Theme
What is the meaning of a "cautionary tale"?
A cautionary tale is a story, experience or situation that is a warning to others
The literary device that encapsules elements of the house as having "human-like" qualities
Personification
When was this story originally published?
In 1950
In the aftermath of a nuclear war, there is a lone "smart" house in August 2026. What part of the plot does this represent?
The Exposition
What does the House say should happen at 7 o'clock?
At 7 o'clock it's time to get up
What theme is shown via
the shutting out of the animals (from the house), the falling branch, and the death of the dog?
Theme: the destruction of nature
The Wall at the end of the story demonstrates this literary device:
Metaphor or Symbolism
What was the period of (mostly) non-military conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union known as?
The Cold War
One wall is left standing and what's left of the A.I. keeps repeating "Today is Aug 5, 2026...". What part of the plot does this represent?
The Resolution
What day was Mr. Featherstone born on?
Mr Featherstone was born on August 4th
"The house was an altar...but the gods had gone away" - Who are the 'gods' this line refers to?
Specifically: the family; In general: Humanity
The House announces Mr Featherstone's birthday. What literary device does his name exemplify?
An Oxymoron
Name the two cities that suffered atomic bombings near the end of WWII
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
"The crash. The attic smashing into the kitchen (...) Smoke and silence." What part of the plot does this section represent?
The Climax
What time fills in the blanks?
"______, tick-tock, ______ o'clock,
off to school, off to work, run, run, ______,"
Eight-one / (8:01)
What theme is exemplified by "...the ruined city gave off a radioactive glow which could be seen for miles."?
War / Destruction / Consequences / Human stupidity
The lit device that describes the connection of the title of the story to the poem it shares a name with is...
Allusion
What did J. Robert Oppenheimer say went through his mind when he saw the 1st test of an atomic bomb?
He said he remembered a line from Hindu scripture:
"Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds."
How does the fire start? (Explain what happened)
The wind blew a branch through the kitchen window. It knocked cleaning solvent onto the stove.
What time was it when the dog showed up on the front porch?
It was twelve noon.
What is Bradbury actually communicating when he describes "the house shuddered, oak bone on bone, its bared skeleton cringing from the heat..." ?
The death/pain of the people who died in the nuclear blast.
“Deep freeze, armchair, film tapes, circuits, beds, and all like skeletons thrown in a cluttered mound deep under.”
What does this simile communicate is going on?
That the contents of the house are being buried
Who wrote the poem “There Will Come Soft Rains”?
Sara Teasdale
What part of the plot is the "conflict" between the House and the Fire?
The Rising Action
What time was it when the House began to die? (You must also indicate if it was day or night?)
It was 10 o'clock at night