AP English - Language & Composition

In case you lose it, here's the summer reading guide!

NOTES ON THE REFLECTIVE LOG:

Writing a reflective log may sound tedious, but ten years from now, since you'll of course save this notebook until you die, you'll be able to look back and say, "Hey, I was a pretty smart dude (or "dudette" for the ladies).  I also guarantee that this will be valuable in college (especially since my college English experience wasn't as tough as AP). 

I'll give you an example of what I might want to reflect on:

Recently, I read a passage in the James Jones Novel From Here to Eternity, which takes place right before WW II in a Hawaiian military base.  In this scene, an officer guilts his wife into making him a sandwich.  Now, both people dislike each other.  They are married because of the benefits, she gets a house and stability, he gets a trophy wife that goes to all the social events.  This man says he could go eat with the other officers at the local club, but really wants a cheese sandwich.  Then he gets apologetic and tells his wife not to worry about it.  Then she feels guilty and makes it.  Keep in mind this officer has wronged his wife by cheating on her, and she definitely holds it against him.

For reflection, I might:  Talk about the feminist aspects of this passage.  Why did she make the sandwich?  What was the role of women in that time?  Was this right?  What consequences may there have been for not making it?  And on and on and on. 

This may not have been the most exciting example in the world, but I think all of you are smart enough to get my drift.  There are important questions that every literary work of any value induces us to ask.  Think as you read.  That's all you need to do. 

I HIGHLY recommend that you reflect on each question in your notebook, and add any questions that pop up in your head.  This course is for the thoughtful people of the world, which all of you must be or you wouldn't be here.

Also, "yes" or "no" answers really make me sad inside.  What's the point of answering "yes" or "no" without explaining WHY?  There is no point.  So be thorough.

LITERARY CRITICISM

Research Literary Criticism.  What is it?  What is its purpose?

Research Marxist Literary Criticism and offer a brief summary of how it is applied.  Who was Karl Marx?  What were his goals?  How did his writing affect history?

COMMUNIST MANIFESTO

Read the Preamble and Sections I and II of the Communist Manifesto. 

How did this document give birth to Marxist Criticism?  What do you this of Marxist Communism as a system of government?  (Note:  There is a difference between this and Stalinism or Russian Communism)

Preamble: The opening line “A spectre is haunting Europe – the spectre of Communism” implies that Communism is taking root at the time this manifesto was written.  If this is the founding, principle document of Communism, how is that possible?  What two competing forces does Marx identify in the world and in history?  How does this struggle manifest itself?  How do the powerful maintain control, according to Marx?

Section I: Marx believes the proletariat will eventually gain control.  He believes it must and will happen.  Looking back, in what ways was he right?  Wrong?  Marx argues that workers should own the means of production.  Explain in your own words what this means, giving examples to demonstrate your understanding.

Section II: Marx proscribes the ideal government (keep this in mind when reading Utopia later).  He lists 10 tenants or conditions for transition.  What are they and do you agree with them?  Respond to each and explain your position.

UTOPIA

What is a Utopia?  What is ironic about the word “utopia”? 

In the book, Utopia, what is the effect of the story being told through letters?  What criticisms of Europe do we see from Raphael?  Which criticisms would Marx agree with?  Raphael talks of Plato’s views on government. 

Put down Utopia now.  Read Books VI-VII of Plato’s Republic.   What was his idea of the perfect government?  What was a Philosopher-King?  How does Plato define a philosopher?  HINT: translate the word philosopher.  How does it apply Utopia?  What do you think of the concept?  Is it workable?  Do a Marxist analysis of Plato’s government as proposed in your readings.  What would Karl Marx think of it?  How does it fit / not-fit with his views?

Back to Book II of Utopia.  Why might More put the Utopian kingdom in the Americas?  Keep in mind when this was written.  Is there an intrinsic problem in a highly regimented society, such as the one presented here?  Mr. Borthwick thinks there is.  He could be wrong.  He is also speaking in the third person.  Deal with it.  In both a communist and utopian society, property ownership is abolished.  Why do both Marx and More find this necessary for an ideal society?  Oddly, there is slavery in Utopia.  How is this justified?  How does this potentially undermine the society?  What is religion’s place on the island? 

Why might the Catholic Church condemn this book?

Utopia is often seen as a satire.  How could this be the case?  If so, why would he do this?  If not, what is it suggesting?

Look at Heironymus Bosch’s painting The Garden of Early Delights.  It is a triptych.  What in the world is that?  Look at The Earthly Paradise.  How might this painting appear utopian?

What utopian societies/colonies have been attempted over the years?  Describe at least two and explain what happened therein.

What is your idea of a utopia?  Explain what your utopian government would be like.  What would the role of government be?  What would people do?  Be realistic.

