Suggested Essay Questions
Select one question to write a fully developed essay on.
1. Discuss how Montag’s changing perception of fire mirrors
his personal development.
2. Name the three parts of Fahrenheit 451 and explain how
they are relevant to their respective content.
3. Trace the steps that lead to Montag’s decision to
preserve books rather than destroy them.
4. Discuss the idea of conformity versus individuality as
presented in Fahrenheit 451.
5. What messages or themes is Ray Bradbury trying to
impart on his audience? What things in society is he
commenting on? Could this type of society really exist?
6. Choose one important character in the novel and write a
character analysis that includes appearance, actions,
ideas, manner, reactions of others to the character, and
feelings of the character through out the novel.
7. Compare and contrast the characters of Mildred Montag
and Clarisse. How is one a threat to the stability of the
ideas presented in the novel and the other an ideal
example of a Fahrenheit 451 character? How have each
of these characters been influenced?
8. Discuss the role of nature in the novel, with specific
references to animals and water.
9. Symbols are very important in Fahrenheit 451. Name
three specific symbols and outline their references and
meanings throughout the novel.
10.In the novel “Fahrenheit 451,” three fundamental forms of
censorship are revealed: social censorship in which special
interest group’s pressure for the censorship, self-censorship
in which individual authors begin censoring themselves to
avoid social censorship, and institutional censorship where
censorship becomes a matter of law. Identify examples of
each within the novel and within our own society and discuss
why Bradbury was so concerned about the subject.
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
This essay must include evidence, quotes, from the novel. Must
be fully thought out, and must be no less than 3 pages long.
Use the STAR method or some other plan for your essay.
Introduction: Name of book, author, brief summary of book ( no
longer than 6-8 sentences) and task, question.