American Literature Main Texts
Here are the main texts we cover this year of American Literature.
The Crucible
The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, was written in 1952 about the Salem Witch Trials in the 1690's. The play draws on real life people and events, but changes them somewhat to provide a fictional aspect to the story.
Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, examines a society which has banned all books, reading, and intellectual pursuits. There are firemen whose job it is to burn books when they are found. Individuals in this society do not learn, are anti-social, and just accept what life gives them with no real thoughts. Our main character Guy Montag is one of those firemen who goes through a thought and life-altering experience. Throughout the novel, he is forced to question everything he thought he knew and everything he thought he stood for.
The novel provides many incredibly interesting parallels to our modern day society and gives plenty of opportunity for the students to think critically about and discuss current events and ideas.
The novel provides many incredibly interesting parallels to our modern day society and gives plenty of opportunity for the students to think critically about and discuss current events and ideas.