1. Discussion Questions and Bell Work
Fahrenheit 451
Discussion Questions and Bell Work

2. Fahrenheit 451 DQs
pages 25-45

3. Bell Work: “Barter” Read and annotate the poem.
Identify some of the author’s ‘moves’ in the poem and analyze how they add meaning.
Define the theme of the poem.

4. Response 1
Explain why Clarisse is afraid of children her own age. Describe what this tells the reader about Clarisse.

5. Response 2
Analyze the interaction between Montag, Captain Beatty, and the woman in the house just before she sets herself on fire. Explain what this interaction tells the reader about Montag.

6. Response 3
Analyze how the TV parlor serves as an analogy for the barriers in Montag and Mildred’s relationship. Explain how Mildred’s reactions to Montag’s protests creates tension in the text.

7. Response 4
Throughout the text, Ray Bradbury has used various forms of figurative language to describe Montag’s hands. Analyze how this use of language serves as a way to illustrate Montag’s changing motivations.

8. “The Hearth and the Salamander”
Signposts for the end of the chapter

9. After Beatty’s departure…
After your reading of pages 60-67, Montag reveals something that he’s been hiding for some time…
Based on your reading, fill in the handout based on a signpost, specifically a contrast and contradiction (since this text is mainly driven by character) that you noticed in these final pages. Be sure to respond thoroughly and thoughtfully.

10. Fahrenheit 451: Mildred = Society
Pages 67-76
October 15-16, 2018

11. Bell Work
Beatty said: “If the drama is bad, the film says nothing, if the play is hollow, sting me with the Theremin, loudly. I’ll think I’m responding to the play, when its only a tactile reaction to vibration. But I don’t care. I just like solid entertainment” (Bradbury, 58).
Analyze the extended metaphor by discovering what a “Theremin” is. Then explain how that metaphor adds meaning to the narrative.

12. Response 1
Analyze how Mildred’s behavior differs depending on what she is doing. For example, analyze her behavior when she is talking to her husband to that of when she answers the phone with her friends or when she watches the parlor walls.
There are several examples. Take 5 minutes to discuss some examples you noticed with your neighbors. Then take some time to write them down on your own.

13. Response 2
Explain how Ray Bradbury structures these pages to create tension, mystery, or surprise.
There are several examples. Take 5 minutes to discuss some examples you noticed with your neighbors. Then take some time to write them down on your own.

14. Response 3.1
Complete the character map for both Mildred and Clarisse. Use any evidence from the text that you can to support that analysis
There are several examples. Take 5 minutes to discuss some examples you noticed with your neighbors. Then take some time to write them down on your own.

15. Response 3.2
Explain how Mildred serves as a symbol for all of society. Analyze how she fits in to what Beatty explained to Montag at the end of ”The Hearth and the Salamander.”
There are several examples. Take 5 minutes to discuss some examples you noticed with your neighbors. Then take some time to write them down on your own.

16. Fahrenheit 451: Faber
Pages 76-89
October 17, 2018

17. Writing Prompt
You have read Montag’s interaction with Professor Faber, who was sought out to help Montag make sense of the books he is reading. Analyze how Faber structures his argument to elaborate on how what Montag is looking for is not the books themselves but what the books have to say.
Be sure to:
Develop a clear claim that explains how Faber’s argument is structured
Use appropriate transition phrases that elaborate on the relationship between your ideas
Embed evidence throughout the text so that you can use quotes effectively tyo support your claim
Use words and phrases that tie back to your claim

18. Fahrenheit 451: The Three Mildreds
Pages 89-98
October 18, 2018

19. Bell Work
On your notecard, begin to think about theme in the novel by summarizing the major conflict in the novel.
Create a summary statement using “Somebody Wanted … But … So”
For example, “Ishmael wanted to find his family and regain his childhood, but he was forced to be a part of it, so his entire life was changed.”

20. The Three Mildreds Questions to consider as we read:
How do the events in pages provoke Montag?
How is this interaction significant to Montag’s development as a character?
What are two lessons that Montag may have learned after this situation?

