At the start of this year, I had a strong dislike for book reading. However, with some initial interest in the very first novel of this class, “The Stranger,” I decided to give books another shot. And I liked it. Although I did not love every book we read this year as much, I must attribute this class and “The Stranger”, to my decision to start reading more on my own time. I mean it when I say that this book showed me how books can be far more than things I just have to read for class. 

In, “The Stranger,” Camus takes us on a journey into a world beyond morality and conventional meaning. I was initially confused by Meursault’s detached manner and existential reflections, but as I learned more about his psychology, I came to see that he is a powerful critic of conventional happiness and societal expectations. The way that this book examined authenticity and individuality was, in my opinion, one of its most revolutionary features. Meursault’s defiance of social convention, particularly throughout his trial and subsequent execution, made me re-think the social forces dictating our actions and the results of mindlessly following cultural norms. 

Additionally, it sparked my interest in Albert Camus and his philosophical ideas. Intrigued by Camus’ views on existentialism, nihilism, and absurdism, I read some more of his work. As I explored more, such as his philosophy essays, I gained a greater understanding of existentialism and how he challenged conventional beliefs about existence. Although I do not agree with everything he stands for, learning about his philosophy has impacted how I approach life’s obstacles and questions about purpose, and it will continue to shape my perspective as I continue life after high school.

By the end of the book, I found great resonance in Camus’ depiction of the absurdity of human existence. I was originally disturbed by Meursault’s existential indifference and acceptance of life’s intrinsic meaninglessness. But when I thought about Camus’ absurdist philosophy, I began to value the freedom that comes with accepting life’s uncertainties. Rather than giving up on life’s inherent absurdities, I took comfort in the notion that meaningful personal experiences and connections can be made. 

Ps.

Thanks Mr. Heidkamp, I hope I became the swiss chard you always believed I could be.

As I reflect on senior year and all that we have done in AP Lit, it is interesting to see the effect that the class has had on things such as my values and views of the world. I think it could be said that every novel we have read has made me question those views or look at things a different way, the one that had the greatest impact for me was Shakespeare’s King Lear. Reading this play was an experience that prompted further reflection on myself and relationships with those around me.

One aspect of this work that stood out to me was the portrayal of human nature and the reality of the consequences that result from our actions. In the play, we see how overtime King Lear loses everything as a result of his pride and ego. To me this served as a lesson that one’s selfishness can lead to missing the bigger picture or being blind to what is really happening. When this happens it not only negatively affects you, but also those around you, emphasizing that our actions can have their consequences. 

King Lear’s complex relationship with his daughters also says a lot. To start, I think that it stresses the importance of authenticity and being yourself. Looking back on the past four years of high school, it is very important to stay true to who you are. This is something that can be difficult when meeting and getting to know new people and also with the role social media plays. This also transfers over when talking about specifically familial relationships. The play exhibits how values such as empathy, trust, and authenticity play a role in the interactions we have with loved ones. 

Overall, reading King Lear has helped lead me to a better understanding and a different way of viewing one’s sense of self, but also those around you. It has made me reflect on my decision making in my day to day life, and how those decisions impact those around me. It has also allowed me to think more about the various relationships in my life and what those relationships are built upon. 

For me the most influential piece of literature we read in class was the play King Lear. As you probably know Im not the best reader, at least I grew up being told that. For me reding is always something negative because compared to other people im just not as good at it. What made King Lear originally interesting for me was how we read it in class because everyone particspated and it was preformed out loud so I got to listen to the book, while being entrtainted which also helps because I also have adhd. This made the play really fun for me and I really leaned into it more than the other books we read this year. 

Not only have I enjoyed how we read the play this year but I also really enjoyed how complex it was. I think one of the best essays I have ever written in my opnion was the kind lear first essay about the storm. The metaphors and symbols in this play went so deep liek the storm being able to reveal who truly is loyal to king lear, while being a symbol for his feelings. The dynamics and relashionships as well challenged a lot of common themes today. The differnece between who is really loyal: the people who always make you feel good and agree with you, or the peopel who are honest and care on a personal level. 

