Study Guide: Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury)
“Where one burns books, one will soon burn people.” Heinrich Heine
Introduction: In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury plays soothsayer, warning of a future populated by non-readers, non-thinkers,
and an entire culture no sense of history or belonging. At the same time, Bradbury salutes those who dedicate their lives to the
preservation and passing on of knowledge and testifies to the passionate courage of the rebel with a cause.
I. Background Research:
A. Author & Novel:
1. What are Bradbury’s birth and death dates (years only)?
2. When was Fahrenheit 451 first published?
3. What is the subject of Fahrenheit 451? In other words, what story does it tell?
B. Folklore & Firemen
1. What is the folklore about the salamander and fire?
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Salamandra_salamandra.html
2. What is the legend of the phoenix?
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/phoenix.html
3. What is the history of firemen in America?
http://www.marinwoodfire.org/content/Firefighting%20History/100096
II. Pre-Reading Activities:
1. Journal Activity: Fahrenheit 451 is a novel set in, perhaps, the very near future, in which
“firemen” burn books forbidden by a government that attempts to destroy knowledge by “silencing”
ideas in print. In your NB ponder the following:
If civilization (not life) as we know it were about to end and you could save only one book,
which book would you preserve for future generations? What saving qualities (THREE
reasons required) does your choice have that merit its being placed on the “To Be Saved At All
Costs” list?
2.
Close Reading/Prose Analysis Activity: “Declaration of Independence” (preamble).
3.
Historical Connection/Poetry Analysis: “More Light! More Light” by Anthony Hecht
Audio Introduction and Reading at http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/179058
III. Reading Activities (Complete ALL in NB):
The Hearth and The Salamander
A. Questions:
1. With what event does the novel begin? How does Montag feel about his job?
2. In what season does the novel begin?
3. Describe a fireman’s uniform. Why are these chosen symbols appropriate (Hint: mythology of each)?
4. Who is Clarisse McClellan (give details, both physical and emotional)?
5. According to Clarisse, what are some of the things people in the future do/have to keep them from thinking?
6. What “thinking” question does she ask Montag? How does he react?
7. Describe Montag’s home and his wife, Mildred (Millie).
8. What is the center of Millie’s day/life? What seems to be her greatest desire?
9. What is a seashell? What are some modern day equivalents?
10. When Montag arrives home, in what condition does he find Mildred? Describe how she is revived.
11. What affect does this experience have on Montag? (Hint: disposable).
12. When Millie awakes, what does she think happened to her?
13. What does she want Montag to buy for their home? What does this say (again) about what she values?
14. During their conversation, what question of Clarisse’s puts Montag on the defensive?
15. Why did Montag become a fireman?
16. What does Montag do “just for a few moments” after Clarisse leaves for her appointment?
17. Describe two amusements practiced by the men of the firehouse. Why does Montag fear the mechanical hound?
18. What comment does Montag make about the Mechanical Hound’s limited range of “knowing”?
19. According to Clarisse, what is a typical school day like in the future? What are some extracurricular activities? What is life
like in general? What do people in the value? What is the focus of their lives?
20. Describe the history of firefighters and the way in which history has been twisted? What are the five rules?
21. Describe the events during the burning of the three-story house and its owner? What does the owner say (Hint: a quote)?
What is Beatty’s role? What is Montag’s role? Historical Help: http://elvis.rowan.edu/~kilroy/jek/10/16.html
22. During the confusion, what does Montag do? To what does he compare the books? How does he justify his actions (Hint:
who did it?)?
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23. What information does Mildred reveal about Clarisse? What (again) does this show about Millie and what society does/does
not value? How would you characterize their relationship/marriage?
24. During his conversation with Millie, what does Montag begin to realize about books and the people who wrote them?
25. What is Captain Beatty’s justification/argument for burning books (Careful: it’s lengthy; get it all.)? What truth (if any) is
there in his explanation?
26. Why are there no longer front porches on homes?
27. What is Millie’s reaction to Montag’s confession? What does Millie suggest that he do instead to relieve stress?
28. Why does Montag steal books? What are his reasons? Are those reasons rational?
B. In-Class Activity 1:
1. Author/Book Scavenger Hunt: Solo or with a small group (2-3 max), revisit this section and record ANY AND ALL
authors and/or books that the firemen burn or have burned because such notions are considered mad, bad, and
dangerous to know in the future. Must list at least five (5).
2. Bonus: From what novel is this sentence taken?
“It is computed that eleven thousand persons have at several times suffered death rather than submit to break their
eggs at the smaller end.”
C. In-Class Activity 2: Part One Literary Terms (solo/group)
1. Allusion:
Among his many accomplishments, Benjamin Franklin was a printer and a writer who helped to set up America’s
first public library. Why is the information about Franklin in the firemen’s rule book ironic or contradictory? What
does the allusion to Franklin emphasize about Montag’s society?
