october 27-29

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week you will work independently.  Each day's journal topic is up to you-- you may write about whatever you want, as long as you write at least half a page.  (In case you need help, there are some suggested topics below, but the choice is yours.)  Please complete the following three assignments; all work should be posted to your course blog or turned in by Thursday, October 30.

Suggested Journal Topics:
1. In what ways are you like Guy Montag?  In what ways are you different?
2. In your experience, who's happier-- people who read or people who don't?  Why?
3. Next week there is an election.  Why don't more people care to research the issues/candidates and vote?  Is this a sign that we're becoming more like Mildred and her friends?

ASSIGNMENT ONE
Please answer the Fahrenheit 451 short answer questions with 2-4 sentences each. (TITLE: FAHRENHEIT 451 Q&A)

ASSIGNMENT TWO
Please answer the following essay question. (TITLE: FAHRENHEIT 451 ESSAY 1)

Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 as a dystopian novel, a work featuring a negative view of society in the future.  The lives of the characters are filled with entertainment but little true happiness.  Describe three features in the world of the novel that lead to such a state?  One example of a feature is the rampant use of “seashell” radios by the characters.  How could this device contribute to the unhappiness even as it seems to provide information and entertainment?  Other features may go beyond the realm of devices to that of activities, events, values, and expectations.  Pay attention to specific examples of such features as you read the novel and consider how each one plays a role in the dystopian world created by Bradbury.

ASSIGNMENT THREE

Please answer the following essay question. (TITLE: WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN THIS COURSE SO FAR.)

What have you learned so far in this course? (Note: You can include anything from literature, writing, technology, or your personal ideas about thinking, working, being creative, etc.)