Fahrenheit 451
Part 3: Burning Bright
Pages 107-158
Discussion Questions
1.
What does Beatty mean when he says to Montag, “Old Montag wanted to fly near the sun and now that he’s burnt his…wings, he wonders why”? (p. 107)
2.
What is the significance of the fact that Montag burns his bedroom first? How does burning his own house bring Montag a degree of satisfaction? (p. 110)
3.
Of what is Montag still afraid after he kills Beatty and subdues the other two firemen? How does he rid himself of this final threat? (p. 114)
4.
Do you agree with Montag that Beatty wanted to die? (answers will vary, reread p. 87, 113, 116).
5.
How does Montag relate to nature once he is thrust into it? (p.
133)
6.
Why is Montag mesmerized by the conversation he overhears as he hides in the woods observing the hobos around the fires? (p.
140) How does this connect back to Clarisse? (p. 28)

7.
Explain the hobo’s reasoning for memorizing famous works rather than carrying actual copies. (p. 145)
8.
Describe the many “deaths” of Mildred. Why do you think
Montag feels conflicted about Mildred at different times in the novel? (p. 152)