Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What genres are associated with writer Ray Bradbury? If you are not familiar with the author, have you heard of Fahrenheit 451? What might you already know about Bradbury’s ideas regarding our relationship with technology in the future?

Teaching Suggestion: Students might benefit from discussing these questions as a group or investigating resources like the ones below. For students who are familiar with Bradbury’s work, encourage them to consider whether Bradbury’s works have proved to be prophetic. If so, how?

• “Ray Bradbury, Who Brought Mars to Earth With a Lyrical Mastery, Dies at 91”—The author’s obituary in the New York Times chronicles his personal and professional achievements, particularly his contributions to the genre of science fiction. (Subscription may be needed to view.)
• “Fahrenheit 451 Trailer (2018)”—This 2-minute trailer for the 2018 adaptation of Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 can help build context for students and establish Bradbury’s continued relevance today.
• “Ray Bradbury”—This site from Bradbury’s literary agency provides a wealth of information about the author’s life and work.