Advanced English 10

Fahrenheit 451

Reading Guide

PART THREE  -  Burning Bright

            1. What is the significance of the title of this section of the novel?   (It is from a famous poem…..which one is it from?)   How does it apply to the action of this part of the novel and to Montag?

            2. Summarize the fire at Montag’s house. 

            3. Why was Montag afraid to run?   What happened to him?

            4. What does Beatty discover, and what does he threaten to do?  Why   does Beatty quote the lines from Shakespeare?

            5. What happens to The Hound? 

            6. What did Montag mean by “We never burned right…”?  What kind of burning might he consider to be right?

            7. Montag realized that Beatty wanted to die. What explanation can you give for this?

            8. Why is it appropriate that war is declared at this point in the novel?   How does the war relate to Montag?

            9. How does Montag relate to Faber?   Where is Faber going?

10. What is the new game that the police invented?   Later, what “snap ending” had to be created for the “chase show” on TV?  What is ironic about the search for Montag?

11. What did the river give to Montag?  What fantasy did Montag enjoy as he floated    down the river?

12. How was the fire in the woods different from the fires that Montag was used to?

13. What was the “special silence that was concerned with all over the world?

14. Why is “He screamed!” so significant?

15. Granger welcomes Montag to the group and asks him what he has to offer? What is Montag’s reply?  Why is he worried?

16. Discuss the general plan of the book people.   How do they think of themselves?

17. Discuss the symbolic meaning of “the men all moved their hands, putting out the fire together.”

18. Where was Faber when the bombs hit?   Mildred?

19. What is the importance of the stories told by Granger about his grandfather?

20. Now that the city is destroyed, what does fire stand for?

21. How is the legend of the phoenix related to the story?   What does Granger say they should build?

22. Why did Granger want Montag to lead them back to the city?   How does Granger view Montag?

23. What verse was Montag saving for their arrival in the city?  WHY?

Afterword and CODA

1.      What words describe Bradbury’s feelings about books and writers?

2.      Do you think the two-act play Bradbury describes should have become part of the novel?

3.      Why is it so ironic that Fahrenheit 451 was censored?

4.      What is meant by “digression is the soul of wit”?

5.      To what poem was Bradbury referring in the phrase, “I will not go gently onto a shelf…..”?

            I hope that you enjoyed this novel.   It is on the selected reading list for high school students who plan on going to college.   I will familiarize you with this list as we spend time together in ADVANCED ENGLISH 10.   I believe that this novel should make you think about reading and appreciating quality literature.

            I am sure that you will be reading other books during the summer.   I have mine,  and I will start reading them when I am on vacation sitting on the beach or enjoying nature up north.   You will be surprised at my list.   We can share titles on the first day of school.   Until then, ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR SUMMER!!!!!       GK  

Fahrenheit 451

Reading Guide

PART TWO – The Sieve and the Sand

1. What happens when you put sand in a sieve?  What do you think is the meaning and significance of this title?
2. How does Mildred react to Montag’s reading?
3. What did Faber mean when he said, in the park, “I talk the meaning of things”?
4. How do Mildred’s comments and actions show she is never going to understand what Montag is trying to tell her?
5. What THREE things does Faber say are missing from A WORLD WITHOUT BOOKS?
6. Compare books to Caesar’s praetorian guard.
7. Does Faber think that firemen are the only problem?
8. What book does Montag take to Faber?  Why was the Book of Job an appropriate one for Faber to read to Montag?
9. Describe the plan devised by Faber and Montag.
10. What approaching disaster will give intellectuals a chance to be heard?
11. Faber says Beatty “may be one of us”? Do you think it is possible?  Give reasons.
12. Characterize “the ladies”: Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Bowles.  Why does Bradbury choose to have the women discuss war, children and politics?
13. What did Mildred want Montag to read “Dover Beach”?
14. What is the dual personality of Montag?  How does Beatty make Montag doubt his newly emerging self?
15. After Beatty’s speech at the firehouse, what did Faber tell Montag?
16. What is suspenseful about the end of this section of the book?

Fahrenheit 451

READING GUIDE

            These questions are to guide your reading and more importantly, guide our discussion of            the key points of the book.  Write on loose leaf, concise answers for each of the following     questions for the parts of the novel.  

PART ONE – The Hearth and the Salamander

1. Who is Montag?  How does he feel about his job?
2. What metaphor does Bradbury use to describe the burning books?
3. What kinds of powers did Clarisse seem to have immediately over Montag?  What is her life like?  Is she “insane” as she describes herself?
4. How does Mildred pass the time of her life?  What is she like?  Is Montag in love with her?
5. Explain the title of this section of the book.
6. What is the significance / symbolism of the mascot of the fire department?   How does it react to Montag?
7. How do the conversations differ that Montag has with Mildred and with Clarisse?
8. Describe school in the world of Fahrenheit 451.
9. Give three reasons why the firemen might be suspicious of Montag.
10. Summarize the anecdote about the Seattle fireman’s suicide?
11. What do the rule books say about the Firemen of America?
12. What reasons did Beatty give for the burning of the books?
13. What is the effect about the announcement of impending war?
14. Describe the firemen and describe Stoneman and Black.
15. What can you infer about the government when it comes to a national fire department?
16. Summarize the old woman’s fire.   Who does she quote?
17. What has happened to Clarisse?   How does Montag feel about his wife?
18. What is the significance that the smell of kerosene makes Montag sick?
19. There is a whole conversation about books by Beatty.  What is said about BOOKS?
20. What is your reaction to Beatty’s statement that everyone must be alike – not born free and equal BUT made equal?
21. Before Part One in the book there is a quote by Juan Ramon Jimenez – comment on it: “If they give you ruled paper, write the other way.”
22. What is Montag looking for in books?