1. Literary Terms of Character Development
Fahrenheit 451
Literary Terms of Character Development

2. Learning Target
Analyze how characters develop through their interactions with others.
Key Terms: protagonist, antagonist, foil

3. Protagonist Main character in a piece of literature
Often overcomes a weakness to achieve a new understanding
May be called a “hero” if he/she acts with courage and strength
His/her journey is made more dramatic by challenges from characters with different beliefs or perspectives

4. Foil Provokes or challenges the protagonist
The most important foil, the antagonist, opposes the protagonist, barring or complicating his/her success
Examples: Romeo Montegue’s foils include the following: Juliet, Mercutio, Friar Lawrence, and Tybalt. His antagonist, or most important foil, is who? Why?

5. Foils in Fahrenheit 451 Captain Beatty: the fire chief
key foil and a historian of sorts
Faber: retired professor
represents a musty, academic link to the past
Clarisse: teenager
longs for the romantic days of front porches and rocking chairs: “we never ask questions.”
Mildred: the model citizen
lives in a world enchanted by television

6. Examine the role of “foils” in Fahrenheit 451
Directions: Identify occasions when a foil brings out dramatic responses from the protagonist, Guy Montag.
Key Questions:
How does the character force Montag to reevaluate himself and/or lead Montag toward self-realization?
How does Montag’s relationship to the character change?
What textual evidence can you provide?

7. Character One: Captain Beatty
How does the character force Montag to reevaluate himself and/or lead Montag toward self-realization?
How does Montag’s relationship to the character change?

8. Character Two: Professor Faber
How does the character force Montag to reevaluate himself and/or lead Montag toward self-realization?
How does Montag’s relationship to the character change?

9. Character Three: Clarisse McClellan
How does the character force Montag to reevaluate himself and/or lead Montag toward self-realization?
How does Montag’s relationship to the character change?

10. Character Four: Mildred Montag
How does the character force Montag to reevaluate himself and/or lead Montag toward self-realization?
How does Montag’s relationship to the character change?

11. Who is the Antagonist?
Antagonist =
Explanation =
Textual Evidence =