2. Foils: Give an example of two characters that contrast one another.
3. Foreshadowing: Give an example of hints about what will happen to Montag.
4. Irony: Give an example from this section.
5. Juxtaposition: Give an example of two scenes that oppose each other.
6. Mood: What is the mood that hangs over the society? Why is Montag’s home called a “mausoleum”?
7. Point of View: From whose point of view does Bradbury choose to narrate the story?
8. Similes/Metaphors: Find similes and metaphors that describe Clarisse’s meeting with Montag. What is unusual about
her home?
9. Symbols:
All images that Clarisse mentions to Montag, a rose garden, cows, dew on the grass, and the “man” in the moon
represent what?
How are the symbols of the salamander on the arm and a phoenix on the chest of Montag appropriate?
D. In-Class Activity 3: Passage Analysis/Close Reading Practice (Handout)
The Sieve and the Sand
A. Questions:
1. What does Montag hear at the door as he reads his stolen books?
2. What is Mildred’s opinion of books? According to Montag, what might books offer humankind?
3. According to Montag, what has happened since 1990?
4. According to Montag, what is wrong with the world? What could help and how?
5. Who is Faber? What kind of a man is he?
6. On the subway, Montag recalls what childhood memory? How does that relate to what is happening to him (Hint: what is
empty in Montag?)?
7. As the Denham’s Dentifice commercial plays over and over, what happens to Montag? Why does he react this way?
8. Describe Faber’s house.
9. What does Montag mean by, “My wife is dying.”?
10. What does Faber call Montag? How could this be the cause of his current confusion?
11. What is Faber’s three-point definition of what is missing in his and Montag’s society, in which he defends the importance of
books (Careful: it’s lengthy; get it all.)?
12. Why does Montag need Faber?
13. Because of his admitted cowardice, what has Faber designed? What does it do?
14. What does Montag know he must learn to do for himself?
15. What book does Faber begin to read to Montag? What is the significance of this (Hint: research
what happens in the story of Job)?
16. Back at his home, whom has Millie invited over for the evening?
17. What are Millie’s guest’s opinions on children? Politics?
18. During Millie’s get-together, what does Montag do? What is Faber’s reaction? How does Millie
explain her husband’s behavior?
19. What poem does Montag read? What are the guests’ reactions? Millie’s reaction? Faber’s reaction?
20. What does Montag do with his stolen books?
21. Over about one week’s time, what has Montag accomplished? Who has helped? How does Montag feel about what he has
done?
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22. At the firehouse, how does Captain Beatty “scare [Montag] silly”? Considering his career choice and rank, what is odd about
this approach?
23. Where is the site of the alarm-report?
24. Who do you think is responsible for causing the alarm?
B. In-Class Activity 1 (solo/group):
Author/Book Scavenger Hunt: Revisit this section and record ANY AND ALL authors and/or books that the
firemen burn or have burned because such notions are considered mad, bad, and dangerous to know in the future.
Must list at least five (5).
C. In-Class Activity 2: Part Two Literary Terms (solo/group)
1. Allusion
Greek legend of Hercules and Antaeus. How is this legend related to the story?
Praetorian Guard Explain this allusion.
2. Explain the image of “the sieve and the sand” in Montag’s battle with his society?
3. Figure of Speech: What does Faber mean by “tyranny of the majority”?
4. Imagery: How does Faber’s image of the “pores” suggest the reason that his society fears books?
5. Irony: What is ironic about Beatty’s character?
6. Symbol: What does fire symbolize?
7. Theme: What is the theme that Faber states?
D. In-Class Activity 3: Poetry Analysis “Dover Beach” and Identifying Literary Devices (Handout/Web)
Burning Bright
A. Questions:
1. Who does Beatty blame for instigating Montag’s misfortunes? What symbols are associated with this person? Of what type of
person do they remind you (Hint: think Woodstock)?
2. What is Mildred’s reaction to the alarm?
3. According to Beatty, why is fire “so lovely”?
4. What does Beatty want Montag to do and with what?
5. How does Montag describe the books as they burn?
6. Who is responsible for the alarm?
7. According to Beatty, what do books cause people to become?
8. In anger, what does Beatty do to Montag? How does Montag react? What does Beatty discover?
9. In a moment of sheer panic or courage, what does Montag do to Beatty? Does Beatty invite this reaction (in other words, does
he want it to happen?)?
