1987 AP Exam Notes/My Answers

The exam was very difficult primarily because of the range of vocabulary and the diction in the questions and/or Literature. It was very difficult to choose when I was stuck on two answers for a question. That really frustrated me. The essays really gave me a headache especially prompt #1. I was so confused on what was being asked.

1.e
2.b
3.c
4.e
5.a
6.d
7.a
8.a
9.b
10.c
11.d
12.b
13.a
14.e
15.e
16.a
17.b
18.e
19.a
20.b
21.a
22.c
23.a
24.e
25.b
26.e
27.d
28.c
29.a
30.a
31.c
32.d
47.b
48.b
49.e
50.e
51.b
52.a
53.e
54.b
55.d
56.b
57.d
58.a
59.e
60.d
61.a

1987 AP Exam Prompt 2

                                              "Advocating change through literature"

   Change is can either be advocated loud and proudly or silently and effectively. In the novel “The Poison Wood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver, Kingsolver introduces the reader to the Belgium Congo of the 1960’s. The unique way in which she introduces the reader to the Congo is what makes the reader visualize and critique the setting of the novel and the people surrounding it. Kingsolver’s main technique in the novel is symbolism. Many if not all of the main characters symbolize something. Each one inputs the will for change.

    To begin with Nathan Price symbolizes pride and ignorance of those (at the time) who wanted to change the Congo people’s ways. It is impossible to move to a place and want to run the place as if it were your own. Change can sometimes be good, but in the case of Mr. Price there not be change. I think what Kingsolver is trying to tell the reader is that people need to change the way think and consider other’s differences. What is good for one may not be good for another.

     Rachel, the oldest Price symbolized indifference for the Congo people and ignorance toward the whole situation. This attitude may have been the one of many at the time. After all it can be difficult to truly care and sympathize with someone else when your life is perfect, and that is exactly how Rachel thought. On the other hand we had Ruth May who was what Kingsolver meant by change. She wanted people to be accepting and understanding like Ruth May. Unfortunately not all wishes come true.

     Kingsolver tells the truth through her fiction novel. She advocates change silently by introducing her reader to a historical event that raised a lot of questions and chaos. Symbolism is her most eye opening tool. It allows the reader to really analyze the problem and what Kingsolver would like it to be changed to. 

1987 AP Exam Prompt #1

                                                                  "Categorized free time"

    In the selection George Eliot’s conception of old leisure is exactly that, things that were once done and are long. Eliot begins her work of literature by helping the reader visualize how far old leisure is. Old leisure in her eyes is a passive action, nothing compared to the eagerness and rush of today’s Leisure. Eliot uses the devices of personification and hyperbole to get across her message of old leisure.

    In the selection leisure is given a persona/character. Old leisure goes from and it to a he. He has the characteristics of a gentle human being. As described he (old leisure) enjoyed things that the new could not understand. He liked the scent of apricots, liked reading newspaper and being a gentlemen. This was the old and peaceful leisure. Old leisure is now gone like packhorses and slow waggons and pedlars. New leisure is a total rush, wreck less and nothing like the old leisure.

     Not only does Eliot convey her views through personification, but also through hyperbole. The whole selection is a hyperbole. The exaggeration made about old leisure and how it is a rush is absurd. The fact that Eliot gave free time a character and categorized it is what makes it a hyperbole.

    Eliot’s selection conveyed her opinion and experience with old leisure using the devices of hyperbole and personification. Personification because of the leisure’s character and hyperbole because of the big deal that was made about leisure itself. 

Austen/Montaigne Essay

    “The Broad and Structured”

    There is a broad spectrum of ideas that are unable to be seen as concrete. There are drawn to scale, but never quite completed or understood. David Foster Wallace said in his quote “What goes inside is just too fast and huge and all interconnected for words to do more than barely sketch the outlines of at most one tiny little part of it at any given instant.” Montaigne’s techniques and topics contradict with Foster’s notion while Austen’s style supports it.

    Montaigne has such a complex and insightful way of thinking that he confuses his reader. What goes on in his mind is so fast and huge that it makes his philosophies hard to digest. Montaigne’s essays contradict Foster’s notion because he lacks simplicity and privacy in his thoughts. In every excerpt of Montaigne’s essay the reader is inside of Montaigne’s head, viewing his thoughts and feelings about his topics on liars, speech, fear, cowardice and others. It is impossible to take it all in, therefore the reader is forced to sketch an idea of his idea.

    Montaigne’s most evident literary device is Stream of consciousness. His style throughout his essays is an uninterrupted collection of thoughts. Because of Stream of consciousness the reader is able to read Montaigne’s thoughts as he thought them for the first time. This river of flowing thoughts really enabled the reader to get to view Montaigne not just as an author, but also as a human being with strong opinions.

    The novel “Pride and Prejudice” is well organized with characters and a plot, theme and setting. In the novel Austen’s opinion is not required, because each character has their own. Austen is trying to get the reader to understand how life in the 1800’s was and how important marriage and social classes were. Also how love can triumph in any obstacle. Unlike Montaigne, Austen did not have to come up with any evidence for why she wrote what she wrote.

    Austen’s style of writing is much more structured than Montaigne’s due to the fact that her opinions were not published as clear as were Montaigne’s. The point of view was in third person making the novel much more relaxed and not personal. The novel consisted of characters and their thoughts and feeling which is really what differed the two literature works.

    Both works of literature have different styles. Referring to Foster’s notion, Montaigne’s essays contradicted it while Austen’s supported it. The stream of consciousness of Montaigne was too huge for the reader to wrap their head around while Austen’s structure was  complete and comprehensive.