“There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running around with lit matches.”
-Ray Bradbury
These figures are pulled from our Challenge Database
In Fahrenheit 451, firefighters burn books to destroy knowledge, while the Book People burn books, after they have memorized the contents to preserve knowledge.
· Where and when did the practice begin?
· Why did people resort to burning books?
· What famous books have been burned?
· What historical events surround book burning?
· Is it still practiced today? If so, where?
· Is the practice similar to that of banning books? How so?
RESOURCES
Gale Discovering Collection
Key word(s): books and censorship
McCarthyism was a giant “witch hunt” that targeted many people during the 1950s. Spend some time researching McCarthyism with your partner. Make sure you answer the questions below. It is important to know how McCarthyism impacted Bradbury and the novel.
· What is McCarthyism?
· How did it begin?
· Who was targeted?
· How and when did it end?
· What is a “witch hunt”?
RESOURCES
Gale Discovering Collection
Key word(s): books and censorship
Key word(s): Mccarthyism
The novel, Fahrenheit 451 was written in the 1950s. In order to understand the novel, it is important to know what life was like during the time period. When you read, you can identify how Bradbury speaks out against life in the 50s.
· Entertainment (books, movies, television, etc.)
· Technology
· Home life
· School
RESOURCES
Gale Discovering Collection
Key word(s): books and censorship
Key Word: "1950's (decade)"
UEQ: How does fiction mirror reality?
LEQ: What historical events impacted the construction of the novel Fahrenheit 451?
Standards covered:
ELACC9-10W8: Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
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ELACC9-10W2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content. ELACC9-10W4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.) ELACC9-10SL1: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions(one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. |
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ELACC9-10SL4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task. |
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ELACC9-10SL5: Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest. |
Theme refers to the main or central
idea of a literary work. The theme
of fighting against censorship
dominates Fahrenheit 451.
How has Maya Angelou experienced censorship in America?
· When did the censorship take place?
· What work(s) were involved?
· What form did the censorship take? Was it a demand for editorial changes or was a book banned from a library or school?
· Is the censorship still taking place?
· What was done to fight the censorship?
· What were the results?
RESOURCES
Gale Opposing Viewpoints
Key Word(s): Mayo Angelou
How has J. K Rowling experienced censorship in America?
· When did the censorship take place?
· What work(s) were involved?
· What form did the censorship take? Was it a demand for editorial changes or was a book banned from a library or school?
· Is the censorship still taking place?
· What was done to fight the censorship?
· What were the results?
RESOURCES
How has J. D Salinger experienced censorship in America?
· When did the censorship take place?
· What work(s) were involved?
· What form did the censorship take? Was it a demand for editorial changes or was a book banned from a library or school?
· Is the censorship still taking place?
· What was done to fight the censorship?
· What were the results?
RESOURCES
Gale PowerSearch
Key Word(s): J. D. Salinger and censorship
How has Mark Twain experienced censorship in America?
· When did the censorship take place?
· What work(s) were involved?
· What form did the censorship take? Was it a demand for editorial changes or was a book banned from a library or school?
· Is the censorship still taking place?
· What was done to fight the censorship?
· What were the results?
RESOURCES
Gale Opposing Viewpoints
Key Word(s): Introduction to Banned Books: At Issue (2012)
How has Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. experienced censorship in America?
· When did the censorship take place?
· What work(s) were involved?
· What form did the censorship take? Was it a demand for editorial changes or was a book banned from a library or school?
· Is the censorship still taking place?
· What was done to fight the censorship?
· What were the results?
RESOURCES
How has Harper Lee experienced censorship in America?
· When did the censorship take place?
· What work(s) were involved?
· What form did the censorship take? Was it a demand for editorial changes or was a book banned from a library or school?
· Is the censorship still taking place?
· What was done to fight the censorship?
· What were the results?
RESOURCES
Gale PowerSearch
Key Word(s): Harper Lee and censorship