Another dynamic in the play i found interesting was the entire theme of blood family versus the family you meet along the way. Being a teenager I found this so interesting especially because I feel like I think alot more about what my friends are doing and priortize spending time with them. Not that thats a bad thing but you family is usually portrayed as always having your back, but why I think its so interesting is either one can be a bad relationship or a good one. It is not depnedt on the type of relationship but on the type of person you have it with. 

Finally my favorite part of the play is the way consequences of good and bad actions catch up with everyone. The king was incredibly ignorant of the peopel he was leading and fell all the way to basically a homeless person in status, when he finally agained perspective and empathy for these peopel his lesson was satisfied and he died. Edmund is alnother example he finaly becomes the most powerful and realizes it is still not enough for him because he is just greedy so once he learns his lesson he also dies. This just was a reminder to me about not trying to rush life. Im not sure if that makes sense but to me it was more of lessons will come naturally your not supposed to know everything now, and of course the main point to try your best to live a kind honest life and good things will eventuay come. 

As I reflect on the year we had in AP Lit, I find myself also reflecting on how my values have changed alongside our progress in the class. Although every book we read this year has left its mark, The Stranger by Albert Camus is the book that has had the deepest impact on me. 

Prior to reading The Stranger, I thought I had all my values figured out. In the survey we filled out before diving into the logistics of absurdism and existentialism, I put down what I believed to be the only morally correct answers. As I went through the questionnaire I was thinking things like, “Of course I don’t think life is only pain and suffering,” and “Who would say nothing matters at all?” After reading the book, my opinions on those questions changed. 

I initially thought Meursualt’s character was crazy. I couldn’t understand why he was able to confront life with such an indifferent attitude. He didn’t give in to the pressure from society to conform to their values even though people began seeing and treating him differently because of his actions. As we continued to read the book, I realized that it was my own values getting in the way of my understanding of the book’s message. 

When I started looking at things from outside the box I realized that although the things Meursault said and did were bizarre, they were also very authentic and straight to the point. Meursault never let societal boundaries prevent him from doing what he wanted to do. His acceptance of life’s meaningless nature wasn’t solely a pessimistic outlook on life, but also a freeing revelation. 

After reading the book, I began to look at life differently. I started to see how societal pressures can create unnecessary concerns in our lives. I saw how taking a page out of Meursault’s book, and taking on the idea that “nothing in life matters” could have small positive effects on us. Of course, I don’t believe that nothing matters, but taking a step back from expectations and not focusing too much on the details can allow us to find breathing room we didn’t know we had before. 

I know that I will take the lessons I learned from The Stranger and every book we read this year with me as we graduate from high school and move on to the next chapter. 

My favorite book our class read this year was The Stranger. I found Meursault to be a very enticing character and also mysterious. The philosophy that I perceived Meursault followed was one of animalistic tendencies and looking at life through a very existential view. Meursault seems to have an inability to recognize the consequences of his actions and the impact of his decision. When observing Meursault actions and thoughts, it seems as if he never grew up and his mind never fully developed. When I was younger I made irrational decisions that often had dire consequences on my health and well-being. For example, I would fight with my brother or other classmates if something made me angry or put me in a bad mood. Meursault seems to act similarly, especially when he kills the Arab. My childish brain was still developing into an adult brain while Meursault’s brain never seemed to get past the childish stage.

According to the National Institute of Health, Meursault shows signs of Asperger’s which is a subgroup of the autism spectrum disorder. Camus based Meursault on his good friend Galindo. Camus understood that his friend had a disorder before Asperger’s was ever “defined” and used it in the “creation” of Meursault. It was the first published record or “account of a man with this disorder”. Although this disorder is displayed as Meursault’s ultimate downfall and cause of murder I could still learn a lot from Meursault’s disorder or perspective on the world.

Today, I am afraid of taking action or conquering my fears and stresses. I often look at the negatives and the consequences that could entail from taking action instead of being impulsive, irrational, stepping out of my comfort zone, and making decisions that would benefit my well-being. I think if I looked at life through a more existential view I would put less weight on my failures and find happiness regardless. Also, putting less weight or reliance on relationships like Meursault did with Marie could strengthen them as I could appreciate them, live freer and not take them for granted. Meursault lives life without empathy, love, and morality but he also lacks any regrets. As a reader, it is easy to look at Meursault and judge him without learning from him. However, living a life without regrets could help us feel more fulfilled. Meursault’s lack of reflection on his actions is not good to the extent that he does it but learning to get past your mistakes and move on is something that we could all work on and something Meursault does with ease. 

