1. Fahrenheit 451
Ray Bradbury

2. Genre
“…for Bradbury science fiction is a magic lantern that casts grotesque forms for our contemplation.”
Explain the significance of the metaphor and diction.
What is the most important goal of science fiction: to analyze the past, the present, or the future. Explain.

3. Types of Literature
Utopian
Dystopian

4. Dystopian literature paints the opposite of an ideal world, a place that is highly unpleasant.

5. Classify
Which type is F451?
Explain and give examples

6. Discuss
What are some ironic similarities between the world of F451 and our own modern society?

7. Setting
Future
USA
Large city

8. Symbols
Hearth & Salamander
Sand & Sieve
Books
Fire
Phoenix

9. Characterization Explain character’s purpose/function in plot
How does this character reveal the writer’s theme?
Reveal a character through-
Appearance
Actions, Thoughts
Dialogue-2 quotes
Internal/External conflicts

10. Characters Clarisse Mildred Beatty Prof Faber
Find +5 quotes for each character.

11. Conflict Find an example of each conflict. Man vs. Man Man vs. Society
Man vs. Technology
Who/what is the antagonist in this novel?

12. Theme Censorship Isolation Desensitization of Society Illiteracy
Mindless Entertainment

13. Consider…
Rising illiteracy
Drug abuse
Violence
Population explosion
Excessive materialism

14. Discuss
How are teenagers depicted in this novel? Contrast this to modern life. Why is Clarisse ironically considered “antisocial?”

15. Discuss
What is the catalyst that causes Montag to go against his society?
How does his character evolve?
Flat or round? Static or dynamic?

16. Discuss
Describe Mildred and Montag’s marriage? Do you sympathize with either character? Why?

17. Discuss Why does Bradbury chose this allusion?
How does the biblical text hi-lite Bradbury’s theme?
What do the novel and the verse have in common?

18. Discuss
How has technology deadened people in this society?
Is this a novel of hope or despair?

19. Allusion The Book of Ecclesiastes- "Book of the Teacher”
The speaker in the book introduces himself as "son of David, king in Jerusalem.”
All the actions of man are "vain,” "futile," "empty," "meaningless."

20. Allusion Ecclesiastes 1:1
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

21. Allusion Ecclesiastes 1:2:
“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (NKJV).
Ecclesiastes 1:18:
“For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.”

22. Writing Assignment This is a novel of dire warning.
What is Bradbury’s message?
What are the consequences of ignoring his message?

23. Allusion:
Read and discuss the poem Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold. How does the poem relate to the theme of the novel?

24. Test Essay Question Define the term allusion.
Identify the allusion within the poem.
How does this poem relate to Montag’s conflict and perspective? Use 3 quotes to illustrate your points.