Semester 1 Exam revision Flashcards
Remember quotes, structures, and breaking down questions (21 cards)
Responding Essay for F451
What is Fahrenheit 451?
Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 (1953) deploys a blend of key conventions of the dystopian speculative fiction genre. It is about Guy Montag who lives in a society where books are banned )firemen burn them) and everyone is entertained by state televised screens.
What is the hook?
In a world where firemen ignite rather than extinguish, and the flames of censorship incinerate knowledge in favour or a technology-centric society…
“It was like a great bee…”
(Surveillance)
“It was like a great bee coming home from some field where the nectar if full of poison, wildness, insanity and nightmare…”
What language feature is that quote?
Simile: “It was like” comparing the mechanical hound to a venomous bee
“A book is a loaded gun…”
(Surveillance)
“A book is a loaded gun in the house next door. Burn it. Take a shot from the weapon. Breach man’s mind. Who knows who might be the target of a well-read man?”
What language feature is that quote?
Imperative verb and metaphor: “Burn it.” creates a sense of urgency and command that censorship is necessary. Metaphor suggests books are dangerous weapons.
“He felt he was one…”
(Dehumanisation)
“He felt he was one of the creatures electronically inserted between the slots of the phono-coloured walls. Speaking, but the speech not piercing the crystal barrier.”
What language feature is this?
Metaphor: Suggests an invisible barrier between them, emphasising Mildred’s inability of human interaction.
“Nobody listens anymore…”
(Dehumanisation)
“Nobody listens anymore. I can’t talk to the walls because they’re yelling at me. I can’t talk to my wife; she listens to the walls.”
What language features is this?
Metaphor, Repetition: The metaphor implies the screens dominance and overrule of Montag. “I cant… I cant…” emphasises Montag’s growing despair and frustration.
“There must be something in books…”
(Resistant protagonist)
“There must be something in books, things we can’t imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don’t stay for nothing”.
What language features is this?
Repetition, Emotive language: Repetition of “There must be something…” Emphasises Montag’s growing conviction of what “Something” may be. “burning house” evokes a strong image of danger and destruction, emphasising the extremity of what compelled the woman.
“We never…”
(Resistant protagonist)
“We never burned right…”
Responding essay for Nosedive
What is Nosedive?
Nosedive’, is an episode from the series “Black Mirror” directed by Joe Wright and released in 2016, that explores a further futuristic society where every human interaction is based on a ranking system on each individual’s mobile. Every person’s overall rating out of 5 stars can determine many aspects of their lives.
What is the hook?
In a world where your worth is determined by the tap of a screen, how far would you go to chase a five-star life?
How does Nosedive show surveillance?
When Naomi is on a video call with Lacie, she tries to create a pleasing image of herself to maintain her status, even in intimacy.
What multimodal element is this?
Close up shot: shows setting and body language.
How does Nosedive show dehumanisation?
Lacie mimicking Bethany’s body language. This dehumanises her as, due to this rating system, people feel urged that they have to put on a fake personality, suppressing her freedom of individuality.
What multimodal element is this?
Body language: because she mimicks Bethany’s posture
How does Nosedive NOT show a resistant protagonist?
Her Obsession with the Pelican Grove Community: Her entire motivation revolves around achieving a 4.5 rating to qualify for the discounted apartment. Her constant checking of her rating, her anxiety over minor negative interactions, and her eagerness to please potential raters all stem from this desire to conform to the rating threshold.
What multimodal element is this?
Digetic sound, Salience: symbolic of up ratings and down ratings. People are drawn to the stars above her head.
