Fahrenheit 451

1. Fahrenheit 451

2. Themes • IDENTITY • Living divided lives (or split personalities) • trying to be what we’re not to please others or fit into society • A lack of self-awareness • What constitutes happiness (quality of life)? • Primary symbols: Montag’s hands, warplanes splitting his head in two, Mildred’s crypto-suicide attempt • CENSORSHIP • Suppression of ideas • Government dishonesty • Eliminating free protest • Primary symbols: burning books • “DUMBING DOWN”/”SPEEDING UP” of culture • Decreased literacy • Increased audio-visual stimulation • Less time spent on family, nature; more time spent on isolating activities and technology • Cultural “brainwashing” (advertisements) • Primary symbols: illicit books, “Denham’s Dentrifice” ad, speed minimums • ROLES OF TECHNOLOGY and ENTERTAINMENT in society • Does it improve or detract from our lives? Were we better off as human beings in more primitive times or in more simple cultures? • Primary symbols: Seashell radio, parlor walls, Mechanical Hound

3. Futurism futurism • 1. A belief that the meaning of life and one's personal fulfillment lie in the future and not in the present or past. • 2. Expression of a vision of the future and its innovations.

4. Allegory • A symbolical narrative composed of characters, settings, and events that metaphorically represent other, often abstract, ideas. • In other words, “A story that has deeper or more general meaning in addition to its surface meaning.” • “For example, in The Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan, a character named Christian struggles to escape from a bog...The story of his difficulty is a symbol of the difficulty of leading a good life in the ‘bog’ of this world. The ‘bog’ is a metaphor or symbol of life's hardships and distractions. Similarly, when Christian loses a heavy pack that he has been carrying on his back, this symbolizes his freedom from the weight of sin that he has been carrying. "allegory." The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005. 08 Mar. 2007. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/allegory>.

5. Science Fiction • A narrative that takes a scientific hypothesis and then presents a vision of what life would be like if the hypothesis were true. This use of scientific imagination—though often futuristic—allows readers better to understand contemporary life. • Though science fiction is usually set in the future, it may also (or additionally) be set in outer space, or other dimensions in time or space.

6. Science Fiction • “A science fiction story must be set against a society significantly different from our own -- usually, but not necessarily, because of some change in the level of science and technology -- or it is not a science fiction story.” • Isaac Asimov

7. Common Elements of Science Fiction • Science fiction writers see the future as a result of the present • The technology of the future is predicted • There may be aliens involved, but the human struggle is ever-present. • Future societies are portrayed on earth with humans struggling with a changed earth

8. St. Thomas More’s Utopia (1516) http://www.nypl.org/utopia/I_other_1.html

9. More’s Utopia • Communist city-state, with equality for all citizens • No poverty • Tolerance of all religions but atheism • Institutions governed by reason, social harmony, and coherence • Peaceful but prepared to defend itself, if only by hiring mercenaries from neighboring lands The Cost: • Individual Freedom • The right to protest

10. Utopia: The Best of All Possible Worlds? • Definition of "utopia" (literally: nowhere) [Gk. ou 'no' + topos 'place'] • Webster's Dictionary: 1: an imaginary and indefinitely remote place 2: a place of ideal perfection esp. in laws, government, and social conditions 3: an impractical scheme for social improvement.

11. Dystopia dys·to·pia • 1. an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives (Merriam Webster)

12. Utopia & Dystopia • What would you consider to be a utopian society? • What are the ideals (e.g., freedom, responsibility, justice, community, etc.) that should be honored in a utopian society? • How or why do you think the concept of utopia has changed over time or varies between different cultures? • Can a utopian society ever be achieved? At what cost would it be worth attaining? • What is the purpose of fostering and maintaining a dystopian society?

13. First Amendment • The Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791 • 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. • “Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.”—Benjamin Franklin

14. Censorship • “Intellectual Freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored. Intellectual freedom encompasses the freedom to hold, receive and disseminate ideas.” Intellectual Freedom and Censorship Q & A

15. A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. • A banning is the removal of those materials. • Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.

16. Banned Books • “[I]t’s not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers.” — Judy Blume

17. Who Challenges Books? • Put simply, those who do not truly value intellectual freedom. They seek to suppress ideas that conflict with their own beliefs.

18. Between 1990 and 2000, of the 6,364 challenges reported to or recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom • 1,607 were challenges to “sexually explicit” material • 1,427 to material considered to use “offensive language” 1,256 to material considered “unsuited to age group” • 842 to material with an “occult theme or promoting the occult or Satanism,” • 737 to material considered to be “violent” • 515 to material with a homosexual theme or “promoting homosexuality” • 419 to material “promoting a religious viewpoint.”

