B Block Sophomore
Honors Literature and Composition
Assignments up to
Thanksgiving
Students’ Writing
Prompts – portfolio of three written responses
From each section choose one student journal prompt to
respond to in 30-45 minutes of thoughtful writing. Please make sure you
clearly. identify the letter of the prompt.
I.
Due
Monday, November 7 (Choose one)
A.
In Fahrenheit
451 Montag is described as having
worn a “mask” of happiness, without actually being in a state of true
happiness. In our world there are many
cases where people too wear masks of happiness that hide contrary emotions deep
down, which they often do not realize.
Overall do you think that it is beneficial for society to have people wear “masks” of happiness? (Kevin)
B.
“We understand how dangerous a mask can be. We all become what we pretend to be.” –
Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind PROMPT: How did the mask of constant happiness
change Montag and his society? How does
that compare to our society today? (Ryan)
C.
In Fahrenheit
451 the main character wears a mask of constant smiling. This hides how he actually feels, because
happiness is just his neutral face. How
do people exhibit this characteristic in our society and what are the effects?
(Sam R.)
D.
“I want
to hold onto this funny thing. God, it’s
gotten so big on me. I don’t know what
it is. I’m so damned unhappy. I’m so mad and I don’t know why. I feel like I’m putting on weight. “ – Guy
Montag to Mildred (4). PROMPT CHOICES: 1) Describe a time when you realized you
felt upset without a clear reason. What
did you realize later about how you felt?
2) How does Mildred respond? What would you tell Montag if you were
Mildred? 3) Montag is finally letting go of his mask. How does Ray Bradbury build up to this
development? (SeoHyun)
E.
Describe the citizen’s relationship with their
government in Fahrenheit 451 and how
it compares to our own. What is our
relationship with rules? Why is it
important to question these rules, and how is the book a warning for people in
America today? (Susie)
F.
How do you think families bond in today’s
society? Do they still gather around the
tv? Do you think that as society is
advancing technologically, it is also slowly pulling us apart, or is it
succeeding in strenghthening our relationship with each other? (Catherine)
G.
What is the likelihood that our society could
become similar or identical to that outlined in Fahrenheit 451? What in the
book/in our world suggests that our society is moving towards theirs, and what
does not? (Lucas)
Thursday,
November 10 ~ Finish “The Sieve and the Sand” Note references to earlier motifs
and allusions
II.
Due
Monday, November 14 (Choose one)
A.
In history class this year, we have learned of
people with opposing viewpoints in terms of human nature. For example, Locke
considered people to be naturally moral and fair, whereas Hobbes considered
people to be selfish and cruel. In your
experience, what one word would you use to describe the human race as a whole?
(Anju)
B.
Do you think that Ray Bradbury expresses a
message about TV and entertainment technology in “The Hearth and the
Salamander” that is similar to the message expressed by David Sedaris in his
memoir “Tricked”? How is Clarisse and
her family similar to the Tomkey family?
How is Clarisse similar to the Tomkey family? How is she different? (Isabella)
C.
“Read nature; nature is a friend to truth.” PROMPT:
How does Bradbury use the imagery of nature to describe Clarisse? How does Clarisse employ nature to open
Montag’s mind to truth? Do you have a
special connection to the natural world? (Emie)
D.
In the beginning of Fahrenheit 451, Clarisse, upon meeting Montag, declares, “You laugh
when I haven’t been funny and you answer right off. You never stop to think what I’ve asked you
…” This judgment of his character unsettles Montag, who cannot give a reason
for his behavior. In society “being yourself” can be seen as a good or bad
thing. What are your thoughts on this
oft-repeated phrase? (Megan)
E.
Those of us who took World History I last year might
remember learning about the Buddhist religion.
The belief in Buddhism is that desire causes suffering, something that
Siddhartha Gupta learned. How does this
Buddhist idea relate to Montag’s happiness in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury? How does it relate to Mildred’s
happiness? Does Montag desire something
else in life that is causing him to feel unhappy? (Rishi)
F.
“Why is it,” he said, one time, at the subway
entrance, “I feel I’ve known you so many years?” “Because I like you,” she
said, “and I don’t want anything from you.” (29) PROMPT: Have you ever been in
those relationships where you haven’t known the other person very long, yet it
feels like you have known them forever?
Why do you think this happens? What
qualities in a person allow you to instantly feel comfortable around them? Do you think these quickly-formed
relationships have the same stability as relationships formed over a long time
together? (Maxim)
G.
What does fire symbolize in Fahrenheit 451? How do the different forms of fire represent the
opposing philosophies of the novel’s society? (Rebecca)
Tuesday, November 15
~ Read “Burning Bright” pages 113-137 Write down two questions, either for
clarification or discussion.
Due Thursday,
November 17 (choose one)
A.
Almost everything we do now is in preparation
for the future. We attend school to help
us get a job. We get a job to supply our future family with necessities. We raise our kids in a similar manner to
prepare them for the same process. Contrarily,
we also do a lot of activities that revolve around the idea of living in the
now, such as spending time with family and friends and going on a
vacation. In your perspective are the
activities we dedicate the majority of our time now focused mainly on the
future or now? Do you believe this is a
good balance? (Annie)
B.
Read “Lake of Innisfree” by William Butler Yeats
https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/lake-isle-innisfree.
William Butler Yeats wrote this poem about an
island, Innisfree, that is a special place for him.
Using his poem as inspiration, write about a
place that is special to you using at least six examples of imagery. (Nick)
D.
“Everybody is a genius. But if judge a fish by its ability to climb a
tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. - Albert
Einstein PROMPT: What are the things
about LHS that keep students from reaching
our full individual potential? (Yoojee)
E.
“I realize there is nothing more artistic than
to love others” – Vincent Van Gogh PROMPT: Van Gogh describes love as artistic.
What do you think he finds artistic about love?
Do you agree? Why or why not? What
do you think is Van Gogh’s intent for making this claim? (Daphne)
F.
Explain what the word “love” means to you. Have
you ever faked loving someone or felt you were obligated to love? (Kirsten)
G.
The way we speak and act are often based on the
assumptions others have of our personality.
How do your mannerisms change depending on whom you’re with and what
people assume about you? (Sam P.)
Monday, November 21 ~ Finish reading Fahrenheit 451. Write down your favorite
three motifs that the ending of the novel highlights with a brief comment for
each about Bradbury’s intent.
Tuesday, November 22 Read the Afterward,
Coda, and Conversation with Ray
Bradbury. Write down which you find most
interesting with a couple of sentences that explain your choice.
