Siddhartha by Herman Hesse

Note: To fully understand and appreciate Siddhartha, it may be helpful for you to explore concepts like spiritual enlightenment, self-reflection, and even some of the more specific ideas and beliefs of Buddhism. Words like brahmin, ascetics, samanas, nirvana, and om, are very culturally specific and warrant some understanding while trying to make meaning and relevance out of this text. It would be in your best interest to note these words as you come across them in the text and do some quick, informal research on these topics.


Siddhartha explores the path to spiritual enlightenment. In the novel, Siddhartha encounters several people who aid him in one way or another toward achieving enlightenment. Can you discuss at least one important person on Siddhartha's journey who aids in his self-discovery? Be specific as to how that individual helps Siddhartha. Also, in your own life, have there been specific people who have helped you discover important realizations about yourself? Be sure to use false names when writing about real people.

Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

Before addressing the following question, you should do a bit of research on the following concepts: colonialism and post-colonialism writing.

Once again, the novel Things Fall Apart can be very relevant to the world in which we live today. From conflicts created due to culture clashes to characters that are ruled by a force which ultimately leads to great strife and anguish, Achebe's novel has a bit of everything.

What is the greatest lesson to be learned from Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart and why is that lesson important for students in today's society to learn?

1984 by George Orwell

Orwell's 1984 is a cautionary tale; it warns against the dangers of a totalitarian regime that hinders intellectual freedom and liberty. In the novel, Orwell creates a dystopia; however, there are traces of Orwell's fictional world found in today's society. Can you find parallels between Winston's Oceania and the world in which we live today? (Note: You may have to do a bit of background research on the following words: dystopia, social commentary science fiction, and intellectual freedom.)

Another idea to make note of as you read and think about 1984 is the notion of paradox. What is a paradox and can you identify several paradoxical situations present in novel?

Email addresses needed in order to participate

Hello Summer Readers! We just found out that we need to invite you to be members of our blog in order for you to be able to post comments. To do that, we will need you to send us your email address. You can send it to armstrk@brightonk12.com (if you're in 2nd or 3rd hour)or braascj@brightonk12.com (if you're in 4th or 6th hour). Thanks, Mrs. Armstrong and Mrs. Braasch.

P.S. The questions for the remaining texts will be coming soon.

Oedipus Rex/ Oedipus the King

As you read Oedipus the King, be sure to make note of the various types of irony present in the play. Can you identify examples of all three (verbal, situational, dramatic)?

Also, be aware that Oedipus the King is a Greek Tragedy (hint, hint: genre alert); therefore, there are some key components that exist in the play that are present in all Greek Tragedies. One component is the idea that human beings are flawed, and Greek tragic protagonists always have a tragic flaw that leads to their ultimate downfall or destruction. Can you identify Oedipus' tragic flaw? How does it contribute to his downfall?

Do you have a flaw that acts as an obstacle to your own success or can you think of an example of another person in real life that has a tragic flaw? You can consider politicians, historical figures, celebrities, or people you know personally. If you write about someone you know personally, you must conceal their identity by giving them a false name.

Welcome and Basic Guidelines

Welcome to the AP English Summer Reading Blog! We are excited to offer this exciting opportunity for discussing and sharing our thoughts on the great pieces of literature we will be reading this summer.

We will begin the blog with one post per summer read. Your job will be to respond to either our post, or, if someone else has already responded, you can comment of what they had to say. Be sure that you comment at least once on each of the four summer reads. You will receive credit for doing so, therefore be sure to include your name (you could use your first initial and last name if you'd like). Really, the blog is meant to be a pretty informal forum for us to talk about the readings. Since we are pretty new to this, we ask you to be patient while we work out any unforeseen issues. We are sure after a few weeks, we will have everything figured out.

A few guidelines:

• Be sure to keep it positive and academic!
• No inappropriate language.
• Be clear as to whom you are responding.

Have a great summer and happy reading!