Honors Nine: Summer Reading List and Assignment

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The Honors English Program at Chugiak High School holds its students to the highest academic standards and expects students to show a willingness to expand their academic horizons. Over the summer, students will complete a reading assignment and then use the information they have gathered for a writing assignment the second week of school. The writing assignment allows us to evaluate each student’s writing ability and the appropriateness of placement in the Honors Program. Be prepared to discuss and write about the reading.

English Assignment:

Read Sophocles’ play “Antigone”

Suggested text to use: Bantam Classics, Greek Drama edited by Moses Hadas

Read the section “The Royal House of Thebes” in Edith Hamilton’s Mythology before you read the play. OR find a reputable website that discusses the story of Oedipus to use for reference.

“Antigone” fits nicely into the Greek unit with which both the history and literature classes start the year. The presentation of the Greeks’ views and culture in this particular play will provide an abundance of material for discussion.

TAKE NOTES on the following topics: Pride/hubris, Loyalty to Family vs. Country, Loyalty to Country vs. Gods, Gender Roles. While reading the play, look for hints and clues as to the messages Sophocles is trying to deliver about each of the above topics (theme =’s message). Once you have determined what you believe is Sophocles’ message, find quotes to support your conclusions.

For example: Topic: social status

Theme/message: A person's identity is determined by his place in society.

History Assignment:

Research and take notes on the following topics: life of Sophocles, Greek theater and festivals, family life, status of women in Greece and what was happening politically/historically in Greece when Sophocles wrote the play “Antigone”. Bring notes and your sources with you on the first day of school.  In the end, we will be trying to bridge the historical information with the literary text.

Recommended Reading:

There are several novels that we recommend reading over the summer to help prepare you for the upcoming school year. The list below contains a variety of novels that may be covered by your teacher. Previous knowledge of the novels will be beneficial.

Animal Farm George Orwell

Edith Hamilton’s Mythology Edith Hamilton

Lord of the Flies William Golding

Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar William Shakespeare

Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe

Expectations: Essentially, an Honors 9 English student needs to be a student who truly stands out from his/her classmates in depth of thought, writing/reading comprehension skills, ability to understand sophisticated ideas, and motivation to work diligently with difficult concepts.