Extra Credit Opportunity

We just read pages 32 – 38 of Fahrenheit 451, the section with the woman who martyrs herself for her books.

As an extra credit opportunity this weekend, you may — if you wish — rewrite this scene from the woman’s Point of View (instead of Montag’s). Do not CHANGE anything; just re-tell everything as if the woman had been the viewpoint character.

I have some thoughts, all of which you should feel free to ignore and write your own ideas out.  But here they are …

• Start with her awakening (or potentially staying awake), fearing the firemen might be headed her way. What was she doing before they got there? Details will help this be great.
• Describe what she sees as she watches the firemen arrived and enter through her front door.
• Detail her thoughts as the firemen grab her, even though she is not trying to escape. What are you hoping will happen? What do you fear will happen?
• Remember to make your quote; it’s obviously very important. What’s going on in your head as you are preparing to say it?
• Describe your feelings as the firemen begin to destroy your library.
• One of the firemen – you don’t know his name, but it’s Montag – is not doing what the other firemen are doing. He is standing beside you. What are your thoughts about this man? (Do you see him take the book, or not? It’s up to you … Consider how this will affect your narrative.)
• Write about your decision not to leave your books behind. Why are you willing to sacrifice your life for what you believe?
• Describe the end, and why you do the thing that you do.
• What is your last thought as you perish?

If you choose to do this assignment, it is due Monday, February 24. It is worth up to 25 extra credit points (plus an automatic 5, if you type.).

Please remember that extra credit opportunities, when given, are part of my Grade Recovery Plan. There are no miracle makeups at the end of the 9 weeks marking period; students should take advantage of these opportunities when they come.

Here are the qualities I’m going to use to assess your writing:

• Is it written like a story? (Proper paragraphing, a blend of narration and dialogue, etc.)
• Is it complete? (Covers the entire section, leaves no important parts out, etc.)
• Is it true to the story? (No major deviations from the story, other than perspectives she has that might be different from Montag’s)
• Rather than merely rehashing what happens in that section, does it present some new ideas to be considered in the context of the world of the novel?
• Is it interesting?

To submit your story – which I look forward to reading – you have three options:

• hand deliver in class on Monday
• type and submit through Google Classroom before 11:59 p.m. on 2/24/20
• e-mail as an attached .doc or .docx file to richard.stanton@polk-fl.net before 11:59 p.m. on 2/24/20

Have fun!