Fahrenheit 451
By: Ray Bradbury
Group Analysis Project
Ms. Shakespeare’s English I
Fall 2010
Fahrenheit Reminders
• Ray Bradbury- began writing book in 1950,
published in 1953. This futuristic novel
portrays America post-1990 as an antiintellectual chaotic society.
• Though society seems to have evolved, are the
citizens more free or more enslaved?
• We read this story in a more technologically
advanced society, do you see similarities
between their society and ours?
Assignment
You will be creating group PowerPoint
presentations about Fahrenheit 451 to be
presented to the class. This project will take 3
class periods (2 in the computer lab, 1 in
class). Groups of 3-4 students will be
assigned to you. The slideshow will be your
group’s interpretation of the story and its
major points, including the impact it had on
society.
Rubric
50 Points Possible
6-8 Slides
5 Points
Interpretation and implications of the story: 20 Points
must include general summary,
interpretation of major points, societal
impact of story, personal reflection
At least 5 quotes from book as support
10 Points
Symbol analysis: must interpret the
10 Points
meaning of at least 3 symbols in the story.
See handout for list of symbols.
Use of color, graphics, slide transitions
5 Points
General Summary
You need to give an overview of the major
points in the story, making sure to include
anything that you may want to reflect on
later in your presentation. For example, if
you think Montag meeting Clarisse was
significant in the story, make sure to
explain how they meet and how she leaves the
story.
Example Summary
Guy Montag is a fireman who burns books in a futuristic
American city. In Montag’s world, firemen start fires rather
than putting them out. The people in this society do not read
books, enjoy nature, spend time by themselves, think
independently, or have meaningful conversations.
Montag encounters a gentle seventeen-year-old girl named
Clarisse McClellan, who opens his eyes to the emptiness of his
life with her innocently penetrating questions and her unusual
love of people and nature.
Fire chief Beatty explains that it’s normal for a fireman to go
through a phase of wondering what books have to offer, and he
delivers a dizzying monologue explaining how books came to be
banned in the first place.
Summary Continued…
Montag remembers that he once met a retired English professor
named Faber sitting in a park, and he decides that this man
might be able to help him understand what he reads.
Faber agrees to help Montag with his reading, and they concoct a
risky scheme to overthrow the status quo. Beatty forces Montag to
burn his own house himself; when he is done, Beatty places him
under arrest. Montag knocks the other firemen unconscious and
runs.
Summary Continued…
Montag manages to escape in the river and change into Faber’s
clothes to disguise his scent. He drifts downstream into the
country and follows a set of abandoned railroad tracks until he
finds a group of renegade intellectuals.
They are a part of a nationwide network of book lovers who have
memorized many great works of literature and philosophy.
Enemy jets appear in the sky and completely obliterate the city
with bombs. Montag and his new friends move on to search for
survivors and rebuild civilization.
Interpretation of Story’s Major Points
Fahrenheit 451 had many controversial
topics, the most obvious being the burning of
books. Collaborate with your group members
to discuss what you think Bradbury was
trying to express to his readers. Be sure to
pay attention to the use of technology in the
story and its impact on the characters.
Example of Interpretation
• Bradbury was trying to warn Americans of the
dangers of becoming too technologically dependent.
For example, if students relied on calculators in
math classes, would they ever really learn division?
• He also wanted to express concern over people who
believe everything the government and authorities
tell communities. It is important to think critically
of information that is portrayed to you and develop
your own opinions.
Societal Impact
• Knowing that this book is often censored or
banned, what do you think society’s (or the
authorities’) response was to the material covered in
Fahrenheit 451?
• Did any of Bradbury’s suggestions from the
1950’s impact the future of technology?
• Considering Clarisse and Faber’s intelligence and
views in the novel, are there any implications for
young people or English teachers?
Example of Societal Impact
• While firemen do not start fires today, as
Bradbury predicted sardonically in
Fahrenheit 451, technology has evolved to an
incredible level. Many question society’s
dependence on technology today.
• Bradbury put a fear into his readers by
suggesting that the government would rule
society’s thoughts by 1990.
Personal Reflection
• As a group, determine whether Bradbury’s
ideas have influenced the way you perceive
reading and intelligence in our technological
society.
• Be sure to include examples to back your
points.
Example of Reflection
• Bradbury has caused me to be more critical of
information given to me about what is “right or
wrong.” For example, when the news comes out with
a new study every day that tells me which foods or
activities of mine may cause cancer.
• I also value reading and the written word as a
product of reading this book. It may be a dying art.
For example, many people read the newspaper online
instead of having it delivered to their door.
Quotes as Support
• Be sure to include quotes within your slides to support your
interpretations, implications, reflections and metaphor
analyses.
• For example, in explaining fire as a metaphor, I might use:
Beatty, explaining the need to cremate the dead to make the
living loose their memory: "Forget them. Burn all, burn
everything. Fire is bright and fire is clean."
Symbol Analysis
• You need to choose at least 3 of the symbols
from this book to analyze their meaning.
• Tell what the symbol is: what represents some
other idea or thing
• Explain the meaning of representing it that
way.
Symbols to Choose From
•
•
•
•
•
•
Salamander: The fireman insignia
Seashells: Ear radios people listen to
Fire: Burning books and houses
Montag: This is actually the name of a paper company
Faber: This is the name of a pencil manufacturing company
Parlor Family/Television: Artificial family watched for
entertainment
• Beatty: Mastermind behind censorship
• Mechanical Hound: Computerized animal used to punish government
enemies
Example of Symbol
Parlor family/television: This artificial family
embodies the quality that the government seeks
most to promote in its people: superficiality. The
parlor family knows nothing of reality, but
instead is focused on temporal pleasures. Like the
seashells, the televised family serves as a
distraction and a mindless way to occupy man's
mind.
Example of Symbol
Salamander: The Salamander insignia represents the
firemen of Bradbury's brave new world. Bradbury
uses the Salamander to exemplify the decrepit
nature of the government. This society, like a
salamander, has sunk into the depths of depravity,
and now, though seemingly modern, is really more
primitive than ever.
Presentation Guidelines
• Each group member must narrate at least one slide
of the presentation.
• The slideshows will be presented in class: this
means no talking while your classmates are
presenting!
• There will be a group assessment after presentations
where you will grade your group members and they
will grade you. I will be the only one who sees this,
but it DOES impact your final grade.
Due Date and Video
• This project is due October 15 at the beginning of
class. We will begin presentations then.
• Video of Ray Bradbury talking about the
motivation behind Fahrenheit 451:
Ray Bradbury on Fahrenheit 451
• Good luck!