1. Agenda: Characterization pre-test
Indirect Characterization mini lesson using “The Pedestrian”
Begin reading Fahrenheit 451 with reading questions (see supplemental file) - through track 5 on the audio
RL : Analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g. how the characters are introduced and developed).

2. Characterization Focus
Indirect characterization: When the personality of a fictitious character is revealed through the character's speech, actions, appearance, etc.
Let’s practice indirect characterization with Leonard Meade.

3. This is characterization...
“For long ago he had wisely changed to
sneakers when strolling at night
because the dogs in intermittent squad
would parallel his journey with barkings
if he wore hard heels, and the lights
might click on and faces appear and an
entire street startled by the passing of a lone figure, himself, in the early November evening.”
*intermittent: sporadic, irregular

4. Characterization
What do we learn about Leonard’s actions in the previous sentence?
Which words tell us about Leonard’s appearance?
Why would Leonard change out of his hard heels into sneakers?
What happens when the dogs start barking?
5. So what is the author trying to show us
about Leonard in this one, very long sentence?

5. This is characterization...
“He listened to the faint push of his soft shoes through autumn leaves with satisfaction, and whistled a cold quiet whistle between his teeth, occasionally picking up a leaf as he passed, examining its skeletal pattern in the infrequent lamplights as he went on, smelling its rusty smell.”
Which words tell us how Leonard feels about walking alone?

6. Fahrenheit 451 Characters
Guy Montag - A third-generation fireman
Mildred Montag - Montag’s brittle, sickly looking wife.
Captain Beatty - The captain of Montag’s fire department.
Professor Faber - A retired English professor whom Montag encountered a year before the book opens.
Clarisse McClellan - A beautiful seventeen-year-old who introduces Montag to the world’s potential for beauty and meaning with her gentle innocence and curiosity.
Granger - The leader of the “Book People,” the group of hobo intellectuals.
Mrs. Phelps - One of Mildred’s vapid friends.
Mrs. Bowles - One of Mildred’s friends.
Stoneman and Black - Two firemen who work with Montag.

7. Fahrenheit 451 Characters
These are the very basic traits of each character. As we read Fahrenheit 451, look for ways each one is characterized.
What does the character say that helps us
to know his or her inner personality?
What does the character do that helps
us to learn more about him or her?
How does the character’s appearance help
us to better understand him or her?

8. Reading- F451
As we read F451, focus on the characterization of ONE character. With your post-its on your desk, mark at least TWO instances of strong characterization of either GUY, CLARISSE, and MILDRED in your book.
After you’re done you’ll comment on Bradbury’s choice to introduce the characters the way he did.
RL : Analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g. how the characters are introduced and developed).

9. Audio for F451
Part 1
Part 2