This is the first of three classes examining Fahrenheit 451. In this class, we will examine the first section of the book; The Hearth and The Salamander.

First, we will talk about what happens in this section of the book. We find out about the world that the characters live in, what they go through in their inter personal relationships and what made their world come to be how it is.

Next, we will look at literary devices such as figurative language, tone and descriptive language.

Finally, we will talk about the themes. Although this book was written in 1953, the learners will be amazed to read the similarities of items or situations in the novel and in our world today such as the ear sea shells that are basically ear pods.

In this part of the lesson, learners will read Beatty’s speech, which covers dumbing down in schools, the pursuit of entertainment and distraction from real issues in the world. We will then discuss Beatty’s speech.

I will ask the learners why books and literacy are important to individuals and society. I will pose the posit of Douglas Coupland from his first novel Generation X that humans need stories, and we tell stories as a way of understanding life in general as well as understanding our individual lives. I will ask the learners what they think about the emotional emptiness that characters in Fahrenheit 451 live with.

The next question will be on tech and social media, if they are a help or a hindrance for society and individuals.

Finally, we will discuss the character Mildred, what learners think of her and why she is the way she is.

Learners will discuss ideas after I have posed questions. Learners can discuss ideas with one another, and they can ask me questions.

The knowledge learners will need to attend this class is to have read The Hearth and The Salamander.