<p>If your child thinks the answer to the question, “Who is the child of Madonna?” might be one or all of the following: Lourdes Leon, Rocco Richie, David Banda, and Mercy James…
well, it might be a good idea to crack open a new book. ;)</p>
<p>One poster above mentioned some of the themes derived from the basic bible stories (forgiveness, repentence, and so on). I think in addition to knowing a basic “Cliff’s Notes” or “Bible for Dummies” rundown of the Top 20 basic stories or references, it is also helpful to recognize the stories as representing concepts (such as forgiveness…) which a more modern author might use as the connecting link between a modern reference to the earlier Biblical story or language.</p>
<p>Long way of saying this: the stories of the Bible are influential because they speak volumes about human frailties (such as jealousy or generosity…) or moral/ethical concepts (such as redemption) that resonate in modern life as well as ancient.</p>
<p>The bible is a major foundation of much of western literature and culture, not surprising given the role the church played in the life of the west for much of the past couple of thousands of years. There are also books on reading the bible as literature that might come in handy, I suspect the library has them that might help.</p>
<p>That said, from what people have written while it could be on the test, it doesn’t sound like it is make or break. Still, it probably wouldn’t hurt for your D to pick up on stories and themes in the bible, as it is valuable to do so for all religions IMO, since they were written by human beings talking about what it means to be human.</p>
<p>In terms of the King James Bible (which BTW is not a particularly good translation of the bible, among other things it depended on a Greek text done by Erasmus that is not particularly accurate) one of the interesting things about it is that Shakespeare and Ben Johnson might have been involved with the creation of that version, that the prose of that bible (which to me despite accuracy issues, is the most beautiful version in English) was polished by them (scholars not known for being particularly flowery). The Elizabethan English of the KJV is quite reminiscent of both those author’s works, though whether they actually did some polishing or whether their writing influenced those who did, no one will ever know.</p>
<p>Hi, I’m an AP Lit teacher and we frequently make connections to biblical allusions in our reading. Usually, I have kids who are in FCA (fellowship of Christian athletes) or a kid who is very good at scripture. They explain the references to the others who are not as familiar with the Bible. I treat it as a work of literature.</p>
<p>A thought about the Bible, ancient literature and rleigions…
I seem to recall knowledge of “religions” on the whole as being part of the world history classes and english clases over the years…my kid has read all kinds of stuff, and had to research the people groups/major religions etc…</p>
<p>Just all part of being well read…and open to other literature, languages, cultures, religions etc…</p>
<p>A depth and breadth of literature is so so important…
My Freshman is reading Beowulf, and has read The Odyssey…etc</p>
<p>Perhaps the teachers comment about the student not knowing much about religion is that the teacher feels some knowledge of world religions is important to understand the variety of people/cultures and literature on this plant…this is AP </p>
<p>Sadly American kids, on the whole, are very very sheltered as to what happens beyond their own high schools, facebook and home town much less their state, nation and continent …</p>
<p>IJustDrive, I think your daughter should look at the sample tests at the College Board site and wee which exam appeals to her most. Like many schools, our high school has AP Lang as an 11th grade alternative and Lit as a 12th grade alternative, but I don’t think Lit is necessarily more difficult.</p>
<p>As to the OP, I agree with JHS, having some familiarity with the Bible is part of being culturally literate, and I am neither a Christian or a Jew.</p>
<p>I don’t know about AP English, but I do know that some knowledge of the Bible comes in handy if you take an intro English course in College that covers Chaucer, Spenser, Milton, etc. *Paradise Lost *is pretty tough sledding if you don’t know anything about the Bible.</p>
<p>I think everybody should also read some intro to Greek mythology as well. Way back, we read the one by Edith Hamiliton–perhaps there’s something better now.</p>
<p>^^I think Edith Hamilton is still the standard. My son started reading it in 6th grade–an old paperback we got from somewhere—so was familiar with the myths by the time he started Latin in 7th grade.</p>
<p>S1 didn’t take AP Eng. Lit. but his gf did. I do remember her having to do some selected Bible readings as part of the summer reading assignments for AP Lit.</p>
<p>You technically don’t have to know anything about the Bible, but I found Biblical allusions that helped my understand of the piece and form my thesis statement in at least 25% of the texts I read in AP Lit. Although I do know kids that were hurt by their knowledge of the Bible and just made freaking everything about Jesus. </p>
<p>But yeah, like others I think she should read a book (or there must be something online like this) summarizing events that pop up in literature a lot. Not just for AP Literature, also because some knowledge of the Bible is necessary for media literacy in the same way Shakespeare and Oedipus are.</p>
<p>Not a parent, but I’m nosy and want to give my hardly needed opinion.</p>
<p>If you read some of the often interminable (but nonetheless informative) philosophical debates over on the kid’s side of the website, you will find that some of the atheist kids know as much about the Bible and other religious texts as the believers (and a lot of the believers are fairly well versed in the scientific arguments as well). I think it is worthwhile to know a little something about comparative religions and their important documents for literary, cultural and historical reasons. It makes a lot of these kids come off as really sharp to me.</p>