BRAVE NEW WORLD BY ALDOUS HUXLEY

WELCOME TO SECOND SEMESTER. WE’LL BE MAKING SOME CHANGES TO THE WAY OUR CLASSROOM IS RUN. THESE CHANGES WILL INCORPORATE TECHNOLOGIES WE HAVEN’T USED IN THE CLASSROOM BEFORE THAT WILL IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AMONG US. THESE CHANGES SHOULD ALSO ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS ARE TREATED EQUALLY AND GIVEN ROLES IN THE CLASSROOM THAT REFLECT THEIR STRENGTHS. WE WILL EXPLORE NEW FREEDOMS WE HAVEN’T BEFORE.

Rule #1: No one will be allowed to talk in class without my permission. In fact, talking will be very limited from now on. Rule #2: You will instead communicate with one another via on-line chat in the computer lab. I will have access to everything you say in your chats. No other form of communication will be allowed in class it is with me or is conducted with my permission.

Rule #3: The class will be divided into 3 groups based on grades. Students with the highest grades will be in one group, those in the middle will be another, and those with the lowest will make up the third group. There will be no communication allowed outside of these groups in class. Groups will have different assignments and are not allowed to know anything about the other group assignments. Rule #4: We will no longer be discussing historical connections to our texts. We will be free from the burden of thinking about the past. We will concentrate on the here and now and the future of our classroom. History is not important.

Rule #5: You may not discuss your family, interests, or cultural background. The culture of our classroom is more important. These other details distract from our task at hand. We are all equal. Our differences are not important. Now that you know what the new class rules could have been, fill out the worksheet responding to what this experience felt like.

WHAT IS DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE? Dystopian literature has been characterized as fiction that presents a negative view of society and humankind. In contrast, Utopian works typically sketch a future in which technology improves the everyday life of human beings and advances civilization, while dystopian works offer an opposite view. Utopian fiction is the creation of an ideal world, or utopia, as the setting. Dystopian fiction is the opposite; a creation of a nightmare world. In literature, dystopian novels often explore social and political structures.

WHAT IS DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE? Some common themes found in dystopian fiction includes: Mastery of nature – to the point that it becomes barren, or turns against humankind Technological advances that enslave humans or regiment their lives The mandatory division of people in society into castes or groups with specialized function A collective loss of memory and history making mankind easier to manipulate psychologically and ultimately leading to dehumanization (or the lessening of a person’s value)

FOUR CORNERS DEBATE Consider each of the statements on your worksheet and label it with one of the following: (A) = Agree (SA) = Strongly Agree (D) = Disagree (SD) = Strongly Disagree *Try to form an opinion on each topic!

FOUR CORNERS DEBATE Now that you have formed your opinion on these topics you will have a chance to discuss – here are the rules: 1. When each statement is read move to the designated corner of the classroom that corresponds with your opinion. 2. Once in the designated area talk with your groups about why you feel the way you do – designate a spokesperson. 3. The spokesperson will share the opinions of the group to the whole class. 4. Groups will have an opportunity to respond to another group if needed. 5. After each group has spoken students may move to a different corner if their opinion has changed.

AS WE READ – CULMINATING ACTIVITY Over the course of reading this novel you will have one activity you will keep and fill out continuously – CHARACTER CHART! Here are the things you must include on the character chart: 1. Caste: The characters names are given to you, but you must add the caste. 2. A physical description of the character: how does Huxley describe the looks of the various characters? What physical features are described? 3. Personality traits: how does Huxley describe his characters’ personalities? What do other characters say about each other? 4. Job and Priorities: what job does each character have? What is required of that specific job?

WHAT’S DUE/HOMEWORK Homework: Read Chapter 1 of Brave New World Turn In: Dystopian Rules Response Four Corners Worksheet