The Hearth and the Salamander

Discussion Questions

When the novel opens, what time of year is it? What associations can you make with this season? Predict why the novel is set in this season.

It is early fall. Fall is associated with change: leaves change color and weather changes. One might predict that characters and/or life as they know it are about to change.

What is rarer than being a pedestrian? Clarisse’s uncle is arrested for being a pedestrian. What is his crime?

Talking and sharing thoughts with others is rarer than being a pedestrian. Her uncle had been walking alone enjoying nature and participating in life.

Explain the contradiction in the following lines: “The room was not empty,” and “the room was indeed empty.”

Though Mildred is physically in the room, her mind is not. She has escaped reality with sleeping pills and tranquilizers, interactive TV, and destructive, mindless activities.

What causes Montag to realize that he is not happy? Why is he unable to hide it any longer?

Clarisse introduces the concept of self-reflection to Montag. Until she questions him, he just exists. He does not question how or why he exists. Now life has new meaning, and he wants to figure it out. Life as it was is no longer possible because he is aware.

How do teens in Fahrenheit 451 differ from teens in your community? How are they the same?

The teenagers in the novel have gone mad. They rebel against the social pressures to conform by acting irresponsibly, participating in destructive activities, and hurting each other. Some teens today share some of the same characteristics described in the novel. They bully others, watch and play violent video games, and sometimes participate in dangerous activities.

“The voice clock mourned out the cold hour of the cold morning of a still colder year.” What effect does the repetition have on the quoted passage?

The repetition of the word “cold” reminds the reader of images of Montag’s and Mildred’s bedroom, of their sterile relationship, and of the lack of intimacy and friendship among other characters. The quote comes shortly after Montag realizes that Clarisses, who is always described as warm, is gone. Life for him is now lonely and depressing as he “mourns” for Clarisse and war looms.

Discuss passages that suggest Montag thinks for himself now that Clarisse is gone.

Montag begins to ask questions to himself and others. He asks himself, “Were all firemen picked for their looks as well as their proclivities?” He asks Beatty and the firemen, “About the man whose library we fixed. What happened to him?” “Was it always like this? The firehouse, our work?”