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PowerPoint by Nicholas Shewprasad
Early Life
• Born on August 22, 1922 • Had a very happy childhood • Had an obsession over
adventure books and the magicians/magic
• Avidly read Frank Baum, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Jules Verne
• Made a decision to be a writer by the age of 12 or 13, but changed his mind numerous Hmes
Growing Up
• Many scholars give credit to Bradbury’s loving family who is responsible for nurturing Bradbury’s interests.
• Bradbury loved to write stories about his family as expressed within his early stories.
Home = “Greentown”
• Bradbury wrote a short story, “Greentown” in which emulated Waukegan, IL where he grew up.
• Within the story, Bradbury’s uncle can fly, a traveling circus becomes a school for the supernatural, and his grandparents provide shelter for Charles Dickens. – Most of his early stories did not fall under the horror genre.
• Because his family would move between Illinois and Arizona frequently, Bradbury wanted to create a perfect town, free of problems.
Teenage Years
• In 1931, Bradbury moved to Los Angeles.
• He would go through Hollywood trying to spot celebriHes.
• Made friends with Ray Harryhausen (special effects master) and radio star (George Burns).
• Tried to write like Poe when he was eighteen, but decided a unique style was needed
Teenage Years
• George Burns recognized Bradbury’s talent as a writer for the Burns and Allen Show. – Bradbury would write jokes, clearly not part of the horror genre!
High School
• Bradbury aaended Los Angeles High School where he parHcipated in the drama club
• His future goal at this Hme was to be an actor, but it changed again to writer when two of his teachers encouraged his wriHng abiliHes.
• Bradbury’s works were all influenced by these two women, Snow Longley Housh and Jeannet Johnson.
Post High School
• Bradbury graduated in 1938, but did not aaend college.
• Instead, he educated himself by reading newspapers and going to the library to read.
• He would write short stories about the current issues in the news, embellished with his twist of events.
A Rising Career
• Bradbury’s first published story was “Hollerbochen's Dilemma” which was printed in a fan magazine called Imagina4on! – Story about Hollerbochen who knows he will die the next day.
ConHnuing Career
• In 1941, Bradbury was paid to print the short story “Pendulum” within Super Science Stories, a magazine.
• To strengthen his skills, Bradbury received mentoring from Henry Kuaner, Leigh Brackea, Robert Heinlein, and Henry Hasse.
Marriage
• Bradbury wed Marguerite McClure in 1947 – She was a clerk at a book shop where Bradbury visited ohen.
• At the wedding, Ray Harryhausen (famous visual effects creator) served as best man.
• Bradbury had four daughters – Susan, Ramona, Beina, Alexandra
RockeHng into Science FicHon
• Bradbury entered science ficHon where he became a leading pioneer of the genre .
• ReputaHon skyrocketed with a science ficHon novel called The Mar4an Chronicles. – The story envelopes man struggle to survive on a distance planet
– This novel alludes to the 1950s conflicts such as censorship, nuclear war, racism, and foreign poliHcs.
Fahrenheit 451
• Bradbury’s most famous work, released 1953 • Takes place in a Totalitarian regime
• Chronicles the story of Montag, who relishes burning books, a law implemented by the government.
• Montag begins to quesHon his acts, steals books, and then is educated by a professor
• When discovered Montag runs away.
Awards
• O. Henry Memorial Award • Benjamin Franklin Award (1954) • AviaHon-‐Space Writer's AssociaHon Award for Best Space ArHcle in an American Magazine (1967)
• World Fantasy Award for LifeHme Achievement
• Grand Master Award from the Science FicHon Writers of America
Film AdaptaHons
• Alfred Hitchcock asked Bradbury to help create some episodes for the TV series Alfred Hitchcock Presents – “Shopping for Death” – “Design for Loving” – “Special Delivery” – “The Life Work of Juan Diaz” – “The Jar” – 1 hour episode
Later Life
• Bradbury wrote numerous stories incorporaHng horror and science ficHon.
• Bradbury has received most of his recogniHon for Fahrenheit 451 (science ficHon)
• In 1980, a film adaptaHon of The Mar4an Chronicles was created, greatly disappoinHng Bradbury.
• He was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• Ray Bradbury passed away at the age of 91 on June 6, 2012
LasHng Impressions
• Bradbury has an asteroid named aher him 9766 Bradbury
• Was a key player in the 1964 World’s Fair in New York, creaHng the script for the US Pavilion.
• Contributed his knowledge of science to Disney’s Spaceship Earth at EPCOT (WDW) and Orbitron at Disneyland parks in Paris and Anaheim.
• Bradbury discusses his accomplishments: VIDEO
Fahrenheit 451
-‐ There are three main secHons; they all end in fire -‐ Protagonist: Guy Montag, a fireman (he burns books) who loves his job -‐ He eventually changes his mind about burning books due to some events described in the novel -‐ Montag’s boss, Captain Beaay, is suspicious of Montag’s behavior and conHnuously interrogates him -‐ Montag eventually controls his own fate in hopes of a beaer future
Main Characters
Guy Montag (Protagonist) Mildred Montag-‐ Guy’s wife Captain Beaay-‐ Guy’s boss Clarisse-‐ neighbor of Guy and Mildred Mechanical Hound-‐ works with the firemen
Themes
We will discuss themes dealing with -‐ Censorship -‐ Technology -‐ Rebirth