21. Fahrenheit 451: The Sideshow
Pages

22. Bell Work
Respond:
Upon arriving to the firehouse after his experience with Mildred and her friends, Montag is apprehensive. Toward the end of the chapter, Ray Bradbury begins to structure the text, particularly by paying attention to characterization, to reveal the surprise at the end of the chapter. Analyze how Bradbury structured this portion of the book to create that effect of surprise.

23. Allusion A reference to something in history
Designed to call something to mind.
Daedalus and Icarus
Respond to the following questions:

24. Allusion Explain the myth of Daedalus and Icarus.
What cause Montag to be in the situation at the beginning of “Burning Bright.” Use specific examples from the text.
How does the use of this allusion create suspense in the novel? [RL.10.5]

25. Read through page 119 Beatty. Fire. Run.
Reflect on Montag’s perception of Captain Beatty’s behavior. Do you agree with Montag? Why or why not?
Use evidence from the text to develop your argument.

26. Fahrenheit 451: Run.
Pages

27. Page 111: Beatty’s revalation
“Was it my wife turned in the alarm?”
Beatty nodded. “But her friends turned in an alarm earlier, that I let ride. One way or the other, you’d have got it.”
What does this mean regarding the reading on page 105 when Beatty glanced “perfunctorily” at the alarm being rung in?

28. DQs through 119
Analyze Montag’s perception of the burning of his house. What does that paragraph reveal about Montag’s character?
What effect is created by the author’s symbolism of the “earthquake” on page 112?
Evaluate Montag’s point of view toward Beatty after he realizes that Beatty had wanted to die.

29. After reading 123.
Montag claimed that Beatty had wanted to die. But is this really the case?
Sift through the evidence in the text and evaluate whether or not Montag’s perception of Beatty’s desire is correct.
Complete the following extended response: Evaluate the accuracy of Montag’s claim. Write an argument explaining the validity of Montag’s claim.

30. Developing a Theme (1/2) There are three phases to this task:
Develop a concept map that outlines all the events and conflicts that Montag has been through. Make connections between them. (For example, what’s the connection between the first fire in the novel and Montag uttering the line “once upon a time”?)
Further develop this map by layering in how the characters and setting interact with those events. (Perhaps Beatty or Clarisse had something to do with Montag saying that line?)

31. Developing a Theme (2/2) There are three phases to this task.
Mark-up those details throughout the text where you see a pattern developing. Maybe some of the major conflicts Montag has is a result of his asking questions or his interactions with specific characters?
Define the theme. Compose an objective summary of the text: include how the theme emerges, is shaped throughout the book, and is refined by specific sections of the text.

32. Fahrenheit 451: Breath
Pages

33. Finally, the liesure…
Faber claimed that the second thing people need from the world was liesure. And though Montag claimed that people have much time to themselves, Faber clarified:
“Off hours, yes. But time to think? If you’re not driving a hundred miles an hour at a clip where you can’t think of anything else but the danger, then you’re playing some game or sitting in some room where you can’t argue with the four-wall televisior. […] It tells you what to think and blasts it in. It must be right. It seems so right” (80).

34. Transformation
As you read pages , consider what Montag beigns to realize as he is provided the liesure time to think and process about his life.
On your Signpost sheet, record as many of these as you can. (Consider Ahas and C&Cs.)
(For example, as he sits quietly, pondering, what does he remember? What does he notice? How does he feel?)

35. Writing Prompt
You have read Montag’s journey through the darkness of society into the light of the world. Consider the major conflicts and obstacles he had to overcome to reach this state of clarity. Analyze how Montag’s development communicates Ray Bradbury’s major theme in Fahrenheit 451.
Be sure to:
Have a clear and concise claim
Use transition words and phrases to create a relationship between ideas
Refer to your claim and remind your reader what your subject is
Embed evidence to communicate seamless link between your and the author’s ideas.

36. Fahrenheit 451: War
Pages

37. Back to the city. Final project:
Create a ten song playlist that Montag might listen to on his way back to the city. Each song should allow Montag to reflect on significant aspects of his development.
Accompanying each song, there must be a response that explains how the theme of that song connects to a particular part of the text.
Create a cover image for that playlist that communicates the theme of the book.