WSCA English 9 CP
Greene
Fahrenheit 451 Discussion Questions
The Hearth and the Salamander (sections 1-2)
You will be assigned a letter in class. Look for the section below with your corresponding letter
and answer each question in that section thoughtfully and thoroughly. Be sure to show
engagement with the question and the text. Write your answers in your English Notebook (keep a
section in the back solely devoted to Study Guides and Discussion Questions). Be sure to leave
some space after each answer in order to add notes during class discussion.
Section 1
pp. 3-24
A.
1. Montag compares the burning pages of a book to “flapping pigeon wings.” As a matter of
fact, he uses a lot of bird imagery when talking about books throughout the novel. What might be
the symbolic meaning of birds/flying/wings?
2. Explain how Bradbury has inverted the usual meaning of the word “antisocial” when it comes
to Clarisse. What do we usually think of when someone is “antisocial”? How is Clarisse
“antisocial” in this society?
3. How does the imagery associated with Clarisse differ from the imagery associated with
Mildred? What contrast is Bradbury accomplishing by including such imagery for each?
B.
4. Bradbury has stated that a part of him is represented by Clarisse. What do you think he means?
5. Why does the fire department use the phoenix and salamander as symbols? How are those
creatures symbolically related to fire? You may have to do some brief research to answer this
question.
6. Mildred depends on the TV “family,” her “seashell radio,” and the sleeping tablets. Why?
What purpose do all of those items serve for her? What is Bradbury indicating about this society
by having her need them?
C.
7. The “handymen” who work on Mildred say that they get many calls of this nature every
night. What is Bradbury trying to say about this society by including that information?
8. Mildred denies taking all of her sleeping pills. What might that indicate about her? In what
way is her denial related to Montag’s initial beliefs that he was happy, was in love, and that it
was a “pleasure to burn”? What is Bradbury indicating about the people of this society?
Section 2
pp. 24-48
A.
1. Why has Bradbury included the reading of the history and rules of the fire department?
What is he indicating about the society of this book? Hint: What the real history and purpose of
the fire department in American society?
2. What role does the Mechanical Hound play? Why does Bradbury include it?
B.
3. How do the conversations Montag has with Clarisse differ from those he has with Mildred?
Be specific. What is Bradbury telling us about this society through these two characters?
4. Bradbury uses a literary device known as meiosis (understatement for rhetorical effect) in
calling the alarm at the old woman’s house “inconvenient.” Explain why the use of that
word represents meiosis.
C.
5. What is the quote the woman recites before she dies? How is that quote appropriate for the
way she’s dying? (You may have to do a little research). Why does Bradbury include her in
this story?
6. What are the reasons that Beatty gives the old woman for the burning of books? Be specific.
Why does Bradbury have Beatty tell her these things? What does he accomplish by doing so?