E4: Scifi as Lit

For each book, you are expected to be reading over Spring Break, writing summaries each time you finish reading (I'm expected 8-10). It would be a good idea to have some general notes/questions relating to the key questions or potential answers for the discussion on April 1.

• Brave New World (1932)—Chapter 7
• How do John, Bernard Marx, Helmholtz Watson, and Lenina Crowne show different aspects of human nature? Explain.
• What current technologies are similar to the ideas behind the ones described in this book? Explain.
• What trends in the world today imply we are/are not on a similar path to Huxley's vision? Explain.
• 1984 (1949)—Chapter VIII
• How do Winston Smith, Julia, O'Brian, Mr. Charrington, and Syme show different aspects of human nature? Explain.
• What current technologies are similar to the ideas behind the ones described in this book? Explain.
• What trends in the world today imply we are/are not on a similar path to Orwell's vision? Explain.
• The Martian Chronicles (1950)—September 2005: The Martian
• How do the humans interacting with the ghosts of Mars and the Martians interacting with the ideas of Earthers explore the idea of what it means to be human?
• What has our current exploration of Mars proven or disproven about Bradbury's ideas? Explain.
• In what ways are Bradbury's short stories not science fiction? Explain.
• Fahrenheit 451 (1953)—Part 3: Burning Bright
• How do Montag, Clarisse, Faber, and Mildred show different aspects of human nature? Explain. 
• Why are books banned periodically by different groups? Are ideas really that dangerous?Explain.
• What current technologies are similar to the ideas behind the ones described in this book? Explain.
• What trends in the world today imply we are/are not on a similar path to Bradbury's vision? Explain.
• Childhood's End (1953)—Part 3: The Last Generation
• How does each section of the book show a radical change in humanity and society? Explain.
• What current technologies are similar to the ideas behind the ones described in this book? Explain.
• What trends in the world today imply we are/are not on a similar path to Clarke's vision? Explain.