English III Honors Summer Reading Assignment

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

As you read The Grapes of Wrath this summer, you should 1. Take notes on:

plot events character description setting any literary devices you notice

Try to write at least one note on each page of the book. A running plot summary at the top of each page is helpful on tests when you are looking for a certain event. 2. Keep a reading journal which records your honest reactions to the events and characters in the book. These pages will become part of your notebook for English class and should be clearly labeled with the chapter numbers. You will be allowed to use your book and reading journal on the timed tests and writings. The reading journal will be collected for a grade on your first day of class as an English III Honors student. Aim for an average of 50 words of reaction to each chapter.

A note on The Grapes of Wrath: Some novels leave the reader who is not widely read confused because the reader knows little of the social, economic, or historical context out of which the characters are operating. Because Steinbeck provides this context in The Grapes of Wrath, however, this is not the case in this novel. With a few exceptions, most odd-numbered chapters (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, and 29) provide a context for the Joad family story that is told mostly in the even-numbered chapters (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30). As a result, you know how and why events happen; thus, these chapters may seem extraneous at first, but you should note in your reading journal how the odd-numbered chapters illustrate and/or illuminate what is to come. In discussion the odd-numbered chapters are referred to as inter chapters; the even-numbered, as narrative chapters.

When you first purchase your copy of The Grapes of Wrath, please do not be discouraged by the thickness of the book. Steinbeck’s language is very easy to read and understand. You will quickly learn to appreciate one of the most famous and influential books in American literature. Have a great summer! The English Department

New Due Date: August 28, 2006