Novel Study

Your final module in the course requires you to consider closely four short stories and your choice of one novel. By studying short stories, you will learn key concepts related to the genre, and you will explore the essential questions on a smaller scale. As you examine the novel in greater detail, you will appreciate the artistry and complexity of the text in light of the essential questions on a broader scale. This work will draw your study of English 20-1 to a close.

The following essential questions will continue to guide your work.

  • What influence do others have on who we become?
  • What drives our need to belong?
  • How important is it to pursue our passions?
  • What does it mean to "live well"?


Required Texts

To complete this module, you will need:

  1. Viewpoints 11

  2. A dictionary, thesaurus, and Writer's Handbook

  3. Two sets of sticky notes: One set of four mini tabs of different colours and one set of larger, square sticky notes.

  4. Your choice of one novel:
  • Bleachers (John Grisham)
  • Lord of the Flies (William Golding)
  • Obasan (Joy Kogawa)
  • The Help (Kathryn Stockett)
  • The Joy Luck Club (Amy Tan)

Note: Read the novel summaries to help you make your selection. Some of the novels have mature content. Contact your teacher to help you select a novel that is appropriate for you.

You must have finished reading your novel to complete the 7.3 Novel Assignment which appears later in this module. Continue reading the novel while you work through the short story assignments, if needed.