Shuster S. Camus’s L’étranger and the first description of a man with Asperger’s syndrome. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2018 Apr 10;11:117-121. doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S157669. PMID: 29695940; PMCID: PMC5903843.

The book that I enjoyed the most this year was Pride and Prejudice. I’m not sure if it is the book that changed me the most, that might be Beloved, but I adored Austen’s story and it still changed my outlook on life for the better. I love a good romantic-comedy, so reading the “original rom-com” was really fun. My favorite trope is also “enemies to lovers” which is exactly what Pride and Prejudice is. Elizabeth despises Darcy because she believes him to be prideful, stuck-up, disrespectful, and cold; essentially the exact opposite of what she values in a person. However, then she both learns some of her preconceptions are false and then he improves himself because of her disdain for him and she falls in love with him. I found it easy to fall into the world of the Bennets and the Darcys; I felt frustrated for Elizabeth’s sake and I felt frustrated at her for taking a while to see the truth. I genuinely would be smiling and giggling while reading the book because I was so invested.

I felt like I could relate to Elizabeth Bennet’s character despite living in a different century. I couldn’t relate to the social expectation to find a husband as a young woman or to not introduce oneself as a woman to a man, especially to a man of social superiority. However, I could relate to her determination, her appreciation for her genuine female friendships, her hatred of arrogant and fake people, and her trust in herself. Lizzy’s refusal to give Mr Collins, originally Mr Darcy, and Lady Catherine what they wanted (either their hand in marriage or to refuse a proposal) was brave and admirable. Despite the pressures to get married, especially to a rich man, Elizabeth did not want to give up her own freedom and her own values. 

Other than loving Elizabeth, I loved Darcy too. While he starts out arrogant and insults Lizzy and her family multiple times, he ends up undergoing extreme character growth. Mr Darcy finally sees the errors in how he walks through the world believing he is better than anyone of lower social standing; Through Elizabeth’s rejection, he realizes that he must become a better person. It is so sweet in my opinion that Darcy changes himself because he thinks so highly of Elizabeth’s opinions rather than changing because he wants to impress Elizabeth. He doesn’t become a more generous person in order to win Lizzy over and marry her. This is obvious because he doesn’t even tell her that he helped save her sister Lydia from ruining the Bennet name when she eloped with the evil Mr Wickham. He literally put Elizabeth’s family before his own ego, reputation, and wealth by paying off his enemy and associating with this scandal. If he had bragged to Lizzy about this or even told her it might make her feel guilty and decide to marry him but because he tried to keep it a secret it made his actions so genuine. Additionally, once Darcy and Elizabeth marry they became close friends with her aunt and uncle who are lower high class showing that Darcy is less prejudicial against those with less wealth.

I greatly appreciate how Austen wrote a book with such smart social commentary for the time that still is valuable and relevant to our current world. I am obsessed with the feminist message of it, although of course in today’s world it is nowhere near as revolutionary as current stories can be. However, it is so inspiring that this beloved romance book is so significant. 

Lastly, I recently read a P&P inspired novel, Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev and I really liked it. It is gender swapped and I would say that it is a pretty good take on the original story. This author writes books based off of different Jane Austen novels which I love (I read her version of Emma after I read Austen’s and I enjoyed both). So, one thing that reading Pride and Prejudice is that it has opened me up to consume other versions of the story which I am very excited for. However, the main thing that this book has brought me is just happiness; I love Jane Austen and this book just gave me so much joy. It hasn’t shaped how I see the world too much (although it has certainly reinforced the “he would if he wanted to” mindset because Darcy is the epitome of this). However, Elizabeth’s strong sense of self and her stubbornness has reinforced my appreciation for having these qualities too. I am proud that she made such independent choices based on what she wanted rather than what society wants and that makes me realize that I need to live my life this way too. If Elizabeth Bennet could do it in the 19th century then so can I in the 21st century.