10. How does Montag escape the mechanical hound?
11. How do Beatty’s words come back to haunt him—“[D]on’t face a problem, burn it.”?
12. At this point, what is Montag willing and ready to do?
13. Of what about Beatty is Montag convinced? Do you agree? How does Montag react to what he has done?
14. What is the subject of the police alert? What are the crimes? What has Montag become?
15. What has been declared in the city? Why? (Hint: think about it carefully in light of what has just happened)
16. What does Montag do to destroy the “evidence” and to divert attention away from himself?
17. Once at Faber’s house, where does Faber tell Montag to go? Why? Where will they eventually meet up with each other?
18. What advice does Faber give Montag about how to cover up one’s trail?
19. How does Montag escape from the second mechanical hound?
20. As he floats, what does Montag decide about what must burn and not burn?
21. While alone with his thought in the night, about what two people does Montag think? Which one of the two would appreciate
where he is and what he has done? Why?
22. How does the government “cover up” Montag’s illegal actions? To where does Montag escape?
23. Who is Granger and to whom does he introduce Montag? What is each person’s specific purpose?
24. According to Granger, what does this network of “outlaws” believe is their larger purpose?
25. According to Granger, what is the “wonderful thing about [hu]man[kind]”?
26. What are Montag’s reactions to the news about Millie? Is his reaction hard-hearted or understandable? Explain.
27. What is waged and over in mere moments? Why?
28. What two books or parts of what two books does Montag remember? How do the stories within these two books relate to
what is happening to Montag? (Hint: what are the subjects of these two books?)
29. What does the city now look like? To what does Granger compare the city? What is the connection?
30. According to Granger, whom will they meet in the future? What will they say to these people? What is the “grand plan” for
the future?
31. Because of his choices, what has Montag become? What is his role in this new group?
32. As he walks, what words does he savor for later discussion (in italics)? From what book do these words come? How do they
relate to what is happening to Montag and his world?
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B. In-Class Activity 1:
Author/Book Scavenger Hunt: Revisit this section and record ANY AND ALL authors and/or books that the
firemen burn or have burned because such notions are considered mad, bad, and dangerous to know in the future.
Must list at least five (5).
C. In-Class Activity 2: Part Two Literary Terms (solo/group)
1. Antagonist: Who is it?
2. Dramatic Irony: Give an example.
3. External conflict: What is an external conflict that Montag faces?
4. Internal conflict: Explain Montag’s internal conflict?
5. Mood: Granger makes an allusion to the Dark Ages, a term used to describe western Europe following the fall of ancient
Rome, a period during which knowledge of classical times was lost to most Europeans and preserved, for the most part,
in a handful of monasteries. Why is Granger’s allusion appropriate?
6. Mood: Describe the mood at the end of the novel.
7. Protagonist: Who is it?
8. Pun: Explain the pun that Granger’s grandfather made when he said, “I hate a Roman named Status Quo.”
9. Situational Irony: Give an example.
10. Tone: What is Bradbury’s overall tone of the novel? Choose three Pre-AP worthy adjectives.
D. In-Class Activity 3: Passage Analysis (Close Reading Practice), Opening and Closing Scenes
IV. Discussion Questions (Answer all in NB):
1. On the armband of the future firemen’s uniform is a salamander and on the chest, a phoenix. Knowing the mythic
connections of each creature to fire, how are both symbols appropriate choices for the future firemen and for the enlightening
message within Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451? What is significant about the number 451? What is its connection to the novel?
2. Explain the significance of each of the three section titles of the book and how the meaning of each reflects the general action
that occurs within each part.
3. Montag can be described as being on a journey in Fahrenheit 451. Explain where the journey takes him in body and mind.
What do you consider to be the five “major” milestones" that Montag passed on his journey?
4. What does fire symbolize or represent for Beatty? What does it represent for Faber? What does Faber mean when he says that
he and Montag will make the salamander devour its own tail? Does this happen? What does fire represent for Montag?
5. Describe the role of the media --newspapers, television, radio--in Montag’s society. How much did people depend on
newspapers for information? What types of television programs are described? What role did media play in the presidential
elections? In Montag’s escape?
6. How does the Mechanical Hound typify or symbolize the society in which Montag lived? Give at least three examples are your
answer.
7. Considering the horrific acts of terrorism and senseless violence in the world today and the not-so-distant horrors of Europe’s
Holocaust, do you see our society moving in the direction of Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 society? Are we as a nation (as a people)
becoming less tolerant and less compassionate of different ideas and/or people? Regardless of your answer, what are the causes
for such thinking/behavior? What are some possible solutions?
V. Subject & Theme:
A. Recopy sentence in NB and fill in the blank with one or two words.
Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 is about
.
B. Using your above answer, what does Ray Bradbury seem to suggest/say about this particular subject? Use the below start to
begin your theme statement. Remember DO NOT use the following words: I, you, we, would, could or should.
Ray Bradbury suggests that. . . .
“Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. It comes in to us at midnight very clean.
It is perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands and hopes we’ve learnt something from yesterday.”
John Wayne
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