UTOPIAN SHORT STORIESPrompts and Vocabulary

Vocab review:Match which words go with

which definitions

A. symbolism device where the meaning of a greater, often abstract, concept is conveyed with the aid of a more corporeal object or idea being used as an example. Usually a rhetoric device, an allegory suggests a meaning via metaphoric examples.

B. Emitting light

C. Of balanced proportions; shape size and form are all equal

D. Something that interferes with being able to do something successfully

E. Determined: having made correct measurements

F. Problems or barriers

G. Amazement or dismay that confuses or prevents a person from doing what they need to do

H. To attract or hold completely 

I. Unending

J. Alertly watchful, especially to avoid danger

K. Different; non-standard; unusual

L. Full of envy; painfully or resentfully aware of others advantages or possessions

1. Unceasing:

2. Vigilance:

3. Envious:

4. Abnormal:

5. Luminous:

6. Impediment:

7. Calibrated:

8. Hindrances:

9. Symmetry:

10. Consternation:

11. Riveting:

12. Allegory

Free Writing

•Imagine that you lived in the perfect world. What would it look like? How would it be run? How would people act in that world? Describe what it looks like and feels like to live there. Go into specific detail about what you think would be better about your imagined world.

POLITICAL SYSTEMS

Questions: Answer with complete support and full explanations.

1. What is a utopian society? In your opinion, why isn’t it possible?

2. How do communism and socialism differ? Explain.

3. How do capitalism and fascism differ? Explain.

4. What economic-political system makes the most sense to you? Explain why.

5. What criticisms do you have of EACH of these four economic-political systems? Explain.

6. Explain what ideology or ideologies the American government adheres to. Support your answer with evidence you see happening around you.

KNOW THE DEFINITIONS OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Utopia/ Utopianism

• Dystopia• Communism• Socialism• Capitalism• Fascism• Democracy• Extremism• Leftist

philosophies• Rightist

philosophies

*Utopia*

Utopia is a place where you can find pure airA place where everyone is kind, polite and fairA place where there are Angels flying everywhereA place where there is neither sadness nor despair.

In Utopia unique humans are not so rareThey all love each other and for emotions careNo envy, lying or hypocrisy - I swearEverything and everyone's ideal I'm aware

I really really wish I really could be there But going to Utopia's a big affair.

“Utopia”

• Thomas More’s Utopia, originally published in 1516, tells the story of a fictional island called Utopia. Raphael, the character who describes the customs, politics, and beliefs, thinks the Utopians’ way of life is ideal. He addresses many of the challenges of society and explains how the Utopians handle these challenges.

• On the next slide you will find an excerpt from Utopia. This text may seem difficult, but Mrs. Charles will read aloud and model the process of a think aloud to show you how to make meaning from difficult texts.

Utopia has the Greek

prefix ou- (spelled u here), which means “not,” andthe Greek root -top-, whichmeans “place.”

The root -top- is also found in topography, topiary, and

topic.

“Utopia” by Tomas More• OF THEIR TRADES, AND MANNER OF LIFE

Agriculture is that which is so universally understood among them that no person, either man or woman, is ignorant of it; they are instructed in it from their childhood, partly by what they learn at school, and partly by practice, they being led out often into the fields about the town, where they not only see others at work but are likewise exercised in it themselves. Besides agriculture, which is so common to them all, every man has some peculiar trade to which he applies himself; such as the manufacture of wool or flax, masonry, smith’s work, or carpenter’s work; for there is no sort of trade that is not in great esteem among them. Throughout the island they wear the same sort of clothes, without any other distinction except what is necessary to distinguish the two sexes and the married and unmarried. The fashion never alters, and as it is neither disagreeable nor uneasy, so it is suited to the climate, and calculated both for their summers and winters. Every family makes their own clothes; but all among them, women as well as men, learn one or other of the trades formerly mentioned. Women, for the most part, deal in wool and flax, which suit best with their weakness, leaving the ruder trades to the men. The same trade generally passes down from father to son, inclinations often following descent; but if any man’s genius lies another way he is, by adoption, translated into a family that deals in the trade to which he is inclined; and when that is to be done, care is taken, not only by his father, but by the magistrate, that he may be put to a discreet and good man: and if, after a person has learned one trade, he desires to acquire another, that is also allowed, and is managed in the same manner as the former. When he has learned both, he follows that which he likes best, unless the public has more occasion for the other.

