Topics for Summer Reading Wiki

Post date: Jan 13, 2016 6:24:44 PM

As mentioned in class, here are the various topics for the Wiki. You should pick one, write 250-300 words about it, and use direct textual evidence from the book to support your discussion.

Out of the Silent Planet—Important Event

Identify and describe the one event in Out of the Silent Planet that you think is the most important to the development of the novel as a whole. Explain how it is important as a catalyst for events that follow it or how it is the culmination of events that come before it. Remember that you should include at least two specific quotes from the novel to support your argument.

Out of the Silent Planet—Obstacles

Describe the two obstacles faced by the main character of Out of the Silent Planet that you think are the most important in his development. You should also analyze how he deals with them. Make sure to include at least two direct quotes from the novel in your response.

Out of the Silent Planet—Setting

Agree or disagree with the following statement: The specific setting of Out of the Silent Planet detracts from the universality of the characters and themes of the novel.

Make sure you identify/define both the aspects of the setting and themes of the novel that are pertinent to your discussion. You should include at least two quotes from the novel to support your argument.

Out of the Silent Planet—Curriculum

Imagine that a school curriculum committee was considering adding Out of the Silent Planet to the required reading for Honors British Literature. Since you are now an expert on the novel, they have asked for your opinion. Explain why you would encourage or discourage them from adding the book to the school's curriculum. Remember, you may choose to keep Out of the Silent Planet as summer reading, to include it as mandatory reading, or to strike it from the curriculum altogether.

Restaurant at the End of the Universe—Author Interview

If you could interview Douglas Adams, what are three questions you would like to ask him? Why would you ask these three things? Be specific about your response, referring to events and characters in the novel that inspired your interview questions. Be sure to include two direct quotations in your response.

Restaurant at the End of the Universe --Critical Quote

Think back over the action of the novel and choose the most important line or single quote in the book. Explain why this line is critical to the rest of the book's plot, theme, etc. You should refer to at least one other direct quote from the book to analyze your choice for the most important line or quotation.

Restaurant at the End of the Universe –Minor Character

Identify one minor character in the novel who, in spite of being a minor character, plays an important role in what happens to the main character. Be sure to explain the impact of the minor character. Also, be sure to include at least two direct quotations in your answer.

Sense and Sensibility—Emotional Response

To which, if any, events in Sense and Sensibility did you respond emotionally? You should describe the event, define your reaction, and then analyze how and why the event produced that effect in you. You should also discuss whether or not your reaction to the event(s) matched or did not match the reactions of the characters involved in the event. Make sure you include at least two direct quotes in your analysis.

Sense and Sensibility—Author Interview

If you could interview Jane Austen, what are three questions you would like to ask her about Sense and Sensibility and/or the society depicted in the novel? Why would you ask these three things? Be specific about your response, referring to events and characters in the novel that inspired your interview questions. Be sure to include two direct quotations in your response.

Sense and Sensibility—Minor Character

Identify one minor character in Sense and Sensibility who, in spite of being a minor character, plays an important role in what happens to the main character(s). Be sure to explain the impact of the minor character. Also, include a direct quotation in your answer.

A Tale of Two Cities—Important Quote

Think back over the action of A Tale of Two Cities and choose the most important line or single quote in the book. Explain why this line is critical to the rest of the book's plot, theme, etc. You should refer to at least one other direct quote from the book to analyze your choice for the most important.

A Tale of Two Cities—Emotional Event

To which, if any, events in A Tale of Two Cities did you respond emotionally? You should describe the event, define your reaction, and then analyze how and why the event produced that effect in you. You should also discuss whether or not your reaction to the event(s) matched or did not match the reactions of the characters involved in the event. Make sure you include at least two direct quotes in your analysis.

The Twisted Root—Obstacle

Describe the two biggest obstacles faced by the main character of The Twisted Root that you think are the most important in his development. You should also analyze how he deals with them. Make sure to include at least two direct quotes from the novel in your discussion.

The Twisted Root—Character Criticism

William Monk often commits actions and/or makes decisions that cause him to struggle morally. Identify one action committed by Monk in The Twisted Root that you disagree with. Explain why you disagree. You should also take into account whether or not this action produces a positive or negative result in the book. Include a direct quote to support your argument.