Download World History AP 2013 Summer Assignment

The Summer Reading Assignment for World History AP
Choose One of the Following Books to Read:
The Three-Inch Golden Lotus: A Novel on Foot Binding
Author: Feng Jicai
“In his intriguing 1985 novel, Feng explores complex topics (such as the troubled
relationship between truth and falsehood and the dangers of overzealous attempts at social
reform) primarily through Chinese foot binding, the traditional practice of breaking a
young girl's feet and tightly wrapping them so that they remain only three inches long.
Set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the story follows Fragrant Lotus, a poor girl
whose superbly bound feet bring her to the attention of Tong Ren-an. A dealer in antiques
and a bound-foot fetishist, he selects his daughters-in-law by the excellence of their feet.
In the household, competition for power is fierce; dominance goes to the woman judged
by Tong's friends to have the best feet. Fragrant Lotus masters the ‘rules, skills, tricks’ of
caring for her most valuable asset, but when Tong dies and reform is in the air, she must
learn new skills to battle the Natural Foot Society – which calls for women to unbind their
feet, a painful process – and to confront her own secret relationship with this group’s
leader.”
~ Publishers Weekly
Ishmael
Author: Daniel Quinn
“Quinn (Dreamer) won the Turner Tomorrow Award’s half-million-dollar first prize for
this fascinating and odd book – not a novel by any conventional definition – which was
written 13 years ago but could not find a publisher.
The unnamed narrator is a disillusioned modern writer who answers a personal ad
(‘Teacher seeks pupil…Apply in person.’) and thereby meets a wise, learned gorilla named
Ishmael that can communicate telepathically. The bulk of the book consists entirely of
philosophical dialogues between gorilla and man, on the model of Plato's Republic.
Through Ishmael, Quinn offers a wide-ranging if highly general examination of the
history of our civilization, illuminating the assumptions and philosophies at the heart of
many global problems. Despite some gross oversimplifications, Quinn’s ideas are fairly
convincing; it’s hard not to agree that unrestrained population growth and an obsession
with conquest and control of the environment are among the key issues of our times.
Quinn also traces these problems back to the agricultural revolution and offers a
provocative rereading of the biblical stories of Genesis. Though hardly any plot to speak of
lies behind this long dialogue, Quinn’s smooth style and his intriguing proposals should
hold the attention of readers interested in the daunting dilemmas that beset our planet.”
~ Publishers Weekly
The Assignment:
Incoming World History Advanced Placement students are required to read either The
Three-Inch Golden Lotus by Feng Jicai or Ishmael by Daniel Quinn over the summer
vacation and to complete the following three mini-assignments for the student’s selected
book:
Assignment #1:
Choose a significant character from The Three-Inch Golden Lotus or Ishmael. Write a
one-page summary (single-spaced, Times New Roman font, Size 12) of the character’s
Point of View [regarding foot-binding and the changes occurring in China in The ThreeInch Golden Lotus or regarding the rise of civilization and the impact of humanity on the
earth in Ishmael].
What is Point of View?
Point of View is an individual’s attitude or way of considering a matter. ~ Oxford
Dictionary
Examples of Point of View:
“Since Martin Luther had been deemed a heretic and was dependent upon local princes
for protection, it is not surprising that he would be so vehement in condemning events that
many linked to him and that were causing such civil unrest.” ~ College Board
“Leonard von Eck, as a chancellor, would likely hold this view since as a government
official he is probably very concerned with preserving order and the stability of the
political structure. ~ College Board
In other words:
An individual’s point of view is shaped by the individual’s experiences, beliefs and
values; it is how the individual understands the world in which he/she lives.
Assignment #2:
Create a timeline of the novel’s significant events.
You may be creative in the presentation of your timeline. Perhaps you want to include
illustrations or quotations.
Assignment #3:
Create a six panel comic strip for one significant event or episode in the novel. You may
cut and paste images into your panel or you may illustrate your panel. Select an event or
episode that was particularly moving.
NOTE: The assignments must be completed individually. AP teachers will compare
assignments.
A Thought before Reading:
"A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving."
~ Lao Tzu (780 - 490 B.C.)
Enjoy the journey!