Allusion Project: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
GOAL: to recognize the importance of allusions in literary works.
ASSIGNMENT: You will research the different writers, historical figures, and elements that are mentioned in
Fahrenheit 451 and/or whose famous remarks are quoted in the novel.
PROCEDURE:
1. Allusion is a brief reference within a literary work, such as a famous person, event, fictional character, or
quotation. Fahrenheit 451, from the opening epigraph by Juan Ramon Jimenez to the final quotation at the
end of the novel, is filled with allusions to famous historical, mythological, or literary figures and their
works.
2. You and a partner will be assigned an allusion from the novel that you must research. You will need to bring
a hard copy of your assignment to class to share.
What should be on the page you create?
A. The allusion itself
B. Labeled as the type of allusion (literary, mythical, historical, biblical)
C. Page number and text where Bradbury used the allusion in Fahrenheit 451
C. Discussion of the original text – what about the original text should we know to understand
Bradbury’s Allusion (This could include a summary, character description, facts, etc)
D. Explain the allusion: why this allusion is important and relevant in Fahrenheit 451
E. A visual
ALLUSIONS
Part One “The Hearth and the Salamander”
1. This great python
2. Phoenix
3. Clarisse (the meaning of her name)
4. Tower of Babel
Part Two “The Sieve and the Sand”
1. We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there
is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindness there is at last one which makes the
heart run over.
2. That favourite subject. Myself.
3. Half out of the cave
4. Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold
5. The sheep returns to the fold. We’re all sheep who have strayed at times
6. A little learning is a dangerous thing. Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring; There shallow draughts
intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again.
7. Knowledge is power
Part Three “Burning Bright”
1. Burning Bright
2. Icarus (Montag wanted to fly near the sun and now that he’s burnt his damn wings, he wonders why)
“This great python”
BIBLICAL ALLUSION
Passage from Fahrenheit 451
“Find the quotation from the novel and type the lines out
here. Be sure that you are using MLA format in citing
the quotation” (Bradbury 3).
Original Text Explanation
In this space discuss the original text (the part that relates to Fahrenheit 451). In other words, if only
part of the original text matters in the connection to Fahrenheit 451, only discuss that part here. Be
clear in your explanation! You will need to do some outside reading in order to understand many of the
allusions. Be sure to cite your source(s) with an in-text citation (MLA format).
Allusion
In this space explain how the allusion relates to Fahrenheit 451. Bradbury intentionally chose these particular
allusions. In a well developed paragraph explain his purpose. Think about the plot of the novel. Think about the
characters in the novel. Think about the relationship between characters in the novel. Then, explain the
connection between the allusion and the novel in a well-developed paragraph. You will need to do some outside
reading in order to understand many of the allusions. Be sure to cite your source(s) with an in-text citation
(MLA format).
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