Censorship, Truth & Happiness in Fahrenheit 451

Lesson 9
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ELA

Unit 7

10th Grade

Lesson 9 of 20

Objective


Analyze the significance of Lady Macbeth’s handwashing. 

Explain the implied relationship between Montag’s hands and Lady Macbeth’s hands.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury  pp. 34 – 36 — “Part 1: The Hearth and the Salamander”

  • Play: Macbeth by William Shakespeare  — 5.1.1-35

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

In what ways is Lady Macbeth’s handwashing connected to Montag’s uncontrollable hands?

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Annotation Focus

What lines describe Montag’s hands and are particularly revealing? 

What lines describe Lady Macbeth’s hands and are particularly revealing? 

Scaffolding Questions

Act 5, Scene 1 of Macbeth

  • According to the Gentlewoman, what has Lady Macbeth been doing? (Lines 4–9)
  • How does Lady Macbeth appear when she first enters. Why is this description significant? 
  • What does Lady Macbeth constantly need by her? Why do you think this is? What might it symbolize?
  • Using your prior knowledge of the play, explain Lady Macbeth’s behavior as described in lines 28–32. What is she doing? Why is she doing this? 
  • What is Lady Macbeth referring to in lines 53–55? What emotion does this reveal?

Discourse Questions

What is the significance of Lady Macbeth’s hands in Act 5, Scene 1? What does it reveal about central ideas in Macbeth

What is the significance of Montag’s hands in Part 1? What does it reveal about central ideas in Fahrenheit 451

Scaffolding Questions

Fahrenheit 451, pages 34-36 (from "Montag's hand" to "down the street."

  • In this scene, Montag's hand is personfied. What kind of qualities and emotions are associated with his hand? Why might this be significant with helping us to understand Montag's character and his inner conflict?
  • The narrator tells us, "Montag had done nothing. His hand had done it all." What is the literal meaning of this quote? What does this quote illustrate about how Montag perceives his actions and who is to blame for said actions? 

Homework


  • Read and annotate Section 2 of Fahrenheit 451 by Lesson 13. 
    • Annotation Focus: In what ways does Montag’s character change in Part 2? Who does he become? 
  • Track evidence for this unit’s Free Response Question using a SAY, MATTER, MEAN chart.

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Standards


  • LO 1.4B — Synthesize ideas from multiple texts and explain how the texts may convey different perspectives on a common theme or idea.
  • RL.9-10.3 — Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

Supporting Standards

LO 1.3A
LO 1.3B
LO 5.1A
LO 5.1B
RL.9-10.1
RL.9-10.2
SL.9-10.1
W.9-10.2.a

Next

Analyze how Beatty develops his argument about society, communication, and censorship in his lecture to Montag.

Lesson 10
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