Unit 1 Exam Study Guide
Background to Fahrenheit 451 (F451):
1. Three main concepts (censorship, propaganda, anti-intellectualism) – be able to list, define, and give examples
of each (either from real life or from the novel).
2. When was the novel written? What was the historical climate of the time? (Cold War, “Red Scare”,
“McCarthyism”, popularity of TV).
3. What kind of stories is Ray Bradbury famous for? What are some of his other famous works?
4. Dystopian fiction – what is it?
Literary Terms: Be able to define and give an example of each.
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Theme (be able to tell a theme apart from a topic/subject)
Setting
Elements of Character (protagonist/antagonist, foil, static/dynamic characters)
Irony
Symbolism
Fahrenheit 451:
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Know the plot of the story.
Who is the protagonist? Antagonist(s)? Static/dynamic characters? What are their traits?
What is the setting of the novel?
What might be a theme in the novel?
What might be a symbol in the novel?
What might be ironic in the novel?
“There Will Come Soft Rains”
1. Same as above (plot, setting, themes, irony, symbols, characters)
2. Be able to compare/contrast with F451.
3. How is a novel different from a short story?
“Harrison Bergeron”
1. Same as above (plot, setting, themes, irony, symbols, characters)
2. Be able to compare/contrast with F451.
“Coda” to F451
1. What does the “Coda” have to do with the themes of F451?
2. How is the “Coda” different from the novel? (i.e., nonfiction v. fiction; essay v. novel/short story)
Unit 1 Vocabulary: All words
Grammar: Be prepared to identify phrases vs. dependent/independent clauses.
Study Resources: Your notes from class; F451 background PowerPoint; Sparknotes; vocabulary worksheets; guided
notes (Success Team attendees)