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  

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