Curriculum  /  ELA  /  10th Grade  /  Unit 1: "If This Goes On..." Technology, Truth, and Happiness in Fahrenheit 451  /  Lesson 4

"If This Goes On..." Technology, Truth, and Happiness in Fahrenheit 451

Lesson 4
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ELA

Unit 1

10th Grade

Lesson 4 of 21

Objective

Analyze how the characterization of Mildred introduces Bradbury's theme of technology.

Readings and Materials

  • Book: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury  pp. 8 – 28 — "Part 1: The Hearth and the Salamander"

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A Note for Teachers

Today's reading lesson references suicide and death by gun violence. Be mindful of how this content might impact students.

Target Task

Discussion & Writing Prompt

How does the contrasting characterization of Clarisse and Mildred introduce Bradbury's theme of technology? Provide specific evidence from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

Sample Response

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Key Thinking

Close Read Questions

Trace Montag's interactions with Clarisse in these pages. What is Clarisse's effect on Montag? Provide specific examples from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

What diction, imagery, and/or figurative language does Bradbury use to describe Mildred's room and Mildred on pages 9–11? What is the significance of these details? What do they reveal about Mildred and the situation? Provide specific examples from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

What does the scene with the machines and the operators reveal about the society in which they live? Provide specific examples from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

Vocabulary

Text-based

pulverize

v.

(p. 11)

reduce to fine particles

conjure

v.

(p. 20)

to make something appear by magic or as if by magic

olfactory

adj.

(p. 22)

related to the sense of smell

Homework

Read pp. 29–49 and answer the following questions.

  • Book: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What disturbs Montag at the start of this section?

  • Montag again thinks about the ventilator grill at his home. Given the context of the conversation at the firehouse, what do you think he might be keeping there?

  • When are the rules of the Firemen of America?

  • What does Montag take during the fire at the woman's house? How does he explain this action to himself?

  • Who ultimately sets the fire at the old woman's house? Why?

  • What "soft sounds" does Montag make when he gets home that night? What does that mean?

  • What does Mildred say happened to Clarisse? When did she find this out?

  • Who does Mildred call her "family"?

  • What does Montag want Mildred to do for him the next morning?

Annotation Focus

Note moments that show Montag's changing attitudes and beliefs.

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Standards

  • RL.9-10.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
  • 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.
  • RL.9-10.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).

Supporting Standards

L.9-10.1
L.9-10.6
RL.9-10.1
RL.9-10.10
SL.9-10.1
SL.9-10.6
W.9-10.9
W.9-10.10

Next

Analyze how events and descriptive details show a development in Montag's character. 

Lesson 5
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