part i: pp - auburn school web viewuse a dictionary to define the word censorship. ... how do...

Fahrenheit 451

FAHRENHEIT 451 is a brilliant, disturbing novel. It is as meaningful today --- perhaps more so --- as it was when it was written in 1950.

-Book Reporter

Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 is arguably the most important and influential book of our time. Written almost 50 years ago, the novel predicts the climax of a chain of events that seems to have already started in our current society. Fahrenheit 451 is not only an exciting novel of rebellion and thought-provoking ideas, but also the warning of a possible future.

-Teen Ink

Fahrenheit 451

Ray Bradbury

The strength of Bradbury's vision leaves this future etched in our minds long after the book is finished. His collection of strange speculations somehow works, probably because he is working so effectively on our fears: crazy teenagers out to drive over helpless pedestrians; a war that no one cares about, but eventually ends our civilization; relationships completely empty of emotion and the systemic stifling of minds. There is deep loneliness in this book, the lonely of heart and the lonely of mind. It becomes unbearably sad, and what replacement for intimacy, for humanity, can the literary gathering at the end ever be?

(cont.)

Bradbury wants to hold out hope, I think, and it's not the literal solution that he trusts in. Everyone should read this book. Not to find out about the Mechanical Hound, or the future and its gadgets, or anything like that. This book doesn't predict the future and it doesn't want to. We find in Bradbury's creation a small part of our own angst, and in turn it creates an outlet for our own unbearable rage. The book is an astonishing masterpiece.

-Challenging Destiny

Name____________________________ Period____

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Fahrenheit 451Introduction

Guy Montag, the unlikely hero of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, is a fireman who starts fires. Learning why he brandishes a flame thrower rather than a fire hose will take you on an exciting trip into the imagination. You will visit a year in the distant future that is as near as tomorrow morning as Bradbury challenges you to think about the implications of a world that makes books the enemy of society.

Answer the following questions. Your responses should demonstrate thoughtful consideration.

1. Would you like to live in a world without books? Why?

2. What might motivate a society to rid itself of some books or even all books?

3. Which is the most meaningful or important book you have ever read? What did you learn from that book that you could not have learned anywhere else?

4. Use a dictionary to define the word censorship.

5. Why would censorship be imposed on a book, movie, types of music, or videogame? List at least 5 reasons.

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Fahrenheit 451Characters

For each character, list physical description and other information. What do you think each person symbolizes in the story?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - major characters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Guy Montag—

Symbol:

Mildred Montag—

Symbol:

Captain Beatty—

Symbol:

Professor Faber—

Symbol:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - minor characters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Clarisse McClellan—

Symbol:

Granger—

Symbol:

Mrs. Phelps—

Symbol:

Mrs. Bowles—

Symbol:

Stoneman and Black—

Symbol: 3

Fahrenheit 451Part I: pp. 3-24

PRE-READINGThis section of the novel is entitled “The Hearth and the Salamander,” and the fireman’s insignia displays two mythological creatures: salamander and phoenix. Using a dictionary, copy down the definitions of these words. Remember to pick the definition that seems to fit with the context of this novel.

Hearth- _______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Salamander- ___________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Phoenix- ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

DURING READINGPreview these questions before reading. As you read, write your responses after each one.

1. What do you learn about Montag as a person from the opening scenes?

2. What kind of person is Clarisse McClellan?

How is she different from Montag and Mildred?

3. Copy down five words or phrases that describe the setting in Montag’s home:

What is his home compared to? Why?

4. Why does Mildred need to have her stomach pumped?

How does she feel the morning after?

What do these events tell you about Mildred and her world?

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5. How are the handymen from the hospital similar or different from today’s health care workers?

According to these men suicides are fairly common. What could be the reason for this?

PERSONAL RESPONSEClarisse asks Montag, “Are you happy?” Montag comes to the conclusion that he is not really happy. What is it that makes him unhappy? How could he find happiness?

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Fahrenheit 451IMPORTANT CHARACTERS

Choose one character: Guy Montag, Clarisse McClellan or Mildred Montag. List information next to each point. You should have 3-5 details under each category.

Character________________________

Physical Descriptions Actions/Behaviors

What s/he says, include page # What others say about her/him

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Fahrenheit 451

Part I: pp. 24-48

DURING READINGPreview the following questions before reading pages 24-48. As you read, write your responses after each one.

1. What is the purpose of the Mechanical Hound?

Why does Montag seem to fear the Hound?

2. According to Clarisse, what do ordinary teenagers do for excitement?

What do these amusements tell you about Montag’s society?

3. Why does the burning of the old woman’s books disturb Montag?

4. Copy down the quotation the old woman recited here:

Why did she quote Latimer?

5. What do the names Stoneman and Black tell us about them?

6. Why does Montag cry in bed?

What important questions does he ask Mildred in the morning?

7. What startling news did Mildred reveal?

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1. What changes in society does Captain Beatty point to to explain the “dumbing down” of culture?