19. The Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2010 • And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson Reasons: homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group • The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie Reasons: offensive language, racism, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and violence • Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley Reasons: insensitivity, offensive language, racism, and sexually explicit • Crank, by Ellen Hopkins Reasons: drugs, offensive language, and sexually explicit • The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins Reasons: sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and violence • Lush, by Natasha Friend Reasons: drugs, offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group • What My Mother Doesn't Know, by Sonya Sones Reasons: sexism, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group • Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich Reasons: drugs, inaccurate, offensive language, political viewpoint, and religious viewpoint • Revolutionary Voices, edited by Amy Sonnie Reasons:  homosexuality and sexually explicit • Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer Reasons: religious viewpoint and violence

20. The Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books of the 2000s • 2009: 1) ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle; 2) And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson; 3) The Perks of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky; 4) To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee; 5) Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer; 6) Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger; 7) My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult; 8) The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler; 9) The Color Purple, by Alice Walker; 10) The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier •    2008: 1) And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell; 2) His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman; 3) ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle; 4) Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz; 5) Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya; 6) The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky; 7) Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar; 8) Uncle Bobby's Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen; 9) The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini; 10) Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper •    2007: 1) And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell; 2) The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier; 3) Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes; 4) The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman; 5) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain; 6) The Color Purple, by Alice Walker; 7) ttyl, by Lauren Myracle; 8) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou; 9) It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris; 10) The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky •    2006: 1) And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell; 2) Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily Von Ziegesar; 3) Alice (series), by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor; 4) The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler; 5) The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison; 6) Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz; 7) Athletic Shorts, by Chris Crutcher; 8) The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky; 9) Beloved, by Toni Morrison; 10) The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier

21. The Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books of the 2000s • 2006: 1) And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell; 2) Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily Von Ziegesar; 3) Alice (series), by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor; 4) The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler; 5) The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison; 6) Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz; 7) Athletic Shorts, by Chris Crutcher; 8) The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky; 9) Beloved, by Toni Morrison; 10) The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier •    2005: 1) It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health, by Robie H. Harris; 2) Forever, by Judy Blume; 3) The Catcher in the Rye, by J. D. Salinger; 4) The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier; 5) Whale Talk, by Chris Crutcher; 6) Detour for Emmy, by Marilyn Reynolds; 7) What My Mother Doesn’t Know, by Sonya Sones; 8) Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey; 9) Crazy Lady!, by Jane Leslie Conly; 10) It’s So Amazing! A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families, by Robie H. Harris •    2004: 1) The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier; 2) Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Meyers; 3) Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture, by Michael A. Bellesiles; 4) Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey; 5) The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky; 6) What My Mother Doesn’t Know, by Sonya Sones; 7) In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak; 8) King & King, by Linda deHaan; 9) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou; 10) Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck 

22. The Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books of the 2000s • 2003: 1) Alice (series), by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor; 2) Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling; 3) Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck; 4) Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture, by Michael Bellesiles; 5) Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers; 6) Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous; 7) It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris; 8) We All Fall Down, by Robert Cormier; 9) King & King, by Linda de Haan; 10) Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson •    2002: 1) Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling; 2) Alice (series), by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor; 3) The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier; 4) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou; 5) Taming the Star Runner, by S.E. Hinton; 6) Captain Underpants, by Dav Pilkey; 7) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain; 8) Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson; 9) Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred D. Taylor; 10) Julie of the Wolves, by Jean Craighead George  •    2001: 1) Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling; 2) Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck; 3) The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier; 4) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou; 5) Summer of My German Soldier, by Bette Greene; 6) The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger; 7) Alice (series), by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor; 8) Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous; 9) Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers; 10) Blood and Chocolate, by Annette Curtis Klause

23. The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–2000 • Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz • Daddy's Roommate by Michael Willhoite • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou • The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain • Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck • Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling • Forever by Judy Blume • Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson • Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor • Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman • My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier • The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger • The Giver by Lois Lowry • It's Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris • Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine • A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck • The Color Purple by Alice Walker • Sex by Madonna • Earth's Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel

24. The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–2000 • The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson • A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle • Go Ask Alice by Anonymous • Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers • In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak • The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard • The Witches by Roald Dahl • The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein • Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry • The Goats by Brock Cole • Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane • Blubber by Judy Blume • Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan • Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam • We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier • Final Exit by Derek Humphry • The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood • Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George • The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison • What's Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras

25. The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–2000 • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee • Beloved by Toni Morrison • The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton • The Pigman by Paul Zindel • Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard • Deenie by Judy Blume • Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes • Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden • The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar • Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz • A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein • Brave New World by Aldous Huxley • Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice) • Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole • Cujo by Stephen King • James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl • The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell • Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy • Ordinary People by Judith Guest • American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

26. The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–2000 • What's Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by Lynda Madaras • Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume • Crazy Lady by Jane Conly • Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher • Fade by Robert Cormier • Guess What? by Mem Fox • The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende • The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney • Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut • Lord of the Flies by William Golding • Native Son by Richard Wright • Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women's Fantasies by Nancy Friday • Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen • Jack by A.M. Homes • Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya • Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle • Carrie by Stephen King • Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume • On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer • Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge