Introduction
To fully understand Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes, you must first know a little about Ray Bradbury himself and the world of the carnival.
This webquest is intended to help you on this journey.
Task
To complete this webquest, you will need to do the ONE of the following tasks.
1. Research the author Ray Bradbury and his works.
2. Research background information on carnivals/sideshows.
Once you have done your research, then write a minimum of 4 paragraphs about your findings in Schoology under the discussion tab.
Process
Ray Bradbury
http://www.raybradbury.com/
Answer the following questions about Ray Bradbury from his website. (WARNING: You may have to dig deep to find the information!)
What genre is Ray Bradbury famous for (eg. romance, history, fantasy, science fiction, etc.)?
When Ray Bradbury’s formal education ended how did he become further educated?
What was Ray Bradbury’s first collection of short stories called?
What was the Martian Chronicles about?
What was considered the author’s masterpiece and what was it about?
What awards has the author received?
What contributions did Bradbury make to Disney?
What has the author quoted as the “great fun in his life”?
What year did Bradbury write “Something Wicked This Way Comes”?
What is the title and year of Bradbury’s latest title?
When and how did Ray Bradbury die?
What are Bradbury’s ideas about shopping malls? (HINT: you will need to look under “Articles & Press/Bradbury Chronicles”.)
How did Bradbury believe he could “improve the human condition”? (HINT: use the “Articles & Press/at 80 Bradbury still fighting for the future).
How does Bradbury respond when an interviewer asks him about whether or not he is still writing science fiction? (HINT: use “Articles & Press/Martian Tourist.)
What invention would Bradbury eliminate if he could? (HINT: use “Articles & Press/Martian Tourist.)
According to one interviewer when did Bradbury’s writing career begin? (HINT: use “Articles/Press – THIS MASTER OF SCI-FI PREFERS THE 'OLD-FASHIONED' WAY.)
What comic strip character did Bradbury like that used space travel? (HINT: use “Articles/Press – THIS MASTER OF SCI-FI PREFERS THE 'OLD-FASHIONED' WAY.
What did the newspaper, Indianapolis Star say of Something Wicked this Way Comes? (HINT: use the books link and click on the title of the book, then click on the quotes link.)
What does the Portland Oregonian say about Something Wicked this Way Comes? (HINT: use the books link and click on the title of the book, then click on the quotes link.)
What changed Bradbury’s life forever when he was 12 years old (what did he see)? (HINT: use the “In His Own Words” link, then click on “previous entry”.)
What was on the bookshelves in Bradbury’s office? (HINT: use the “At Home with Ray” link.)
Why did Bradbury receive a director’s chair? What FAMOUS novel did he write a screenplay for? (HINT: use the “At Home with Ray” link.)
What type of helmet’s were on Bradbury’s hearth (fireplace)? (HINT: use the “At Home with Ray” link.)
What kind of pet did Bradbury love?
Carnivals and Sideshows.
Use the websites below to find information for this paper. Again, you may have to follow some links and dig deeply to get some of the information.
http://www.docsmidwaycookhouse.com/carnival-history/
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1386.html
https://lightblueblog.wordpress.com/article/a-history-of-the-american-traveling-carnival/
Where and when was the World's Columbian Exposition held and what did it celebrate? How did it contribute to the traveling carnival?
How large was the Exposition?
Approximately how many people attended it?
The World's Columbian Exposition posted many first including separating the amusement area from the exhibition halls. What were two attractions that were introduced at the event?
What was the Midway Plaisance, who developed it, and how did the name contribute to the lexicon of the American language?
What was the "nickname" for the Exposition? What reasons are given for it?
How many traveling carnivals were there in the U.S. in 1902? 1905? 1937? How many traveling carnivals are there today?
What is the difference between a fair and carnival?
What is the slang name for games you play at a carnival?
What happened to the buildings of the World's Columbian Exposition?
What kinds of attractions would a person most likely find in a typical American carnival?
What has contributed to the decline of the traveling carnival?
History of Sideshows
https://priceonomics.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-circus-freakshows/
http://www.ptbarnum.org/index2.html
Who was P.T. Barnum and how did he popularize the sideshow?
What sorts of attractions could one find in a sideshow?
Barnum exploited several people with abnormalities. Identify and BRIEFLY discuss two of them.
Sideshows eventually fell out of favor with the American public. Explain the reasons why.
What is the Great Egress?
Sideshow Performers
http://viralpursuit.com/36-most-famous-circus-freaks/
Research the lives of two of the thirty-six most famous sideshow performers of all time. Be sure to include the following information.
1. Name (real and performance)
2. How he/she/it was an oddity.
3. Country of origin.
4. Dates of birth and death.
5. Life outside of the sideshow.
6. Any information that you found personally interesting.
Finally, do a Google Search for the question below.
What Indiana-based carnival claims to be the largest traveling amusement park in the world? Where is it based?
Evaluation
Make sure to post this on Schoology! 4 paragraphs minimum!