After reading, answer these questions:

1. Does this excerpt match the dictionary definition of utopia? Explain.

2. What challenges/problems do you think existed in More’s society that he is attempting to address in his Utopia? How does he resolve those challenges in his Utopia?

3. Quickwrite: With structured writing (a thesis and 2 body paragraphs), evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of More’s utopian society. Use separate paper. (1- 1½ page)

4. What would a perfect society look like today?

HONORS ASSIGNMENT: THOMAS MORE’S UTOPIA

1. On the web, read background on Thomas More and Utopia and a summary of Book I.

2. Divide up Book II as follows (approximately 3 students per group)

Group 1: Book II intro, Of Their Towns Particularly of Amaurot, Of Their Magistrates, Of Their Trades and Manner of Life, Of Their Traffic

Group 2: Of the Travelling of the Utopians

Group 3: Of Their Slaves and Of Their Marriages, Of Their Military Discipline

Group 4: Of the Religions of the Utopians

3. Individually, read and thoroughly annotate your assigned section(s). (10 points)

4. Individually, write a s paragraph summary of your section(s). (IVFT summaries work just fine) (10 points)

5. Individually, create a poster that highlights 3 major points from your assigned reading, 2 quotes to support each idea and 1 life lesson that comes from each point. (30)

6. As a group, you will teach your classmates about your sections(s) in a 5-7 minute presentation. You will need to confer with the members of your group on your own time to decide what you are going to say to teach these concepts to the class. You should set up study groups as needed. (Presentation rubric)

Forming ideas about a perfect society..

Start a page of notes labeled UTOPIA and record your thoughts into the notes. These notes will stay in your portfolio for the rest

of the unit.

• Group conversation: Remind each other of your ideas of a perfect world (you can refer to your notes on the board. What does the story “The Lottery” teach you about the best way to run a society? What works in this society and what doesn’t? How does this compare to “Harrison Bergeron?”

• Individual Work: Listen to the Honor’s presentations on Thomas More’s “Utopia.” Take notes on 3 major points from each section, the content of the 2 quotes that support each idea and the1 life lesson that comes from each point.

• Group Conversation #2: After each presentation, discuss how these ideas work with your own ideas about what works and what doesn’t.

Directions:

Equality

Antonyms

Your own definition

Experiences with it

Experiences with

inequality

What does the Declaration of

Independence mean when it says “All Men are created

equal?”

synonyms

1. Fill in the chart with the details it requires. Your answers can be in note form but should be thoughtful and easy to communicate

“Harrison Bergeron” Read and Annotate

• Sharp contrast between characters• Look for evidence of political systems as you read.

• See if you can detect the author’s bias in the details of the story (What kind of political system does he criticize? What type of political system does he promote? How do you know?)

• Decide on the major conflict of the story

Harrison Bergeron Comprehension Questions: Answer in layered analysis with quotes and citations1. How do you see the concept of equality addressed in this short

story? What is the author suggesting about the idea of complete equality?

2. Compare and contrast Hazel to George. What are the differences between them and what do these differences suggest about their society?

3. Describe Harrison, his major conflict, and his actions. What is the author trying to teach the reader through this character?

4. Think back to your Utopian society notes. How does this story connect to the concepts of utopia and dystopia?

5. Think back to what you learned in your political system notes. What political system is this story implicitly criticizing? What political system is it promoting? What inferences can you make about Kurt Vonnegut (the author) and his political beliefs based on the details of the story? What theme comes from this story?

