Independent Novel "Review"



This was my Independent Novel.  I
finished it this weekend.  Highly
recommended!

For the final blog post for your independent novel, I was going to make you write a stuffy book review.  I've decided against that; I would like to read something creative instead!  From the following genres, please choose one of the following to sum up your independent novel.  Again, please give me a bit of background information on the resolution of your novel, simply due to the fact that I have not read each and every one of them!

1. Biography of one of the characters - one of them should have an interesting life; a book was made about them!

2. Condolence letter - characters die; it's just what they do!  Write a condolence letter that expresses another character's sympathy.

3. Crossword puzzle (with clues and answers) - these never get old.  Include details on characters, setting, symbols, etc.

4. Family Tree - sometimes it's difficult to keep characters and their families straight.  Create a family tree that illustrates the complexities of a family and write a brief analysis of your tree.

5. Interview - what would one of the characters have to say in an interview?  What would they be uncomfortable speaking of?  Make them talk about it!

6. Newspaper Article - pretend you're a journalist and you're covering the story of your novel.  What would an objective party have to say about the events that took place?

7. Philosophy of Life - what message did the author send to you as a reader?  What would his/her philosophy of life be based on the novel?

8. Resume - create a character resume.  What would he/she list as previous employers?  Volunteer work?  Interests?  Hobbies?  References?

9. SAT Prompt - write an SAT prompt that deals with a central theme in your novel.  After you have written the prompt, respond to it in your best academic writing voice.  Be sure to incorporate your knowledge of literary devices such as plot, theme, tone, metaphor, irony, etc.

10. TV or Play Script - someone wants to make your novel into a TV show.  Write a script, and be sure to include details on setting, characters, their lines, and actions on-stage/screen.

Vocab Link

Here is the vocab list link so you can study for your test that will be on Monday!  Have an awesome weekend! :)

http://www.cibacs.org/teacherpages/jbronkar/PDFs/Separate%20Peace%20Vocabulary%20List.pdf

Chapters 9-10 "Discussion"

Taken from Google Images

Below are five quotes from chapters 9 and 10 that are incredibly important to these chapters.  Choose one that speaks to you and illustrate its importance in your journal.  Be sure to use your multi-genre sheet for this journal prompt and be ready to share!

"I'm almost glad this war came along.  It's like a test, isn't it, and only the things and the people who've been evolving the right way survive" -Leper (117).

"Winter's occupation seems to have conquered, overrun and destroyed everything, so that now there is no longer any resistance movement left in nature; all the juices are dead, every sprig of vitality snapped, and now winter itself, an old, corrupt, tired conqueror, loosens its grip on the desolation, recedes a little, grows careless in its watch; sick of victory and enfeebled by the absence of challenge, it begins to withdraw from the ruined countryside" -Gene narrating (120).

"It wasn't the cider which made me surpass myself, it was this liberation we had torn from the gray encroachments of 1943 the escape we had concocted, this afternoon of momentary, illusory, special and separate peace" -Gene narrating (128).

"You always were a lord of the manor, weren't you?  A swell guy, except when the chips were down.  You always were a savage underneath.  I always knew that only I never admitted it.  But in the last few weeks I admitted a hell of a lot to myself.  Not about you.  Don't flatter yourself.  I wasn't thinking about you  Why the hell should I think about you?  Did you ever think about me?...Like a savage underneath.  Like, like that time you knocked Finny out of the tree" -Leper (136-7).

"...I couldn't yell soon enough or loud enough, and when somebody did finally come up to me, it was this man with the cough who slept in the next cot, and he was holding a broom because we had been sweeping out the barracks, but I saw right away that it wasn't a broom, it was a man's leg which had been cut off.  I remember thinking that he must have been at the hospital helping with an amputation when he heard me yell.  You can see there's logic in that" -Leper (142).

From Gene's Perspective

Taken from Google Images

For this journal prompt, I want you to write from Gene's perspective.  You just intentionally jounced your best friend out of a tree; the result is that he fell to the ground below and shattered his leg, ruining his chances of playing sports ever again.

What's interesting about Gene is that he is the narrator of the novel, which means that he should act as the protagonist - we should "root" for his character; we should be on Gene's side.  However, many readers often find it difficult to empathize with Gene for what he did to the good-natured Finny.  What do you think about his character?

And if you were Gene, what would you have to say for your actions?

Foil Characters

Gene and Finny
Taken from Google Images



In your first reading of A Separate Peace, you have met the two main characters: Gene and Finny.  These sixteen year old boys could not be more different, and yet they are still friends.  In what ways are these two boys different?  How do their personalities compliment each other?  Have you ever had a friendship like theirs?

From your reading of chapters 1 and 2, what can you determine about the narrator's tone?  Do you think that Gene and Finny will be able to live in peace with one another's differences forever?  Explain your reasoning, and use examples from the text.

Mayella: Sympathetic or Not?



Mayella - a sympathetic character?
Taken from Google Images



Many readers have mixed feelings about Mayella's character.  It is evident from her testimony that she lies about Tom Robinson allegedly beating and raping her, but it is also evident that she has had a pretty rough life.  What do you think about Mayella?  Should readers feel sorry for her?  If so, why?  If not, why?  Give specific evidence for your reasoning!

"Mob Mentality"

"Mr. Cunningham is basically a good man.  He has blind spots along with the rest of us...a mob's always made up of people, no matter what.  Mr. Cunningham was part of a mob last night, but he was still a man.  Every mob in every little Southern town is always made up of people you know...it took an eight year old child to bring 'em to their senses, didn't it?  That proves something - that a gang of wild animals can be stopped, simply because they're still human" (157).

Taken from Google Images

Journal Prompt - Tell a story about a time when you were functioning with the "mob mentality" like Walter Cunningham.  What did you do that you normally wouldn't have done, but because you were with others it seemed okay at the time?  What was the outcome?