Independent Reading FAHRENHEIT 451 BY RAY BRADBURY. Summer 2015

Transcription

1 Independent Reading FAHRENHEIT 451 BY RAY BRADBURY Summer 2015 Instructions: This summer you must read the novel, Fahrenheit 451. It will be in your best interest to annotate as you read, making notes on the things that stand out, figurative language, and interesting syntax. In addition to the reading, you will be completing a written assignment. It is made up of many parts that require different skills. Please carefully read the instructions for each section. The entire project must be typed in standard MLA format (see next page) and stapled in the order it appears. It is due Wednesday, August 26 th when you walk into class.

2 Level Questions You must develop questions about your novel. Questions must cover all three parts of the book. LEVEL 1 QUESTIONS: These questions will have a right answer which can be found by looking in the text. The answers are usually one-three words LEVEL 2 QUESTIONS: These questions are analysis/opinion questions based on the topics of the book. They will not always have a right answer, but every answer can find support within the text LEVEL 3 QUESTIONS: These questions are based on the themes of the book, but should not include the specifics of the book. A person should be able to answer these questions without having read the book

3 Character Analysis Choose a main character in the book and complete the following analysis. MAIN CHARACTER: PERSONALITY TRAITS TEXTUAL EVIDENCE How does the main character deal with the conflict in the novel? How do minor characters feel about the main character? What epiphanies (revelations; a-ha moments) does the main character have? How is the course of the novel changed by the actions of the main character? Write a statement that could be considered a legitimate statement spoken by the main character (not something that was actually said). Write an obituary for the main character. How would they like to be remembered?

4 Comprehension Questions Answer the following questions in complete sentences. 1. Montag s society has abandoned books in favor of hollow, frenetic entertainment and instant gratification. In what ways do you believe today s society has fulfilled this prophetic statement? 2. Why would society make "being a pedestrian" a crime? (Clarisse tells Montag that her uncle was once arrested for this.) 3. When Montag comes home from work to find Mildred lying deathlike on the bed in the darkness listening to her radio earplugs, the room is described as not empty and then indeed empty, what were Ray Bradbury s intentions in describing this scene in such a paradoxical way? 4. In what way is Mildred s character more complex than she may first appear (in reference to her attempted suicide)? 5. So it was the hand that started it all... His hands had been infected, and soon it would be his arms... His hands were ravenous. Explain this quote (page 41) 6. Discuss Montag s relationship with Mildred. Does your group believe this is a typical marital situation for their culture? What role do the TV parlor families play in shaping Montag and Mildred s marriage? 7. Captain Beatty quotes history, scripture, poetry, philosophy. He is obviously a well-read man. Why hasn't he been punished? And why does he view the books he's read with such contempt? Discuss his monologue (pp.55-62). 8. How do you feel about Beatty s statement that everyone must be alike not born free and equal but made equal? Can we, as a modern society, create a world where all men and women are equal? 9. What do you think Montag is looking to find in books? 10. What did Faber mean when he said, in the park, I talk the meaning of things? Why do you think Montag didn t turn to Faber then? 11. Why are the characters on the television screen called "The Family"? What purpose are they supposed to serve in this society? What is the role played by the "White Clowns" seen on television? 12. Why does Beatty program the Hound to track Montag even before Montag stole the book? Do you believe Beatty had seen him steal books before? Or is it that Beatty had detected a change in Montag's attitude or behavior? Cite incidents in the book that support your answer. 13. What role do books play in society today? Have people stopped reading? What are causes for a decrease in reading? Was Bradbury accurate in his prediction of where our world is heading? Is there anything that can be done to spark an interest in reading? Why is reading important? 14. How does Montag feel about burning his own house? How does he feel about burning Beatty? Is Montag really that different from others in his society? Why or why not? 15. Discuss: Beatty wanted to die. (page 122) Is this a true statement? If so, why would Beatty want to die? If not, why did Montag believe this to be true? 16. Montag turns to books to rescue him; instead they help demolish his life- -he loses his wife, job and home; he kills a man and is forced to be a nomad. Does he gain any benefits from books? If so, what are they? 17. Do you believe, as Montag did, that Beatty wanted to die? If so, why do you think so? 18. Since the government is so opposed to readers, thinkers, walkers, and slow drivers, why does it allow the procession of men along the railroad tracks to exist? 19. Once Montag becomes a violent revolutionary, why does the government purposely capture an innocent man in his place instead of tracking down the real Montag? Might the government believe that Montag is no longer a threat? 20. What does Granger mean when he says, "We're going to go build a mirror factory first and put out nothing but mirrors for the next year and take a long time to look at them?" Why would "mirrors" be important in this new society? (Note: In Part 1, Clarisse is said to be "like a mirror.")