THE PRINCE

Look up the term “Machiavellian”.  This originated from The Prince.  Who are some modern day Machiavellian figures?  What makes them Machiavellian in your eyes?  In the eyes of society? 

According to Machiavelli, what is the nature of power?  How does this relate/differ to Utopia?  What would Marx say? 

In the book, what is more important, force or law?  What about in real life? Explain.

Machiavelli believes that the means justifies the end.  Do you agree or disagree?  Consider the recent debate on waterboarding.

Machiavelli believes that a good prince will always be prepared for war.  Do you agree?  Compare America’s military budget with the rest of the world.  What do you think about the numbers?

What are qualities necessary to a leader?  Machiavelli says a leader need only APPEAR to have these qualities.  Why are appearances more important than reality?

What would Machiavelli think of the modern welfare state?  What are the differences between the American and Western European welfare states?

Machiavelli says that it is better to be feared than loved.  Do you agree?  Does this work in practice?  Would it be better for America to be feared, or loved?  Explain.

Machiavelli asserts that there are three types on intellect: those who are selfish, those who are selfless, and those who are neither.  Do you agree with these classifications?  Or are there other types of intelligences?  Explain.

Is The Prince relevant in today’s world?  Why or why not?

ON THE DUTY OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

“That government which governs best, governs least.”  This famous quote came from Thoreau’s essay.  Do you agree or disagree?  Explain.  Consider entitlement programs in your response.

Explain the concept of libertarianism.  Now explain its relationship to this reading. How might, unlikely as it seems, Marx’s views on Communism be compatible with Thoreau’s as outlined here?

What are Thoreau’s views on the purpose of armies and the execution of war?  Is this true today?  Has it been true in history?  Explain.

Thoreau points out a flaw in majority rule.  What is the flaw?  Kurt Vonnegut says that the only difference between George Bush and Hitler was that Hitler was elected.  Ouch.  Do you think that’s harsh, or appropriate?  Explain what you think he meant and how it applies to Thoreau’s position here. 

In America, politicians do not have to be educated, only elected.  Is this fair?  Problematic?  Both?  What if our President was a high school dropout?  How might that affect the country, if at all?

Does a corporation have a conscience?  Does a corporation of men with a conscience create a corporation with a conscience?  Thoreau uses the word “corporation” differently in each sentence / pronouncement.  Explain the difference and expound.

Thoreau points out that war is often against the will of the soldier, yet the soldier must go to war.  Is this fair or right?  Explain.

Thoreau says that the government and military turn a man into a shadow of himself.  Explain what he could mean by this.

The army suspends freewill, Thoreau, and thereby suspends free thought.  Why does the military do this?  Why does Thoreau object?

Thoreau is naturally distrustful of politicians and soldiers.  Why?

Do you recognize the right of revolution as explained by Thoreau?  Or now that America has had one (albeit 200+ years ago), do we no longer have that right?

Thoreau argues that America is hypocritical because we revolted against the British for taxing our goods when our very own government does the same.  Do you agree with his sentiment?  Explain.

Thoreau disparages voting because he basically argues that campaigns for office are inherently deceptive and manipulative.  Is this true?  What would the consequences be if so?  Explain.

Thoreau says that, even when people do not support their government’s actions ideologically, they support them with tax dollars, which he considers equally wrong.  Do you agree with his position?

Thoreau’s solution to this problem is to simply not pay taxes, which, of course, gets people into some trouble.  Is the trouble worth taking a moral stand?  At what point do we take a moral stand, knowing there are consequences?  As in, what consequences are worth doing what’s right?

Civil disobedience, by definition, is the resistance to unjust law by non-compliance.  One must accept the punishment of breaking the law, but in the breaking or ignoring, one has lodged protest.  Is this effective?  Give examples of the effectiveness of civil disobedience in history.

Is there such a thing as justice?  What do you do when you face injustice?  What do you do about global injustice?  If you do nothing, as is the case for most of us, why?

WAR IS A RACKET

How are Maj. Gen. Butler’s views on war reflective of Thoreau’s?  What do YOU think the reason for war is?  Summarize and tell me what you think of Maj. Gen. Butler’s view.

Why do you think he gave this speech all around the country?  Did it affect anything?  Is Butler’s view of real reason for war applicable to any subsequent wars from WWII to Iraq?  OPTIONAL:  Watch the Internet Movie Zeitgeist.  This movie is long, but an interesting and thoughtful analysis of religion, politics, and power throughout history.  You don’t have to watch it, but it’s insightful.

FEAR & LOATHING IN AMERICA

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How is this piece in some way connected with the ideas of Maj. Gen. Butler?  This was written one day after September 11^th.  How was this prescient?  Why would Hunter S. Thompson be inspired to write this?  What made him so cynical?

What is gonzo journalism and how is this an example of it?  How do you feel about gonzo journalism?

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