2. According to Beatty, where did the push to repress books come from?

3. What is your reaction to Beatty’s statement that everyone must be alike—not born free and equal but made equal?

4. What explanation does Beatty give to justify the burning and destruction of book that are unpopular with one or more segments of society?

5. After Beatty leaves, what is Montag’s reaction to his speech?

6. What is Montag looking for in the books?

7. What one statement on pages 49—68 do you think is most important?

PERSONAL RESPONSEMontag tells Mildred, “We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in awhile” (p. 52). Why does Montag feel this way?

Do you agree with him or not?

Why?

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Fahrenheit 451

End of Part One

In what ways is our society today similar to the society Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451? Different?

Similar Different

Do you think we could end up in a society like Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451? Why or why not?

9

Fahrenheit 451Part II: pp. 71-93


1. What do you think the title of Part Two means?

2. What answers does Montag give to Mildred’s question, “Why should I read? What for?”

3. What did Faber mean when he said in the park, “I talk the meaning of things”?

Why do you think Montag didn’t turn in Faber then?

4. How do Mildred’s comments and actions show she’s never going to understand what Montag is trying to tell her?

5. What is the significance of the “Denham’s Dentrifice” commercial that keeps interfering with Montag’s reading of the Bible?

6. What three things does Faber say are missing from a world without books?

7. Does Faber think the firemen are the only problem?

Will making them look like traitors make everything else okay?

8. Faber says Beatty “may be one of us.” Do you think it’s possible?

Give reasons for your opinion.

10

Fahrenheit 451Part II: pp. 93-110


1. Describe the TV program the ladies watched.

Does it remind you of anything in our world?

2. On pages 95-96, what “fire images” describe the ladies? List at least three.

3. Why did Bradbury choose to have the women discuss war, children, and politics?

4. Why did Faber tell Montag to stop reading and shouting?

5. What does Montag do to Mildred’s friends?

How do these friends react?Mrs. Phelps—>Mrs. Bowles—>

6. When Montag arrives at the firehouse, how does Beatty attack and argue with Montag?

What is Montag’s reaction?

7. Where does Montag go on the next fire call? Why?

PERSONAL REACTIONReread Beatty’s speech about his dream. Choose the quote you feel would have the most impact on Montag and tell why.

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Fahrenheit 451End of Part II

1. Discuss the symbolic meaning of characters such as Mildred, Montag, Clarisse, Beatty and Faber. Who are you more like? In this high school, which character is the majority? In our society, which character is the majority?

2. In what ways is our society today similar to the society Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451? Different?

Similar Different

12

Fahrenheit 451

Part III: pp. 113-136


1. To what mythical character did Beatty compare Montag?

2. Of what “dreadful surprise” did Montag suddenly become aware?

3. What old feeling came back to Montag as he burned his own house?

Why?

4. What did Montag mean by “We never burned right…”?

What kind of burning might be considered “right”?

5. What happened to Beatty?

Why did Bradbury decide to have that happen to him?

6. How does Montag’s injured leg help to symbolize his state of mind as he hobbles away?

7. Why is it appropriate that war is finally declared at this point in the novel?

8. As Montag looked down the boulevard, what was suddenly made clear to him?

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Fahrenheit 451


9. Describe what Faber was feeling and thinking when he said, “I feel alive for the first time in years.”

10. What advice did Faber give Montag before he left Faber’s house?

PERSONAL REACTIONBeatty told Montag, “For everyone nowadays knows, absolutely is certain, that nothing will ever happen to me.” Describe examples of this kind of thinking from your own experience.

Why is this a dangerous way to think?

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Fahrenheit 451



1. What metaphor does Bradbury use to describe the helicopters?

2. What is especially ironic about the search for Montag?

3. Why is it appropriate that water carried Montag away from the city?

4. Which of Montag’s senses came alive on the land?

Why is this important?

5. How is the fire in the woods different from the fires Montag is used to?

6. What was “the special silence that was concerned with all the world”?

7. Why is “He screamed. He screamed. He screamed!” so significant?

8. Granger welcomes Montag to the group and asks him what he has to offer. What is Montag’s reply? Why is he worried?

9. Outline the general plan of the “book people.”

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Fahrenheit 451Part III: pp. 154-165


1. What had Montag expected to find in the men’s faces?

2. Of what one thing were the men most sure?

3. Why did Granger tell Montag the story about his grandfather?

4. What incredible thing did the men see from the woods?

What thoughts went through Montag’s mind as he witnessed this?

5. Describe how the legend of the phoenix is related to the story.

6. Explain why Granger wanted to build a mirror factory first.

7. Why did Granger want Montag to lead them back to the city?

How does Granger view Montag?

8. Name the verse Montag was saving for their arrival in the city. Why?

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Fahrenheit 451Problems in F451 Example(s) from the Novel Today’s Society

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part i: pp - auburn school web viewuse a dictionary to define the word censorship. ... how do...

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