great Books by Women

Of her protagonist, Emma Woodhouse, Jane Austen once said: “I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.”  In a five-paragraph essay, consider the following question:  How likeable is Emma Woodhouse? 

 

Your typed essay should adhere to MLA formatting, with particular attention to the accurate use of quotations and internal citations.  Although the question is opinion-based, avoid using the first person in your response.  For questions on formatting, grammar, and mechanics, consult the “MLA Format” link on the Learning Resources page of the Regina web site.

 

Your essay should include the following:

Introduction

Begin with a hook, include the author and title of the novel, a very brief summary of the novel, and conclude with a strong thesis addressing the topic. 

Body Paragraph #1

Address Emma's personal strengths and weaknesses.  Give specific examples of her character traits, both positive and negative.  Incorporate a quotation to support one of your examples.

Body Paragraph #2 

Address what other characters think about Emma.  Again, give specific examples and episodes. Incorporate a quotation to support one of your examples.

Body Paragraph #3

Address Emma's growth as a person.  Discuss a specific episode toward the end of the novel where she shows development and change. Incorporate a quotation to support one of your examples.

Conclusion

Assignment #2: Scrapbook

This assignment is creative and will provide you with an opportunity to reflect and respond to the novel, Emma by creating a scrapbook. Using web resources, you will capture “scraps” of information about this piece of literature. You can then create a scrapbook using PowerPoint, or scrapbook software you can download for free from the web. Also, don’t forget there is always the hard copy handmade version that you are welcome to use, too. During the first week of class, you will present your scrapbook to the class and defend your choice of scrapbook entries and how they are important to the understanding of the novel.     If you decide on the PowerPoint version of the scrapbook, and you have Vista, please save your ppt. as 1997-2003 version.  If you want to try the virtual scrapbook, go to the following website: http://www.scrapbookflair.com/bbb/EMMA__BY_JANE_AUSTEN/page1. Create a user name and password and download the FREE scrapbooking software. You can also download various backgrounds and pictures. The download time is a bit lengthy, but the software is fun and virus free.  If you opt for the hard copy, you can buy inexpensive scrapbook materials from your local hobby store or from big retail stores such as Target.

 

 

Expectations

• Create your scrapbook from the point-of-view of any of the characters
• Scrapbook must be at least 10 pages long
• Include a Works Cited page at the end that acknowledges your sources: web and/or images
• You need to include 5 written pieces sprinkled throughout your scrapbook
• You need to include 5 visuals pieces sprinkled throughout your scrapbook
• You need to include artifacts and scraps throughout the scrapbook
• You need to include a Title Page and preface
• All work in your scrapbook must be final-draft ready
• You will be graded on creativity, scrapbook quality, presentation and understanding of novel

Title Page

A catchy title along with your name

 

Preface

Brief introduction of your character – this can be done in a quirky interview form or personality summary or in some way that explans who your character is, their role in the novel and your overall impression of this person – would you like to know them?

 

Artifacts and Scraps

A scrapbook in a mixture of multiple things: art, writing, pictures and a variety of information to capture a piece of literature. These little scraps incorporate insights, emotions, thoughts, memories, visuals, objects related to the character, customs, art, architecture, experiences, quotes, etc. that bring that literary character to life.     

 

Ideas for Your Scrapbook: Both Writing and Visual Pieces

• Artifacts from your character’s life: flowers, birthday cards, postcards, stamps, mementoes
• Poems about or by the character (original or written poetry) (writing)
• Letter of forgiveness or advice to or from your character (writing)
• Shopping list from a typical or important day for your character (art)
• Newspaper or magazine clippings (fashion, art, food) your character would save (art)
• A sociogram – a diagram of the relationships in your book (like a family tree) (art)
• Post cards or letters to or from your character to other important people in your character’s life (writing)
• A collage representing the problems or challenges in your character’s life (art)
• Art that illustrates an important scene or location in your book (art)
• Settings found throughout the novel that highlights the social class of these characters (art)
• A diary entry from your character or another character in the novel (writing)
• Song lyrics that the character might like (can be today’s music) (writing)
• Illustrations of the character (art)
• 5 items the character would save in a fire with explanation (art & writing)
• Interview with the character (can be funny or straightforward) (writing)
• 10 Commandments that character would live by (writing)
• Life line of the character which includes the major events in this character’s life (art)
• Entertainment and Food and Shopping or A Day in the Life of Your Character (art)
• Character collage with pictures, quotes and sayings that the character would like (art & writing)
• Scene from the novel using pictures, poetry, quotes, etc.(art & writing)
• 3 Objects that the character finds important (art)
• Custom or tradition particular to the character’s family (art)
• Historical context in character’s life (art)
• Issue that pops up throughout the novel and how others respond to it (writing)
• Values, character traits and ethical issues faced by your character (writing)