Download 9 H Summer Reading Assignment Chart 17-18

Summer Reading English 9 Honors
2017-2018
All incoming ninth grade honors students must read the book Mythology by Edith Hamilton and
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman before school commences in August. We recommend that
students read Mythology first and then Anansi Boys.
Edith Hamilton’s Mythology describes all of the characters and stories of Greek mythology.
You are expected to read the introduction, all portions of the book that describe the Greek
myths, as well as the Norse myths at the end of the book, to familiarize yourself with these
myths and mythological figures. However, you will not be expected to commit it all to memory.
The following is a list of characters that you will be expected to study because they are the basis
of pieces of literature you will read in the honors/AP track of high school English classes:
Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Hermes, Ares, Hephaestus,
Demeter, Persephone, Pandora, Prometheus and Io, Europa, Narcissus, Adonis, Cupid and
Psyche, Pyramus and Thisbe, Orpheus and Eurydice, Daedalus, Hercules, Atalanta, Trojan
War, Tantalus and Niobe, Oedipus, Antigone, Midas, Pan, Triton, Leda, Castor, Pollux, Helen,
Gorgon, Furies, all of Norse mythology
Take notes on these characters/myths. The goal of the notes is only to summarize the
characters’ prominent qualities and significant experiences. Bring these notes and the book to
class on the first day of school.
After reading Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman students should complete the packet titled Greek
Mythology and Anansi Boys Summer Synthesis. Students can choose to write directly on
the packet in neat handwriting or download it from the English Department website and type
directly on it. Bring this packet, as well as your notes and two books, to school on the first day.
They will be used on the first day of school. You should also be prepared for a summer reading
exam that first week of school.
Have a wonderful summer. Happy reading!
Sincerely,
The 9th Grade Honors English Teachers
Name _____________________________
9 Honors EN Class Period _________
Greek Mythology and Anansi Boys Summer Synthesis Packet
One purpose of the honors/AP track at Solon High School is to expose students to a variety of
classic, acclaimed literature, as well as contemporary works. The foundation of all literature
(plays, poems, stories, novels) is found in Greek mythology, as the Greeks pioneered
storytelling in various forms. You spent a portion of your summer studying the stories told by
the Greeks, as well as a contemporary spin on mythology. The author of one of your books,
Edith Hamilton, summarized the characters and plotlines for you. Now, I’d like you to
consider both books and synthesize information. Complete the following:
Reread/review all of your notes and use your books to complete what follows.
Determine the characteristics/traits of characters that you find repeatedly throughout the
myths.
Trait/characteristic
Excessive Pride
Who exhibited this
trait?
Bellerophon
Narcissus
Why was this trait
repeated so often in
mythology? What do
you think the Greeks
thought of this
quality?
It is a common fault
among humans and
the fate of these two
shows us that the
Greeks frowned upon
people who exhibited it.
What connections to
Anansi Boys can you
make? Include a
character name wherever
possible.
Grahame Coats has a bit
of this when he believes
that he can outsmart all
of the people he has
conned.
What qualities or characteristics do you think the Greeks admired in their heroes and gods?
Defend your answer with at least two myths.
What qualities or characteristics do you think the Greeks admired least in their heroes and
gods? Defend your answer with at least two myths.
The myths were told to relate history, to explain creation, to grapple with life after death,
and to entertain. Think about the themes presented in the myths and complete this chart.
Remember that a theme is a universal statement or message.
Write a theme repeated in two or more stories.
Excessive pride often leads to disaster.
Which characters are
involved?
Bellerophon
Narcissus
Why do you think these themes were of interest to the Greeks? Associate at least two of
these themes to Anansi Boys.
It is said that “there are no new stories”—that we can trace all plotlines, conflicts, and
themes back to Greek mythology. After your study of Edith Hamilton, what stories that you
have been exposed to support this idea? Think of novels, plays, movies, television, etc.
What characteristics that the Greeks admired or despised are still admired or despised by our
culture?
What conflicts that were explored in Greek mythology are still being explored today?