This year’s exploration of literature has challenged me to reevaluate my perspective on the world and reinforced to me the power of creativity. Many of the works of literature we read, from Tenth of December to Drive your Plow over the Bones of the Dead, offered such deep explorations of absurdity that pushed my own boundaries of literary understanding. Engaging with the texts we read throughout the year introduced me to previously foreign-concepts such as existentialism which have sharpened my critical thinking skills and made me more receptive to diverse viewpoints.

As I reflect on my senior year of high school, I am filled with gratitude for having read classic works of English literature I wouldn’t have read on my own. King Lear and The Stranger were my favorite pieces of literature that I read this school year because they offer profound explorations of human nature. I’m appreciative of how both pieces of literature compelled me to question human nature. While reading King Lear, the pressure of having to perform the lines of both a main character and a minor character in class motivated me to analyze the book and practice my lines fervently. Additionally, The Stranger was one of the first books we read and was much unlike the work I read in AP English Language, so I had to read closely to ensure that I did well on insta-quizzes.

To accompany my summative statement, I decided to do something creative. Reading King Lear inspired me so much that I wrote 7 different programs in the C++ programming language that were inspired by or related to the book. Song of Myself by Walt Whitman was also an inspiration, as it introduced me to the interconnectedness of things. The coding project I’m most proud of creating is a spellcheck application which uses King Lear-style English. To showcase my work, I created a portfolio containing all of the code I wrote and screen recordings of me interacting with my different programs.

Reflecting on my senior year, I find myself in between the feelings of excitement and nervousness as I prepare to step into the future. It is a sappy ending for high school. I have had so much fun here at OPRF and have made a ton of memories and friends that I will remember for a long time. Specifically in my AP Lit class, I have had a lot of reading time to reflect on many powerful stories throughout the year. This year has been a long journey of self-discovery and has been shaped by several powerful narratives like “Exit West” by Mohsin Hamid, and “King Lear” by Shakespeare. These two stories have stayed with me the most and have taught me several lessons that I will be able to learn from and encounter and face in my future as an adult. 

The first story “Exit West” introduced me to the concept of doors as portals to new possibilities. Just like in the book where Nadia and Saeed stepped through these mystical doors to escape the conflict and find a safe place to settle down. I too have also learned the value of embracing change and seeking opportunities to grow. While I am not necessarily in conflict where I am right now but I am about to step through one of those mystical doors, leading to a new place and new chapter in my life. Those doors will lead me to become a new person where I will be forced to grow and forced to make a lot of new life decisions, and It will not be easy. I am scared and confused about these doors but I do know that I have to step through them and live and learn wherever I end up on the other side of these doors. 

In the second story/play  “King Lear,” the theme of power’s impermanent nature has stayed with me. King Lear’s tragic journey from authority to vulnerability highlighted the value of power and the importance of humbleness. This story has taught me the value of humility in leadership and how one does not hold onto power their whole life. I say power when I also mean status. I found that throughout high school I have not had a hard time being social and making a lot of friends. A lot of these people I have known for almost 7 years. Now as I am leaving my home town for someplace new, I will have to remake all new friends again and wont have super strong relationships at first. One thing I loved about high school was that each year I had people who I had known for years back and I didn’t have to stress about meeting all new people. I felt as that throughout high school, knowing a lot of people made me feel like I had power and status. Now I have a new chapter in my life where I almost lose my power and status and need to regain it. I can also relate this to my leadership class. For leadership, we leaders all have our own classes of new freshmen to our school and we guide them throughout the year and help them with whatever they need. We spend our time with them and bond with as many as possible. It gives us leaders power and status because we are the ones teaching our freshmen the ways of the school. Now going into college, I am the new freshman, worried about what I should and should not do, who I should hang out with, and so much more. Just like in the play King Lear, Lear loses his power and status as he grows older and so am I as I am becoming a mature young adult. 

Overall, these texts have transformed me by broadening my worldview, and deepening how I perceive life. As I look ahead to the next chapter of my life, I want to carry these lessons and insights with me. I am worried but willing to navigate the challenges and opportunities that I will face with a new sense of self-awareness and purpose.

