After a good meal and a good pipe, George felt tired.
Sometimes we just do things for the heck of it. I'd like to believe that you will read two (no not a misprint) of the novels on our essential book list and go on to pick up half a dozen more before the end of the semester. And I trust that you will; nonetheless, as impetus behind our goal of passing AP and of easing through the first year of college without ENG 1101 or 1102, your assignments for independent reading are as follows:

Option One: Due the 1st Day of Spring: Compare the novel you have just read to one of the other novels/plays we've read in class. For the juniors, this equates to The Martian Chronicles, The Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. For the seniors, add on Great Expectations and Jane Eyre, Our Town, Of Mice and Men and The Merry Wives of Windsor. Use the standard conpare/contrast format (handout available). What is there to compare? Differentiated moral values, the place of women in society, the respective literary movements - you decide. 300-400 typed, double spaced words. (If you choose this option, you must also do the same assignment for another novel from the list, due April 25th.)(100 points each.)

Option Two: Compare the novel you have just completed with one other novel from the list. Compose a 650+ word essay on the impact each of the novels had on its era. As well, include the impact of the novels today. What doors were opened, closed, busted down, refined, expanded? (200 points.)