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The Summer Reading program at Queens is designed to support Core 112, a course inspired by three questions: What is a good person? What is a good life? What is good for society? As you form your own views, you'll develop the classic liberal arts of incisive reading and persuasive writing, thoughtful speaking and respectful listening. In order to practice these skills, first-year students are required to read In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez and prepare an essay for the first day of class.
The program not only encourages incoming students to read and comment about the chosen works, but it also encourages the entire campus, including current students, faculty, administration, and staff to read and get involved with the dialogue.
Queens University of Charlotte is proud to announce the 2008-2009 Summer Reading selection, In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. This fictionalized history is set in the Dominican Republic over the lifespan of the four Mirabel sisters, Patria, Minerva, Marie Terese, and Dedé. Later, these sisters would be known as Las Mariposas or the Butterflies as a symbol of independence and the underground mission for freedom. Alvarez’s work is a reflection of life under the brutal dictatorship of Rafael Léonidas Trujillo and the powerful story of oppression and martyrdom. A rich social remark coupled with a heartbreaking story of political strife, this book is an ideal catalyst for academic conversations concerning the essence of right and wrong, freedom and tyranny, and the role of revolutionary women in history.
“A glorious, symphonic gift of love…A magnificent treasure for all cultures and all time…A novel that celebrates the life current that flows among women, connecting them and giving them courage to fight injustice and endure, and hearts to freely love and forgive…Julia Alvarez is a breathtaking writer.” - St. Petersburg Times (back cover).
1. Carefully read In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. You can get a copy at your local bookstore or from an online retailer.
To read carefully means:
- Find out something about the author, Julia Alvarez. You might start with, for instance, her website: www.juliaalvarez.com. Also check: http://us.penguingroup.com/static/rguides/us/time_of_the_butterflies.html.
- Any story takes place somewhere (the “setting”), and involves people (“characters”) doing something (“plot”); the story is told in a certain way (“language”) and, like a piece of music, examines various issues, ideas, and concerns (“themes”). Be sure you get your very own copy of the book, so that you can make notes in the margins and underline important passages; also, in a separate notebook, make notes about the novel’s setting, characters, plot, language, and themes.
Click here to access resources on how to approach expository (non-textbook) works.
2. Write a 3-4 page paper (typed, double-spaced), in which you answer the following question: In what way does ONE of the characters lead what you would call "a noble life"? Note that in order to answer this seemingly simple question, you'll have to
Here are some suggestions regarding your essay:
- Pick a character, and think carefully about his or her personality, actions, relationships, strengths, weaknesses, and so on
- Be sure to make a specific claim about that specific character
- Be sure you’ve got several good reasons to support your claim
- Include specific evidence, that is, direct quotations, from the book (be sure to cite the appropriate page numbers in your essay)
- Make sure you define the term “noble life” carefully – what exactly do you mean by this term?
- Finally, ask yourself what about this character’s life might help provide direction for your own life.
Your essay will help us begin our course work; you and your instructor will use this first assignment to begin a conversation about careful writing and critical thinking. This first essay will count toward your final course grade in Core 112.
Your paper is due when you have your very first Core 112 meeting on Saturday, August 23, 2008.
Click here to access resources on how to write an essay.
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