5 Discoveries Write down discoveries that you made about the novel. This is where the notes that you made as you read will be important. Record page numbers! Interesting Discoveries: Similes, Metaphors: Symbolism: Vocabulary: Other Notes:

6 3/3 Analysis Complete this page using the last third of the book ( Burning Bright ). Discuss the scenes you found in the last third of the book that relate to the spiritual reassessment OR moral dilemma. -What conclusions can you draw from the character s decision? -How much of his decision comes from factors other than himself, such as times, society, friends, family, etc.? -What are the ramifications or consequences of his decision (look at the choices he had and how others would have been affected by each choice)? Why does the author feel he has to end the book the way he does? -What could have been some other possible endings? -Why might those other endings not have supported the author s purpose and attitude toward the conflict, the times, or the society depicted in the novel or play? Use the following space to answer each question:

7 Author s Judgment Do the author and the narrator share the same point of view about society? If so, what? What does the author reveal about society? What does the author criticize about society? How does the author feel about the main character as a person? Does the author change his mind about how he feels about the main character at any time in the piece? Explain. Write a paragraph using tone words to describe the feeling the author creates for the reader. Cite specific examples from the text for support.

8 Alternate Ending Change major components and write an alternate ending for the story. This must be ½ - 1 page in length. -

9 Summing It Up Create notes to give to someone wanting an overview of the novel. MAJOR CHARACTERS WITH DESCRIPTION: SYNOPSIS OF BOOK: MAJOR THEMES: SAMPLE ESSAY QUESTIONS (2):

10 Visual Representation You will create a visual representation of your book, a theme, or a character in the book. You may draw, trace, cut out pictures from a magazine, use the Internet,etc.. Be creative! Beneath the visual you must write a quote from the story which relates to the picture.

11 Personal Response This is your chance to tell me how you felt about the book. Write a paragraph or more in which you include the answers to the following questions. -Did you like it? -What was the best/worst part? -Was the ending what you expected? -What other books does it remind you of and in what ways? -Would you read another book by this author? -If it was made into a movie, would you like to see it? Who would play the main character? -Include any additional information you feel is important in expressing your thoughts.

12 MLA Formatting Reference Typing, Printing, Font: Do not use script or other fancy print ( Courier and Times are usually good choices). Print only on one side of the paper. Size = 12 pt. Paper: Use white, 8-1/2 x 11-inch paper. Margins: Use one-inch margins on all sides. Spacing: Double-space EVERYTHING, including the heading. Heading and Title: MLA formatting DOES NOT REQUIRE A TITLE PAGE. On the first page, one inch from the top and flush with the left margin, type your name(double-space), your instructor s name(double-space), the unabbreviated course title and number(double-space), and the date. Dates appear without punctuation before or after, as follows: 22 June Double-space and then type your title, centered. Capitalize all significant words in the title. Do not underline the title, or put it in quotes, or put it all in capitals. Do not use a period after headings. Following the title, double-space, indent, and begin the text. Sections: An MLA formatted project with multiple sections requires each section to begin on a new page. Give each page a title, but only the first page of the project requires a heading. Formatting Sections: Follow the format for each section as provided in the packet. For example, in section 1, Level Questions, you will title it then label Level 1 Questions with your three questions listed below, follow that with Level 2 Questions, etc. Paragraph Indentations: On sections requiring paragraphs, indent each paragraph five spaces or one half inch. Rubric *Project must be complete, typed, and stapled in order to receive a grade. *Each section will be worth 10 points for a total of 100 points. *To receive full credit, it must be turned in on Wednesday at the beginning of the period. Thursday (-25 pts); Friday (-50 pts) *Any work that has been copied directly from another student or another resource will result in a test grade of 0 (which cannot be made up)