1. Fahrenheit 451
Review Notes

2. Guy Montag is initially content and satisfied with his job
is different from the other firemen
comes from a family of firemen
his human inclinations and his work are at odds
seeks human contact
is initially content and satisfied with his job (“It was a pleasure to burn.”)
is different from the other firemen as he entertains Clarisse’s ideas
comes from a family of firemen
experiences internal conflict when his human inclinations and his work are at odds
seeks human contact

3. Guy Montag (cont.) becomes curious and introspective
can distinguish right from wrong
seeks truth that his job and society have denied him
becomes curious and introspective through his meetings with Clarisse
can distinguish right from wrong, even though he may not be able to articulate his reasoning
seeks truth that his job and society have denied him; thinks books will provide this truth

4. Guy Montag (cont.) needs guidance acts courageously but also foolishly
has strong convictions but is sometimes too idealistic
becomes the rebel
needs guidance as he lacks the ability to read books and finds this elusive truth
acts courageously but also foolishly; makes rash decisions
has strong convictions but is sometimes too idealistic
becomes the rebel as he challenges the conformity of his surroundings

5. The Dystopian Hero
Compare Guy Montag to the characteristics of dystopian heroes (see handout).

6. Clarisse McClellan acts as a catalyst for change in Montag
is associated with nature and light
is curious, observant, and questioning
has the innocence of youth yet the wisdom of experience
different from other teenagers
feels alienated
acts as a catalyst for change in Montag
is associated with nature and light
is curious, observant, and questioning
has the innocence of youth yet the wisdom of experience
offers a contrast for Mildred Montag but also teenagers
feels alienated because she feels humans are social

7. Mildred Montag is older but less mature than Clarisse
shows us the emptiness of society
ultimately betrays her husband
chooses an imaginary world over a real one
is older but less mature than Clarisse
shows us the emptiness of pleasure-seeking, narcissistic, and distracted society
is presented with the opportunity for redemption (like Faber) but ultimately betrays her husband
chooses an imaginary world over a real one

8. Captain Beatty
is observant, knowledgeable, and intelligent but also confrontational and manipulative
understands society and is not a mindless, ignorant follower
defends the status quo
is hypocritical
uses knowledge as a weapon
is observant, knowledgeable, and intelligent but also confrontational and manipulative
as opposed to Mildred, understands society and is not a mindless, ignorant follower
defends the status quo because it has given him a position of power and authority
is hypocritical as he destroys the books that he seems to enjoy
uses knowledge as a weapon

9. Professor Faber is a retired professor Is practical and cautious
considers himself a coward
offers an alternative to Beatty’s version of society
finds new life (and redemption)
is a retired professor
is more practical and cautious than Montag
considers himself a coward as he did not challenge the status quo
offers an alternative to Beatty’s version of society
finds new life (and redemption) as he helps Montag

10. Granger leader of a group of exiles is associated with the future
commits books to memory for future generations
people, not books are important
leader of a group of exiles
is associated with the future as he is preparing for it and communicates a vision of it
commits books to memory for future generations
confirms that it is not books that are important but the people who use them

11. Symbols phoenix fire appears on the fireman’s uniform
represents rebirth and rejuvenation
compared to man (by Granger)
fire
can give and take away
is associated with destruction

12. Motifs mirrors moonlight conversations with others
Montag is satisfied with his reflection
Clarisse is described as a mirror
Faber describes books as mirrors
Granger thinks a factory of mirrors would help humans look at themselves
moonlight
early conversations between Montag and Clarisse
outside the city
conversations with others
Clarisse
Beatty
Faber
Granger

13. Allusions Plato’s cave allegory (philosophy)
Brutus of Julius Caesar (literature)
martyrdom of Latimer and Ridley (history)
Icarus’ death (mythology)
New Jerusalem after the apocalypse (religion)