Part I: The Hearth and the Salamander

Dayo texted me this morning to tell me that he has no clue what's going on in this book. (Major props, both for starting your summer reading and for reaching out for help when you need it.) I suspect that many of you are feeling similarly confused. My first suggestion? Read the back of the book. That's the publisher's way of cluing you into and hooking you into the book - like the previews at the movies.

Beyond that, here's the scoop. Ray Bradbury wrote this novel in the 1950's, as the Cold War and McCarthyism were starting and everything in America was getting modernized and standardized. The idea that Americans would all like in cookie cutter houses in the suburbs with white picket fences and happy smiling housewives who served TV dinners to a family glued to the TV screen (a new invention in the 50's) terrified Bradbury. Fahrenheit 451 shows what he imagines America would become around 2025 if people continued blindly trusting technology and the government.

Response #1: The fictional world of Fahrenheit 451 is called a dystopia. A dystopia is a nightmare world, the opposite of a utopia (paradise). Remember, in a nightmare, you recognize elements of your life, but your world is turned upside down and terrifying. What are ways that Guy Montag (our main character)'s world is a dystopia? How is the world that Bradbury created similar to real life but also like a nightmare? What evidence do you see of Bradbury's concerns about what will happen to American society?

Also think about our main characters. How does Guy Montag fit into his world? How does Clarisse fit in? How does Guy's wife Mildred fit in? What is the purpose of these two female characters?

Rules for the post: I asked you a lot of questions. Focus on one or two. Write at least 5 sentences, including one quote from the book that supports your argument.

Summer Reading Assignment

By now you should have your assignment and your books. I hope you're excited for some great reading!

Start with Fahrenheit 451. I'll be posting a question for each section, and you must comment on all 3 posts by July 31. (pgs 1-68, 71-110, and 113-179) If you have a good reason why you can't make that happen, email me.

(Note: "I want to read all the books in the last week of August to practice my speed reading skillz" is NOT a good reason. But nice try.)

For The Namesake, you'll have to comment on 4 posts (pgs 1-71, 72-158, 159-218, 219-291). Those must be completed by Friday August 27. Remember, your work here on this blog will be 10% of your Quarter 1 grade!

Happy Reading!