Name ______Period______Date______

Fahrenheit 451Webquest

Complete this webquest to learn more about the events that inspired Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451as well as Bradbury himself. Create aGoogle Slides presentation with your reading groupthat presents information responding to each of the questions below. Be sure to include a graphic for each slide.

But, first, set up your group.

1. Go to OR click on Gmail on the PCHS website.

2. Email: (NO SPACES)

EX:

3. Password: Pcs+lunchnumber (Capital P plus sign is not included)

***The Group Leader needs to do #4-8 below:***

4. Once you are logged into your email account, click the Google Apps Icon.

5. Next, select the Google Slides Icon (should be yellow)

6. Click “Start a new presentation”

7. Go ahead and give your presentation a name

a. Use all of your last names and include the class period

8. Click the Share icon and add the names of your group members.

a. Make sure you allow them to edit the slideshow.

b. Be sure to add me to your group, too, and allow me to comment.

The remaining group members:

9. Go to your email and accept the invitation to be in the group.

10. Begin!

Note: By using Google Slides, you will be able to access this project on any computer as long as you have Internet.

Let the fun begin! Explore the following sites for information on the kinds of historical censorship Ray Bradbury discusses in Fahrenheit 451:

Step I:The burning of Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley

1. Why were they burned at the stake?
2. Why was Latimer confident that they were doing the right thing?
3. Why would it be important to remind people of this history?
Step II:Nazi Book Burning

4. In what way might these images have inspired Bradbury to write Fahrenheit 451?

5. Why did it happen?
6. Could it happen again? Explain.

7. What effect do you think the burning of books had on the authors whose works were burned?

8. How might it have inspired Bradbury to write Fahrenheit 451?

Step III:McCarthyism and Blacklisting in Hollywood
Each link takes you to a page that tells a small part of the story. You will need to look at several of the pages to get a complete picture.

  • www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/blacklist.html

9. Why did this happen?
10. When did this happen?
11. Could it happen again? Explain.
12. How might it have inspired Bradbury to write Fahrenheit 451?

13.Who is Joe McCarthy?

14. What is “McCarthyism”?

15. What does HUAC stand for?

16. What is the significance of Hollywood and Blacklisting?

Step IV: Dystopian Literature

17. Define dystopia.

18. What are some important characteristics of a dystopian society?

19. How does a person feel when living in a dystopian society?

Step V: Ray Bradbury

20. Where was Ray Bradbury born and where did he grow up?

21. What awards has Ray Bradbury earned? (Include literary and any others)

22. What is the “great fun” in Bradbury’s life?

***Note: This article is from 2001.***

23. Describe Bradbury’s prediction of the future? According to the article, did it happen?

24. What does Ray Bradbury say about the media outlets? How are they described?

25. What is his view of modern technology such as the Internet, ATMs, and computers?

26. Define “Prognostication.” How was Bradbury a “prognosticator?”

27. What does Ray Bradbury say in response to the question “How often do you write?”

*Now that you are finished, use the rubric to make sure you have everything you are going to need.

*Go to the “Links” section on my webpage and submit your project to the dropittome portal. You will need the password for this.