Driving Question: Who should we fear the most-- the government, or ourselves?
"In short, Orwell feared that what we hate will ruin us. Huxley feared that what we love will ruin us." Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death
Your Task: Identify a common theme in 1984 and Brave New World, and decide which depiction of a dystopian society is more relevant to us today.
English 12 Honors Requirements
Independent Reading: You will read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley independently. You are expected to acquire your own copy of the book (if finances are an issue, please see me privately). You will discuss the book at five discussions on Thursday office hours, starting next week through the first week of December. To prepare for discussions, you will complete a reading log for each chapter that I will check at our meetings.
Compare-Contrast Literary Analysis Essay:You will write an essay comparing and contrasting 1984 and Brave New World.
Topic selection due 11/17: You will select a topic from the list in the project packet (or propose your own).
Essay outline due 12/1: You will submit an outline of your essay, including your thesis statement, evidence and basis of analysis.
Final essay due 12/6: In your essay, you will assert and explore a thesis statement by comparing and contrasting examples from Brave New World and 1984. You will support your thesis statement with at least 12 quotes from both novels, followed by your own original analysis.
Speaking/Listening: You will actively participate in four weekly Socratic seminar discussions about the assigned weekly reading. You will receive one score demonstrating mastery in this area. Finally, you will present the thesis, evidence and conclusion of your essay in a 5-minute presentation on 12/6 or 12/7.