Fahrenheit 451 (2021)

Lesson 8
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ELA

Unit 13

10th Grade

Lesson 8 of 21

Objective


Analyze Beatty’s lecture, identifying the three reasons he gives for the government turning to censorship. 

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury  pp. 45 – 55

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

In your own words, explain Beatty’s argument for censorship.

Key Questions


Homework Review pp. 45–50:

  • Contrast Mildred’s and Montag’s views on books and reading. 

Questions pp. 51–59:

  • What reason does Beatty give for coming to Montag’s?
  • How does he treat Montag on p. 51? 
  • Why do you think Bradbury has chosen to have Beatty puffing on his pipe during this scene? 
  • On p. 51, Beatty tells Montag what he has come to explain. Summarize.
  • What things does Beatty say contributed to making their job easier on p. 51?
  • What has happened to the speed of accessing information according to the first paragraph on p. 52?
  • What motivates people to do the above? Does this happen in real life? 
  • Reread the quote “Out of the nursery into the college and back to the nursery; there’s your intellectual pattern for the past five centuries or more.” What is implied by the word “nursery” here? 
  • According to that same paragraph, how is communication changing?
  • On p. 53, what is the problem with the change in communication? 
  • What is the effect of replacing a button with a zipper according to Beatty? 
  • According to Beatty, why are sports a good activity for this society? What does this imply about human beings?
  • What is Beatty’s main argument about society, communication, and censorship here?

Notes


  • You have the option of turning the homework review question into a full-day writing project if students are in need of more practice.
  • For Beatty’s very long speech:
    • In English class students will analyze for meaning; in composition class, students will analyze for rhetorical devices.
    • This is a long speech. It will take two class days.

Next

Complete analysis of Beatty’s speech.

Lesson 9
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