Satire

• Definition: 

The use of satire in literature refers to the practice of making fun of a human weakness or character flaw. The use of satire is often inclusive of a need or decision of correcting or bettering the character that is on the receiving end of the satire. In general, even though satire might be humorous and may “make fun,” its purpose is not to entertain and amuse, but actually to derive a reaction of contempt from the reader.

• Example: • The best example of satire in modern popculture is the TV series

Southpark that uses satire as it primary medium for drawing attention the flaws in society, especially American society at present. The scripts and writing for the show are an excellent example of satire in written form.

Movie Evaluating

• Pull out a sheet of paper• Your objective is to evaluate everyone in class on your half of presentations

• Write down the name of the person presenting, three facts about their book, why you would/ wouldn’t want to read it.

• As you go around, rate the presentation on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the best (we will use this to determine the winner in each round)

Hegemony

Definition:

A system of everyday beliefs and practices which allow one group to control another without physical force

Question:

Where do you see examples of Hegemony in the “Harrison Bergeron” and “The Lottery?”

Vocab review:Match which words go with which definitions

A. plant stalks or grassy turf

B. confused or bewildered

C. the open grassland in Africa

D. Someone that has anxiety, acts on impulse, and has obsessive thoughts

E. a doctor that studies the science of the mind and human behavior

1. Psychologist

2. veldt

3. bemused

4. neurotic

5. thatched 

•What do these advertisements suggest about Americans, our society, and our relationship with technology?

AD links• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdRMVhlNP5I

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZkHpNnXLB0

•What do these advertisements suggest about Americans, our society, and our relationship with technology?

“The Wretched Stone”

• What is the author’s bias in this story? What does he want his reader’s to think about as a result of reading this story? How do you know?• What universal truth is he suggesting about living with technology?

• What is he suggesting about human nature?

• What is the them e? How do you know?

Free-Write Prompt:

•What one piece of modern technology would you have trouble living without? What would your life be like if you had to? Explain why it is so important to you. (10 minutes to write a minimum of a page)

Modernizing Society

•What are the benefits and drawbacks of modernizing our society? In other words, what are good things about technology and bad things about it?•Generate a list with your table group

Technology Articles/ Socratic Preparation

• Read two or more articles• Take notes using the SOAPStone protocol• Answer the following the questions with support

evidence:1. What is the major claim of this article? How do you know?

2. What is the author’s bias? How do you know? Give two to three examples (quotes and page numbers)

3. What does the author want you to think/do as a result of reading the article? How do you know? (quotes and page numbers)

4. Can you provide evidence or claims that counter those of the author? What are they?

5. What is your opinion about the major claim of the article? Do you agree? Do you disagree? Why?

Article discussion• Explain the premise of your article and the author’s

position. • Answer: What does this article suggest about our society

and our relationship with technology?• What language did the author use to convey his or her

point? What was its impact on you?• As a group, do you agree or disagree with the author’s

major claim? Is it logical? What counter claims can you suggest.

“The Veldt” by Ray BradburyDirections: As you read the short story, “The Veldt,” by Ray Bradbury annotate for the following questions.

1. Interesting word choices/ combinations of words/ Use of literary devices

2. What is the setting? Highlight/ underline interesting descriptions

3. There are 5 characters in this story. Name and describe each of them.

4.  What is the main conflict, or problem in the story? What major decision does George make? (climax)  

5. What happens as a result of that decision? (falling action)

The Veldt Reading QuizDirections: Read each of the following quotes

and answer the questions that follow.

1. “They walked down the hall of their soundproofed Happylife Home, which had cost them thirty thousand dollars installed, this house which clothed and fed and rocked them to sleep and played and sang and was good to them” (Bradbury 1). What is the home replacing?

2. “’But I thought that's why we bought this house, so we wouldn't have to do anything?"’ (Bradbury 3). What does this tell you about the dad?

3. “Peter looked at his shoes. He never looked at his father any more, nor at his mother” (Bradbury 6). Why is this quote important? What does it suggest about Peter?

Directions: Answer the following questions with layered analysis.

