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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: 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