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Fahrenheit 451. Ray Bradbury. Setting. Loosely based on the Nazi book burnings and Stalin’s “The Great Purge.” The Great Purge = writers, poets, etc. were arrested and sometimes killed . Cold War and America’s fear of communism
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Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury
Setting • Loosely based on the Nazi book burnings and Stalin’s “The Great Purge.” • The Great Purge = writers, poets, etc. were arrested and sometimes killed. • Cold War and America’s fear of communism • No specified time or place, but set somewhere in mid-west America, sometime after 1960. • Set in a dystopian society where all books are banned.
Dystopia • What is a “dystopian” novel? • Depicts a future society often defined by excessive authoritative control and limited personal freedom. • Often makes a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system. • Use of technology is often advanced and/or abused
Characteristics of Dystopias • Propoganda • Restricted information, independent thought, and freedom • Citizens live in fear • Citizens are forced to conform to uniform standards. • Citizens may be under surveillance. • The society worships one person or concept. • Can you think of any books or movies that would be considered dystopian? • The Hunger Games, Divergent, Ender’s Game • Why are these dystopian? Give a specific reference.
Other Themes • Role of media • Threat to society? • Discourage people from reading? • Censorship • http://www.shmoop.com/fahrenheit-451/
Guiding Questions • What is the role of media? • Is the effect of media positive? Or negative? • Is censorship ever acceptable? • Is the law ever "wrong"? • Why would society ever ban books? • What does the author want us to think about media? Books?