Download English 9 Summer Reading Task - Holy Trinity Diocesan High School

English 9 Summer Reading Study Guide: Heroes, Gods, and Monsters
Why are you reading this book?
Each day, our world becomes more and more technologically advanced. Nonetheless, in our
popular culture, we keep returning to the timeless stories of gods and heroes. Sometimes, we
are entertained by new re-tellings of old tales – Clash of the Titans and 300, for example.
Sometimes, we enjoy stories that address classic themes in updated or modernized ways –
Percy Jackson, Star Wars, and Harry Potter, to name just a few.
Heroes, Gods, and Monsters of the Greek Myths, one of your summer-reading books, provides
a broad overview of the fantastic characters whose adventures have enthralled generations of
readers and listeners. A well-educated person knows these characters and their stories – and
can relate them to modern life.
Because Heroes, Gods, and Monsters is an anthology rather than a novel, we offer this study
guide to help you focus on the book’s most important characters and themes. Students who
prepare study guides will be permitted to consult them during parts of the Summer Reading
Test given in class on Friday, September 18. (The test format will be a combination of multiplechoice questions and written-response questions about this book and about The Chosen by
Chaim Potok.)
Identify these main figures of Greek/Roman mythology.
o Gaea
o Uranus
THE TITANS
o Cronus (Saturn)
o Ocean
o Hyperion
o Atlas
o Prometheus
Some of the above gods played major roles in the creation of the world and/or of the human
race.
THE OLYMPIANS (Roman names are in parentheses.)
o Zeus (Jupiter)
o Hera (Juno)
o Hades (Pluto)
o Poseidon (Neptune)
o Apollo
o Artemis (Diana)
o Demeter (Ceres)
o Athene (Minerva)
o Helios
o Ares (Mars)
o Hephaestus (Vulcan)
o Aphrodite (Venus)
o Eros (Cupid)
o Hermes (Mercury)
o Dionysus (Bacchus)
Be familiar with each god’s special powers and/or the aspects of nature with which each god is
associated.
HEROES AND MORTALS: Gather key facts about these characters.
o Hercules
o Orion
o Phaethon
o Perseus
o Theseus
o Cassiopeia
o Pandora
o Orpheus
o Narcissus and Echo
o Andromeda
o Daedalus and Icarus
o Midas
o Pygmalion
o Psyche
MONSTERS AND STRANGE CREATURES: Gather key facts about these
characters.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Medusa
Pegasus
The Sphinx
The Sirens
Cerberus
Centaur
The Fates
The Nerieds
The Cyclops
Familiarize yourself with a map of Greece and the Mediterranean
Region. Take notes on why each of these real places is significant:
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Athens
Sparta
Ithaca
Mt. Olympus
Crete
Troy
(This map is provided for reference
purposes. Books and/or the
Internet can give you larger,
clearer images. Know where each
of the above places is located.)
In addition, take notes on these mythical places:
Hades The River Styx Elysian Fields*
* The science fiction movie Elysium gets its title from this term.
Key Themes: Many of the myths focus on characters who behave
heroically; some myths depict characters who behave foolishly. Be able
to write in detail about mythic heroes and mythic fools.
Near the end of the book is a chapter called “Mythology Becomes
Language.” After reading the previous chapters, you will be able to
grasp the connections between ancient myths and modern language.
(For example, your new school’s sports teams are known collectively as
The Titans.) Take brief notes on the meanings of the words that appear
in “Mythology Becomes Language.”
On Friday, September 12, you will take the test on your summer
reading books: Heroes, Gods, and Monsters by Bernard Evslin and The
Chosen by Chaim Potok.
We hope you enjoy this reading assignment – and we look forward to
meeting you in September!
The Holy Trinity English Department