Fahrenheit 451: Test Review Is it hot in here?

Basic 451 information Authored by Ray Bradbury in 1950 Written mostly in UCLA library Science fiction genre Plot covers about 3 weeks time Based on what Bradbury thought we might be like someday

Setting Set in an unspecified large city in an unspecified time in the future This allows readers to put themselves in the position of the characters for a more personal experience

Characters Montag: Protagonist of novel, decides he wants to change, fights inner war and outer war, forced to burn his house down Beatty: Antagonist of novel, upholds societal rules, symbol of what’s wrong with society, killed in the climax

More characters Clarisse: Supporting character, symbol of goodness, what used to be society, opens Montag’s eyes with her question, “Are you happy?”, killed in apparent drive-by violence

More characters Mildred: Guy’s wife, represents effects of society, turns husband in for books, “family” is parlor walls Faber: Retired English professor, helps Montag reach goal, headed to St. Louis to begin again, invites Montag

Basic terms Paradox: Statement that seems to be false or contradict, but actually could be true Irony: An outcome or event that turns out to be much different from what is expected Metaphor: Comparison w/o “like” or “as”

Symbols Seashells: Like headphones Mechanical hound: 8 legged predator, does dirty work for humans in this story Phoenix: Bird that rises from its ashes to live again, represents Montag and his life

More symbols Colors such as red, orange, yellow, black, gray = FIRE Uniforms are orange and black River: Montag’s rebirth Wars: Internal and external Snake: Unhappiness in society Dandelion: Love, happiness

Aren’t symbols fun?? Hearth: Keeps fire inside, contained, what Clarisse is and Montag is later Salamander: Burning, what firemen are Books: forbidden knowledge, government control of lives

451 Themes Censorship can be dangerous Individuality is a good thing It is better to have knowledge than be ignorant Even when it is difficult, we must stand up for what is right

Random, yet important facts Dover Beach, by Matthew Arnold, is a poem about knowledge and what the lack of it can do to a person This ultimately symbolizes Montag’s quest for something different

How about one more? The fact that society is glued to the parlor walls during Montag’s pursuit and “capture” shows how uncaring and unfeeling it really is It is also willing to believe anything seen on TV. Sound familiar??

What can you learn from 451? Be an individual Stand up for what is right Question things you don’t believe or don’t understand Never stop learning and wanting knowledge Never take freedom for granted