1. Fahrenheit 451 Themes Theme Chart Notes

2. Theme Topic: Knowledge vs Ignorance Firemen destroy knowledge (books) Firemen destroy knowledge (books) Government promotes ignorance Government promotes ignorance What is critical thinking? What is critical thinking? –Challenging ideas rather than accepting them Look for the contrast between Faber and Captain Beatty Look for the contrast between Faber and Captain Beatty Look for Montag’s journey from ignorance to enlightenment Look for Montag’s journey from ignorance to enlightenment –What is enlightenment you say?

3. Theme Topic: Government Control/ Conformity Government Control – The government seeks to control the people by making them ignorant of their history Government Control – The government seeks to control the people by making them ignorant of their history –How could this be a form of control? Conformity – In this fictional world it is highly prized to be the SAME. Conformity – In this fictional world it is highly prized to be the SAME. –No one is allowed to have individual thoughts –Interestingly this is SELF-ENFORCED by the citizens...hmmmm, sound familiar? What are some similarities to our modern society? What are some similarities to our modern society?

4. Theme Topic: Over-reliance on Technology TV and electronics are the enemy (even though they seem like amazing advancements that we’d all enjoy)! TV and electronics are the enemy (even though they seem like amazing advancements that we’d all enjoy)! The argument for the advanced technology is that people are HAPPIER when they DON’T have to THINK! The argument for the advanced technology is that people are HAPPIER when they DON’T have to THINK! –Sound familiar? I love a good Kardashian episode...don’t you? What are the problems with becoming too overly reliant on technology? What are the problems with becoming too overly reliant on technology? –Look for these for your theme chart

5. Theme Topic: Man vs Natural World Think about “There Will Come Soft Rains” Think about “There Will Come Soft Rains” –Who won? Man or the Natural World? –Who ultimately has more control? Man = Technology/government/conformity Man = Technology/government/conformity Natural World = engagement/truth/living Natural World = engagement/truth/living What is our life cycle? How does technology work to eliminate the natural cycle of life? What is our life cycle? How does technology work to eliminate the natural cycle of life?

6. Theme Topic: Dissatisfaction Are you really happy? Are you really happy? Everyone in this novel seems to be happy...they have what we all want! The best that money can buy in technological advances! Everyone in this novel seems to be happy...they have what we all want! The best that money can buy in technological advances! –Watch TV all day, have food made for them at any time, drive cars as fast as they want Sounds like a dream right? Or is it? Sounds like a dream right? Or is it?

7. Theme Topic: Violence The futuristic world of Fahrenheit 451 is violent The futuristic world of Fahrenheit 451 is violent –They have no respect for human life –Violence is an outlet for pent-up emotions Why do you think this is? As we read, and consider how the other themes relate to this theme...is there a problem here? Why do you think this is? As we read, and consider how the other themes relate to this theme...is there a problem here?

8. Theme Topic: Censorship No one is able to think independently No one is able to think independently If they have an original idea, it is quelled immediately – They may be put in jail or sent to a doctor for psychological help If they have an original idea, it is quelled immediately – They may be put in jail or sent to a doctor for psychological help This is connected to books....but don’t let that bother you (even if you don’t love to read)...the problem is NO ONE IS ABLE TO SPEAK HIS/HER MIND! (Books are merely symbolic of this problem!) This is connected to books....but don’t let that bother you (even if you don’t love to read)...the problem is NO ONE IS ABLE TO SPEAK HIS/HER MIND! (Books are merely symbolic of this problem!)

9. Theme Chart pgs. 3-14 Main Points SettingCharacters Relation to Theme Montag is a fireman that sets fires Montag is a fireman that sets fires Montag meets Clarisse and she asks him if he’s happy Montag meets Clarisse and she asks him if he’s happy Montag finds his wife has tried to commit suicide Montag finds his wife has tried to commit suicide He’s on a street and it’s dark Montag’s House and a war is beginning Montag – a fireman and the protagonist Clarisse – 17 & crazy, insightful Mildred - Violence – Montag seems obsessed with burning Dissatifaction – mildred’s attempted suicide and Guy’s admission that he isn’t happy

10. Theme Chart pgs. 14-28 Main Points Setti ng Characte rs Relation to Theme Mildred gets her stomach pumped Mildred gets her stomach pumped Montag sees Clarisse (dandelion test)– He’s not in love Montag sees Clarisse (dandelion test)– He’s not in love The mechanical hound threatens Montag The mechanical hound threatens Montag Mon tag’s Hou se On the stre et Fire Stati on MidredMontagClarisse Captain Beatty Dissatisfaction – Mildred’s denial of her suicide attempt and Montag is not in love Violence/Government Control – The hound kills people to show the power of the government over the community (Over reliance on technology

11. Theme Chart pgs. 28-42 Main Points Setting Charact ers Relation to Theme Clarisse explains why she’s “antisocial” Clarisse explains why she’s “antisocial” Montag steals a book Montag steals a book The woman commits suicide by burning herself The woman commits suicide by burning herself On the street The burning woman’ s house Clarisse and Montag Captain Beatty, Stonem an and Black Woman who burned Violence – Clarisse’s classmates hurt each other, Fun Parks Conformity – Everyone is expected to be the same (high school) Knowledge vs Ignorance – Montag is moving towards knowledge Violence/Dissatisfa ction – woman kills herself

12. Theme Chart pgs. 42-53 Main Points SettingCharacters Relation to Theme Montag feels like Mildred’s TV family is more important to her Montag feels like Mildred’s TV family is more important to her Montag finds out that Clarisse is dead Montag finds out that Clarisse is dead Captain Beatty shows up at Montag’s house Captain Beatty shows up at Montag’s house Montag’s house Mildred and Montag Overrelianc e on Tech – Mildred Dissatisfacti on – Montag Violence – Clarisse has been hit by a car

13. Theme Chart pgs. 53-68 Main Points Setting Characte rs Relation to Theme Captain Beatty explains how the firemen came to have their jobs Captain Beatty explains how the firemen came to have their jobs Montag tells Mildred about the books Montag tells Mildred about the books They read together They read together Montag’s house MildredMontagBeatty Knowledge vs ignorance – society used to move slower and had time to think, Montag is trying to become knowledgable

14. Theme Chart pgs 68-80 Main PointsSettingCharactersRelation to theme Montag calls Faber Montag has headed out to make copies of the Bible Montag tries to memorize the Bible but he is too distracted Montag’s house The train Faber – retired English professor Montag met at a park Montag Mildred Censorship – Books are not allowed so people are hiding them Man vs natural world – advertisements are man-made and he needs nature’s peace