Fahrenheit 451 – Web Quest
Your Task: Complete this web Quest to learn more about the events that inspired Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution passed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791.
Explore the following sites for information on the kinds of historical censorship Ray Bradbury discusses in Fahrenheit 451:
Introduction
This class will explore the ideas of censorship and dystopian societies as we read our novel. Dystopian literature often presents societies that appear orderly or successful on the surface, but beneath that appearance are systems of control, fear, inequality, and limited freedom. One of the most common tools used to maintain that control is censorship.
This WebQuest will help students examine the characteristics of dystopian societies and the ways censorship can be used to shape what people know, believe, and question. Students will investigate how governments or powerful groups may control information, restrict individual expression, manipulate truth, and discourage independent thought.
The goal of this WebQuest is to build a deeper understanding of how dystopian societies operate and why censorship plays such an important role in them. This background knowledge will help students make stronger connections to the themes, conflicts, and warnings presented in the novel.
Directions
Use the links provided in each section to answer the questions in complete sentences.
Be sure to explain your ideas clearly and make connections between censorship, dystopian societies, and Fahrenheit 451 when appropriate.
Task
SECTION 1 will allow you to explore the author and the text.
SECTION 2 requires you to explore Web sites on censorship in the past and the present. You will be given a selection of websites related to these issues from which to choose. Take notes and answer the questions on Google Slides.
SECTION 3 is a list of modern day censorship issues affecting teenagers today.
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SECTION 1:
PART A: Ray Bradbury
1) Who was Ray Bradbury, and what kinds of writing was he known for?
2) What experiences in Ray Bradbury’s life influenced his writing?
3) Why is Ray Bradbury still important today?
4) What are some common themes in Ray Bradbury’s writing?
LINKS:
Britannica – Ray Bradbury
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ray-BradburyBritannica Summary – Ray Bradbury
https://www.britannica.com/summary/Ray-BradburyPBS News – Remembering Ray Bradbury
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/remembering-ray-bradbury-and-his-cautionary-tales
PART B: Fahrenheit 451
1) When was Fahrenheit 451 published, and what kind of novel is it?
LINKS:
Britannica – Fahrenheit 451
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fahrenheit-451-novel-by-BradburyBritannica Kids – Fahrenheit 451
https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Fahrenheit-451/627562
2) What role does technology play in Fahrenheit 451?
LINKS:
Britannica – Fahrenheit 451
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fahrenheit-451-novel-by-BradburyPBS News – Why Fahrenheit 451 Still Matters
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/the-books-you-never-read-in-high-school-but-should-now
3) What warning is Bradbury giving readers through Fahrenheit 451?
LINKS:
Britannica – Fahrenheit 451
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fahrenheit-451-novel-by-BradburyPBS News – Remembering Ray Bradbury
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/remembering-ray-bradbury-and-his-cautionary-tales
4) Where did the idea for Fahrenheit 451 come from?
LINKS:
Britannica – Fahrenheit 451
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fahrenheit-451-novel-by-BradburyBritannica – The Fireman
https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Fireman_
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SECTION 2:
PART A: CENSORSHIP
What is censorship?
Link:
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorship
Link:
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorship/faq
PART B: Dystopian Fiction
Questions
1) What is dystopian fiction?
2) What are some common characteristics of a dystopian society?
3) Why do authors write dystopian stories?
4) How can dystopian fiction act as a warning to readers?
5) How are censorship and dystopian societies connected?
6) Why do you think dystopian stories are still popular today?
LINKS:
https://www.britannica.com/art/dystopia
https://www.britannica.com/art/science-fiction
https://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/dystopian-definitions
PART C: The burning of Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley:
Why were they burned at the stake?
Why was Latimer confident that they were doing the right thing?
Why is it important to remember this event in relation to censorship, control, and the punishment of ideas?
What was Latimer's final quote to Nicholas Ridley?
What do you think this quote means?
LINKS:
PART D: Why do you think the Nazis burned these books?
How is this similar to why the firemen in Fahrenheit 451 burn books?
In what way might these images have inspired Bradbury to write Fahrenheit 451?
LINKS:
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nazis-burn-books
https://www.britannica.com/event/Nazi-book-burnings
PART E: McCarthyism and Blacklisting in Hollywood:
This site will take you to a page of links. Each link takes you to a page that tells a small part of the story of Blacklisting in Hollywood in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s.
Who was Joseph McCarthy?
What did McCarthy say had happened?
Were his accusations true?
What is "McCarthyism?" (according to the second paragraph)?
Do you think McCarthy’s actions were justified? Explain your answer using evidence from the sources.
LINKS:
Britannica – McCarthyism
https://www.britannica.com/topic/McCarthyism
History.com – Joseph McCarthy
https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/joseph-mccarthy
Britannica – What is McCarthyism?
https://www.britannica.com/question/What-is-McCarthyism
PART F: HOLLYWOOD TEN
What were the "Hollywood Ten" accused of?
When did this happen?
When did it end?
Do you think it's right or wrong?
In what situation do you think this could happen again? Think about the politics today and give an example of how this could happen in today's society with the things of which Americans are afraid.
How might the Red Scare and "The Hollywood Ten" have inspired Bradbury to write Fahrenheit 451?
LINKS:
Britannica – Hollywood Ten
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hollywood-Ten
History.com – Hollywood Ten
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hollywood-ten-cited-for-contempt-of-congress
National Archives – Hollywood Ten / blacklist context
https://www.archives.gov/research/investigations/hollywood-ten
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SECTION III: Modern Debates About Free Speech and Censorship
Who supports these limitations on freedom of speech?
Why do they support them?
Who opposes these limitations? Why do they oppose them?
Which side do you agree with, and why?
How does this modern debate connect to the world of Fahrenheit 451?
What is your opinion on book bans/ censorship?
LINKS:
PEN America
https://pen.org/report/banned-in-the-usa-state-laws-supercharge-book-suppression-in-schools/
American Library Association
https://www.ala.org/bbooks
Education Week
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-rise-of-book-bans-in-u-s-schools/2023/09
