Fahrenheit 451 Allusions Poster
In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury alludes (makes allusions to) many different writers and thinkers.
In describing the travelers on pages 151-153, he specifically mentions a variety of writers
whose works are memorized by the travelers. Because advanced readers understand that
authors choose allusions for specific purposes, as a class we will study several of these writers.
We could not possibly go through this entire list and research each one, so you will break into
groups and research a writer of your choice.
Your poster will have…
1. A biography that includes:
 The writer’s date of birth and death
 Where the writer primarily lived
 A list of the writer’s major writings and/or accomplishments
 An image of the writer
2. At least two significant quotes from the author
3. Most importantly, an explanation of why the author would be included in novel. You will
answer the question: Why did Ray Bradbury choose to allude to this author in
Fahrenheit 451?
4. MLA citations of research (at least three sources)
Of course, you will share your poster with the class after the project is finished. Have fun!
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Please choose one person from the list below (numbers refer to the page numbers in Fahrenheit 451 in which
these names are mentioned):
José Ortega y Gasset (150) – Spanish philosopher
Marcus Aurelius (151) – Roman emperor and philosopher
Jonathon Swift (151) – Writer; political pamphleteer
Arthur Schopenhauer (151) – German philosopher
Albert Einstein (151) – German-born physicist
Albert Schweitzer (151) - Theologian, musician, philosopher, and physician
Aristophanes (151) – Ancient Greek dramatist
Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi (151) - major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence
movement
Confucius (151) – Chinese philosopher and teacher
Thomas Love Peacock (151) – English author
Thomas Jefferson (151) - Third President of the United States; founding father
Abraham Lincoln (151) - Sixteenth President of the United States
Lord Byron (152) – English poet
Thomas Paine (152) - English pamphleteer; revolutionary
Machiavelli (152) - Italian diplomat; political philosopher; musician, poet, and playwright
Henry David Thoreau (153) - American author; naturalist; philosopher
Bertrand Russell (153) - British philosopher; writer; historian; logician, mathematician
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Allusions Poster Helper
Part I: Biography
Writer’s name
Writer’s date of
birth and death
Location in which
writer lived
List of writer’s
accomplishments
and writings
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Part II: MLA citations (fill in at least 3 with the information in the templates below):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Web Site Information (answer each that is available)
Title: ____________________________________________________________________
Author: _________________________________________________________________
WEB site title: ____________________________________________________________
Web Page Title: __________________________________________________________
WEB address: <http://____________________________________________________
Sponsoring organization for WEB site: _____________________________________
Date of most recent revision of WEB site: _____________________________________
Book Information
Title: _____________________________________________________________________
Author: __________________________________________________________________
Editor(s): (if a collection of articles): ________________________________________
Publisher and city of publisher: _____________________________________________
Date of publication/ copyright: (year) _______________________________________
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Part III: Significant quotes (fill in at least two)
Quote 1:
Why is this significant to your poster?
Quote 2:
Why is this significant to your poster?
Quote 3:
Why is this significant to your poster?
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Part IV (most important!): Why did Ray Bradbury choose to allude to this author in Fahrenheit 451?
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Grading Rubric – Final Poster
A
Biography of
writer
Significant
quotes
Explanation
Visual
elements of
the poster
Workmanship
B
C
D or below
Poster carefully lists
writer’s dates of
birth/death, where the
author lived, significant
accomplishments/writings
, and includes an image of
the writer
Poster displays at least
two significant quotes
that help readers to
understand the author’s
way of thinking. Quotes
are carefully written
verbatim.
All of the criteria
in “A” are met, but
lists do not seem
thorough
Three out of four Only one or two
of the criteria in of the criteria in
“A” are met
“A” are met.
Poster carefully
displays at least
two significant
quotes, but one or
more seems
randomly chosen.
Both quotes seem
random or are
not written
carefully.
Poster only has
one quote, or has
no quotes.
Poster expertly explains
why this writer is
included in Fahrenheit
451. Writing is
persuasive and includes
strong examples from the
text.
Visually powerful
elements used
purposefully to enhance
and enrich the
interpretation. An image
of the writer is featured.
Poster adequately
explains why this
writer is included in
the novel. Examples
are vague or
minimally explained.
Poster poorly
explains why this
writer is
included.
Examples are
missing or weak.
Visual elements
used purposefully
to enhance and
enrich the
interpretation. An
image of the writer
is featured.
Visual elements
used to enhance
the
interpretation.
An image of the
writer is
featured.
Poster hardly
explains why this
writer is
included. Reader
would not
understand logic
or be persuaded.
Visual elements
used do not
enhance the
interpretation.
There is no
image of the
writer featured.
Attention to all details
enhances the final
product, making it
engaging and clear for
readers.
Attention to detail
results in clean,
neat product.
Attention to
detail ensures all
work is done.
Sloppy work,
elements missing
or done
haphazardly.
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