Fahrenheit 451

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Fahrenheit 451

• Introduction

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Agenda

• Bell Ringer
• Word Work
• Senator Activity
• Presentation of committee decision
• Exit Slip

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Bell Ringer 6 (A) 4/25 (B) 4/26

• Fahrenheit 451 is often misinterpreted as being a
  book that criticizes censorship of books.
  However, Ray Bradburys own intent had a much
  broader reach. Bradbury wrote the book because he
  was concerned that watching TV would replace
  reading. Bradbury has said, People ask me to
  predict the future, when all I want to do is
  prevent it.
• List 3 pieces of technology that you use on a
  daily basis.
• Describe 2 ways in which technology effects your
  life everyday.
• How would feel if your technology use was limited
  by the government?

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Word Work

• Filibuster
• a fortiori
• Germane
• Please find definitions for these 3 legal terms
  in the dictionary

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Introductory NotesFahrenheit 451by Ray
Bradbury
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Author Background Ray Bradbury

• Born in Illinois in 1920
• Many of his stories have become television
  episodes, especially The Twilight Zone and
  projects by Alfred Hitchcock
• He and his wife still live in California today
• "I don't try to describe the future," Bradbury
  has often said. "I try to prevent it."

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• began as a short story
• The Fireman - 1951
• expanded into a novel in 1953
• created the title after speaking with firemen
• a DYSTOPIA

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Utopia vs. Dystopia

• Dystopia an imagined world that represents a
  most imperfect place
• typically a futuristic world
• conditions caused by oppressive government or
  destructive events

• Utopia an imagined world that represents a
  perfect place

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• CONTEXT
• 24th century
• Books viewed as dangerous and illegal
• No one may own books
• A government agency burns all found books
• Most people enjoy technology and think very
  little

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Protagonist Guy Montag Starts fires rather
than extinguishing them
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If someone reports a neighbor owning books, the
firemen respond to the call and burn the
materials.
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Most often, the firemen destroy the entire house,
and sometimes, the owner decides to die with
their books in the fire.
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Censorship

• Fahrenheit 451 discusses the dangers of
  censorship
• Many places throughout the United States have at
  some point banned the book itself!
• What type of IRONY does this represent?

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Censorship, cont.

• Censorship - the practice of keeping material
  from being viewed by others because of
  objectionable or offensive contents
• What does it mean for a group to ban a book?
• Someone found the material offensive and
  required that it not appear in libraries
  (especially schools!) and/or bookstores.

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Scenario
Imagine that you are a United States Senator who
is currently serving on a committee that is
determining the future laws regarding technology
use for teenagers.
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Activity Instructions

• 1) You will be divided into six groups.
• 2) Each group will receive a packet of
  information regarding a specific area of interest
  (Cell Phone use, Television, or Government
  control of information) and will be assigned a
  yes or no position on that area of interest.
• 3) After receiving the information packets, you
  will review and analyze the information and
  discuss what you already know about the
  situation.
• 4) You will work as a group to support your yes
  or no position with 10 pieces of information.

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Questions for groups

• 1- Should television usage be limited for
  teenagers and children?
• 2 Should texting/cell phone usage be limited
  for teenagers and children?
• 3 Should the United States Government have
  control over the Internet?

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Questions for groups

• Example
• Position Cheeseburgers taste good.
• The addition of cheese improves the taste of the
  burger.
• Cheeseburgers consistently outsell other kinds
  of burgers in select restaurants.
• In a blind taste test 33.5 of Americans
  preferred cheeseburgers.

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Presentation

• Each group will consist of
• a scribe-- The scribe will record the groups
  decisions
• a presenter-- The presenter will present the
  class with the groups proposal
• a solicitor--The solicitor will ask questions
  during other groups presentations.
• Each group will have 4-5 minutes to present their
  argument and to answer questions.
• Only solicitors may ask questions.
• Only presenters may answer questions.
• Please be civil.

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Exit Slip

• Write a short response to each groups decision.
• Do you agree? Why? Or Why not?
• How you have solved the problem?

Groups Your Response
Group 1 1. 2.
Group 2 1. 2.
Group 3 1. 2.
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Anticipation Guide

• On a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), rate the
  following opinions
• Laws are always written for the protection of the
  citizens.
• Some books are evil and should be destroyed.
• In a world filled with constant, 24-hour news,
  there are no true facts. (Things keep changing.)
  
• If it was against the law to read books, I would
  break the law and read anyway.
• It is impossible to be close friends with people
  who think differently than you.
• If most people believe something, then it must be
  true, even if there is no proof.
• Only those who are hired to protect societys
  laws, such as police officers, should be allowed
  to own and use guns.
• There are some things so important in life that
  they are worth risking your life for.
• In todays world, writers and artists are not as
  important to society as scientists and engineers.