2022 Loeppert -- Pride & Prejudice: Home

Use this Links IN SCHOOL:

1. Literature Resource Center

2. World History in Context

Use this Links AT HOME:

1. Literature Resource Center

2. World History in Context

 

 

4 English AP

Ms. Loeppert

College Essay/Pride and Prejudice Reading Calendar and Assignments
 

Assignments:

 

1. Historical Research (25 points): Working with a few of your peers, you will research a topic that will help us set the scene for this late 18th  and early 19th century classic.  I know that you researched this era last year, but this isn't turn of the century America, so it's imperative that we understand the novel's British social, political, and religious setting.  Research your assigned topic and put together a clear, concise, 6-8 minute presentation to the class. You must also include a reference to the novel’s setting or characters within your presentation.  This means that you must read the first 14 chapters before you start your research.  Make sure that your presentation allows us time to ask questions as we take notes on the topic. 

 

You must also type up your findings in a 1 page report with a works cited page, or print out your complete power point with a works cited page.  Please make sure that all sources are credible (i.e. no inappropriate websites such as “British History for Kids!!!” or Wikipedia). There are lots of books in the Central Library that cover each of the topics and the librarians will be happy to help you.  

 

Topics:

• What it meant to be a "lady" (not including marriage): What did upper class women need to know and be able to do?  What specific subjects comprise their academic education? What artistic talents must they exhibit?  What role do they play in entertaining and conversation? For an upper class lady to be considered ‘accomplished,’ what must she be able to do?  Where do we see this in chapters 1-14?  
• The Church of England: Provide a definition of this institution and a brief historical background.  More importantly, explain how the institution is organized—how did one become a vicar, to whom did he owe his allegiance, where did he live?  What was a ‘patron’ or ‘patroness’ for a vicar? How did social class play a role in the hierarchy of the Anglican Church? Focus your textual connection on Mr. Collins.  
• Marriage in upper class society: How did people meet? How were engagements brokered? What role did families play? Once married, what were the responsibilities of each spouse?  What legal rights did women have once married—think property, wealth, the custody of children, potential for divorce. Be sure to explain ‘entailment’ and how this applies to the characters in the novel.  
• The class system: How was British society organized, both economically and socially, in the Regency period? Economically, define to differences between economic classes (working poor vs. merchant class, etc.).  What was the hierarchy of aristocratic titles? How did one obtain a title? Who was at the top and who was at the bottom? Provide a list. Assess the economic and social status of these families in the novel—the Bennets, the Lucases, and the Bingleys, and, in preparation for a character yet to be introduced, explain how a man could purchase a commission as an officer in the military.  
• England at home and in world politics:  What political, philosophical and economic events and/or ideas would Jane Austen have been familiar with when writing the novel? This should include industry, military action, colonial expansion, social movements.  Since this topic is more historical/biographical, don’t worry about finding textual evidence. Do, however, provide a good overview of the philosophical principles with which Austen would have been familiar: John Locke and Adam Smith.  Mr. Stanek, in W307, has volunteered to give you some articles to get started.  

2. Critical Responses (75 Points):  For this novel, I would like you to find three separate sets of critical comments, each from a different category of criticism, and respond to each in a one-two page response (3-6 pages in all).  The comments should come from literary articles, not from book reviews, etc. Please limit yourself to using no more than one of the articles at the back of our edition of the book—I really want you to find your own.  The 1-2 pages do NOT include the critical comments—there should be a full 1-2 pages of your response. Also, make sure you are actually responding to the criticism, not just summarizing the articles.  

 

The categories you should look for are:  feminist criticism, historical/biographical criticism, and a third critical article of your choice from one of the other categories.  

 

Type out the specific comments you are responding to so that I can assess how well you are responding to them.  You should be typing out only the comments to which you will be responding, and these should be cited and in quotation marks.  

 

In the first few sentences of your response, include the name of the article, the author, and the type of criticism the article falls into.  Remember that the response should be 1-2 full pages in length, not including the comments.

 

You must attach a works cited page, formatted in MLA format, so that I know where your articles came from.  

 

3.  Creative Adaptation Paper and Analysis (100 points):  In this paper, you will write a 2-3 page creative piece in which you adapt a scene from the novel to today, and then compose a 2 page analysis of your creative piece.  

 

Choose a scene that particularly appeals to you and then think about how it could be adapted to the people, situations, and social obligations that people experience in the modern day.  You may write about a topic that exists beyond the boundaries of your own experience, but I would prefer that you stick to what you know. This creative piece should include all the stylistic hallmarks of fiction—dialogue, characterization, imagery, elements of plot, etc.

 

You will then, in a 2 page analytical piece, explain to me how your adaptation works.  Be specific! I'm looking for an explanation of how your adaptation exhibits similar characters, situation, values, and theme.  Make sure you address these four areas in both your adaptation and the analysis.    

 

Please organize your analysis into four paragraphs, each paragraph clearly addressing one of the four areas: characters, situation, values (these can be the values of the individuals and/or society), and theme.  

 

4. Frankenstein and Final Paper (100 points in Second Quarter):  As we progress through the P and P unit, you will be reading Mary Shelley's magnificent Frankenstein at your own pace.   No specific details now, but once we finish Pride and Prejudice, we will discuss Frankenstein, Romanticism, the Age of Reason, and how Austen and Shelley managed to challenge and contribute to European philosophy.  You will be leading class discussion in groups. You will be writing an analytic paper in which you synthesize these ideas and make some profound, specific, and exciting connections between literature and philosophy. 

 

Articles

 

Critical Response #1         Grade:           /25

 

Critical Response #2        Grade:           /25

 

Critical Response #3        Grade:           /25

Total Points:                    /75