In Albert Camus’ Novel, The Stranger, the main character, Meursault, has a radical, yet to some degree inspirational view on how to derive value in everyday life through everyday decision-making. Existentialism and absurdism hold that it is up to the individual to decide what they put value in.

Meursault sees his life as devoid of original meaning, and his protest of doing things simply because other people want them to do it, is largely inspirational to me, in a culture of mass social media influence and competing ideals and trends for how to make our decisions, from fashion to cultural choices and beyond.

However, the novel also warns how becoming too disconnected from society can be dangerous, and reinforces how a healthy balance must be struck between making your own choices and not going off the deep end. I was enlightened by this novel, and in turn, I have changed my decision-making patterns to better represent my internal values, however, I have carefully chosen “sacrifice” points where I choose to conform to societal values irrespective of how I feel in an effort to live a happier life.

This novel, and moreover this class’ thoughtful analysis throughout, has opened my eyes to how absent-minded I have been when making choices. Be it through my choices to stay in on a night when I need rest instead of going out with friends, or my choice to take religious study classes to hone my study of religion in light of my new beliefs, this book has caused me to change my perspective into life and I am thankful for this class for doing so!

Since the beginning of this school year, my buddies and I have always had this idea that we are only senior’s once; which is true. This experience will only ever happen this year and therefore we should make the most of it. That means going to as many school sports games as we can, hanging out with new people who we normally wouldn’t have prior, and most importantly, always having something to look forward to, whether it’s a camping trip on the weekend or playing poker on Friday night in our friends basement. I believe reading Albert Camus’s The Stranger put the ideology we had going into senior year on paper for me to read, which is why it has changed me the most out of any other literature read this year. 

Albert Camus creates the character of Meursault that most readers disapprove of. Following his mother’s death, he’s emotionally detached, questioning the nature of existence after one of the few people in his life die. He is not grieving, which many readers associate with Meursault not caring about his mother. “How could he!” However, this omniscient perspective that Meursault has is inspiring, rather. One of my favorite parts of the book is when Meursault sits on his balcony and watches the neighborhood slowly go on a Sunday afternoon. Meursault’s people watching makes me think of an older gentleman at a coffee shop in Paris, who I saw during winter break, and his enjoyment for just watching. Sitting comfortably, watching people with their own lives go by, experiencing the morning air and his coffee paired with a cigarette. Reading this section, and then seeing it in person made me realize how simple and beautiful life is, yet it is often forgotten and corroded due to the social norms and structures created over time. 

This existentialist point of view is one that the majority of people hate. However, I find it fascinating, thanks to Meursault. His disapproval of societal barriers may be exaggerated when killing the man on the beach, however, the message from the book holistically goes a long way. Not caring of what others think and enjoying the one life we get is something that we all forget amidst the distractions of society such as politics, media, advertisement, etc. In conclusion, Meursault’s nihilism and ability to enjoy life without confining to society was, to me, an eye opener on how to live my life to the fullest, which is why it has changed me the most out of any other literature read this year.

I think reflective practice is the heart of a growing teacher. Mr. Heidkamp allowed us students to grow but to grow in our own creative selves. AP Literature challenged me with difficult language and deep meaning in the stories, poems, etc. that forced me to learn to interpret different types of writing. Looking back at the amount of writing I’ve done for AP Literature, I can see growth in my understanding of poetry and of literature. There are skills and concepts that I need to focus on and refine as I continue through the class, but I am confident in the abilities that I have picked up so far. AP Literature has changed the way I analyze works of literature by widening the amount of ‘tools’ I have to interpret the work and my ability to clearly explain my interpretations. I have learned new vocabulary and literary devices primarily used in poetry, and I’ve paid much more attention to syntax and sentence structures than ever before.

Overall, the novel Exit West focuses on the struggles of individuals as they try to establish a new home and a sense of well-being. This has helped me appreciate my own privilege and to become even more conscious of others around me. As people in the book work navigate the challenges of creating a new sense of belonging, it has given me a much greater appreciation for what I have for myself and for what people go through. This is a great life lesson that I can take away from this novel and I hope others felt this way too.