4. There are several themes in “The Veldt.” What argument is the author making about technology?

5. What is the author trying to say about family?

“The Veldt” 3-2-1 PosterDo the activity below with a partner:

• Define Satire• List and explain three problems that the story highlights from modern American society

• Find and write two passages from the story that exaggerated, illustrate, or exemplify this problem. Explain what the passages reveal about the characters, setting, and conflicts in the story.

• Write one thematic statement (make sure it is worded properly) that indicates the author’s attitude toward the problems highlighted in the story.

Directions: Please respond to the following prompt in a fully-developed five paragraph essay.

Reminders:

The thesis is the last sentence in your introduction and should clearly state your argument. Each body paragraph should have a focused idea with at least two examples to support that idea. You should explain how each example supports your argument. In other words, why did you use that example? Your conclusion should not introduce any new information that requires further explanation.

Essay Prompt:

In Ray Bradbury’s short story, The Veldt,” there is an underlying theme, or message, that a dependence on technology will not create the utopian society that many people believe in. The technology in this story is intended to make life easier; however, it causes more problems than it eases. This was written in the 1950s, when technology was not nearly as advanced as it is today. Write an essay that makes a case for or against Bradbury’s message. In other words, do you think that technology, today, adds to or takes away from the overall quality of life? Be sure to use specific examples to support your argument.

Some things to consider, before you choose your position…

Medical Advancements Malfunctioning Technology

Connecting to people around the world

Cyber bullying

Digital records of bills, emails, business deals , etc.

Invasion of privacy (hackers, identity theft, etc.)

(continue to brainstorm)

(continue to brainstorm)

         

PROS OF TECHNOLOGY CONS OF TECHNOLOGY

Making Connections

On your own: Write in an organized response• What are the reasons that people will go along with things

that they don’t understand or don’t agree with? What are the reasons that people might not intervene when they see something bad or wrong happening to someone?

• Has there been a time in your life when you went along with something? Why did you do it? What did you learn from it.

10 minutes for a page and a half of writing

• With Your Group: Share and make a list of reasons.

“The Lottery”•Read and annotate for the following:

• What is happening in the story• Foil characters• Contrasts between the setting and the behavior of the characters

• Foreshadowing (if you have read it before)• The theme/ Author’s intention/ Author’s Bias

Vocab review:Match which words go with which definitions

A. assorted objects or items, especially of equipment required for a specific activity; things usually associated with something

B. connected with the duties and obligations of belonging to a community

C. noisy, energetic, and rowdy; full of noisy enthusiasm and often roughness or wildness

D. to come, go, be, or happen before somebody or something else in time, position, or importance

E. to disconnect one thing from another, or become disconnected from something; mentally detach yourself or another

F. a continuous low sound, often one that seems to be coming from some distance away; something said quietly

G. tell somebody off; to rebuke someone for a wrongdoing

H. a political, social, and economic right that belongs to the citizens of a state or to all people; freedom

I. not eager; feeling or showing no willingness or enthusiasm to do something

J. done routinely as a matter of duty or custom, without thought, attention, or genuine feeling; done hastily or superficially

K. seriously and solemnly

L. seemingly endless

1. Perfunctory

2. Liberty

3. Boisterous

4. Reprimand

5. Reluctant

6. Civic

7. Murmur

8. Paraphernalia

9. Precede

10. Interminable

11. Disengage

12. Gravely

Connect the Concepts and Themes1. What is “The Lottery” about? (Concepts)

• What in the story connects to the world outside of the story and to the problems people face?

2. What is the author’s attitude about these things? What universal lesson does this story teach (Themes)

• What does the author intend to teach us about these real world concepts/problems?

In a well-structured paragraph, explain what the author’s intent is with the writing of “The Lottery.” Explain how the author uses the details of the story to guide the reader to a theme. As always, you must support your answer with textual evidence and layered analysis.

Poster

1 theme

2 foil characters that help teach us the theme. With descriptions about the role those characters played in the story/conflict

3 connections to our society