Fahrenheit 451 Burning Bright
Investigate Montag's assertion that Beatty "wanted to die" (122 hardcover/ 116 paperback). Do you believe this to be true? Provide concrete examples.
-Beatty does want to die -he purposely taunted Montag so as to provoke him (pg. 112-113) -He is a smart man living in a not smart world -He has grown to be a law abiding citizen, but he cannot reach his full potential in this society -He has grown tired of doing his job
Discuss the context and irony in Beatty's statement: "One of those damn do-gooders with their shocked holier-than-thou silences, their one talent making others feel guilty" (114 hardcover/ 108 paperback). Provide concrete examples
-Beatty is referring to Clarisse being more intelligent than other people -Beatty actually makes Montag feel more uncomfortable and guilty than Clarisse -When Montag returned a book to Beatty, Beatty made him feel like an outcast and bullied him -Clarisse gives Montag a sense of comfort -The book says his laugh is more relaxed around Clarisse
Read the "Coda" (p. 175 in the hardcover; p. 208 in the paperback), and interpret what you think Bradbury means by, "There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches" (176/209). First, relate this quote to an aspect of the novel (e.g., aside from the book burning, how are the citizens in the novel completely controlled, and how are they prevented from and condemned from asserting independent thought?). Provide concrete examples. Additionally, examine the irony of editors and teachers censoring this book when publishing or teaching it. Make sure you completely understand Bradbury's points and opinions about the nature of censorship.
-In the novel citizens can't form independent thoughts -they are brain washed by the television -cannot read intellectual literature -Clarrise is an "odd duck" -Schools take children as soon as possible to limit contact with family -In real world, people are censoring a book about the censorship of media
Examine the scenario surrounding and the irony in, "The search is over, Montag is dead; a crime against society has been avenged" (149 hardcover/ 142 paperback). Provide concrete examples.
-Montag is on the run and the police stage the capture and assasination of Montag to fool the public (pg. 142) -Montag is just trying to leave their society, which shouldn't be considered a crime against humanity -Ironic because the police is committing a "crime against society" by killing an innocent person to look like they are doing their jobs
Examine the literal and metaphorical meanings of this statement: "Granger touched Montag's arm. 'Welcome back from the dead'" (150 hardcover/143 paperback). Provide concrete examples.
-Montag was LITERALLY announced as dead a few moments ago so Granger sarcastically said that. Pg. 142) -Montag escapes from a world in which people were half dead and depressed -Montag rebirth -tens of people are committing suicide and overdosing every night (pg. 13)
Read the "afterword" (p. 167 in the hardcover); this section is called "Investing Dimes" (p.199) in the paperback. Form an opinion about how you feel regarding the changes to the book in the play version (based on Bradbury's recitation).
-The changes in the play were interesting and I do think that they are a good addition. -Montag finding Beatty's collection of books gives good background info for the reader -Clarisse was an important character in the book, and killing her off so quickly left the reader slightly confused about her(who her family was, how she evaded the propoganda of society) -Faber dying was a better ending than just leaving him stranded in that society with all of the other brain-dead people
Faber asserts: "Grandfather's been dead for all these years, but if you lifted my skull, by God, in the convolutions of my brain you'd find the big ridges of his thumbprint. He touched me, as I said earlier, he was a sculptor" (157 paperback/ 150 hardcover). Discuss how each main character in Montag's life has helped to "sculpt" Montag. Use at least two specific examples from the text per character, and explain the examples thoroughly.
Clarisse: -"are you happy" pg. 7 -talking indistinctly in the house and Montag wanted to join them pg. 15 Faber: -showed him that rebelling is one way to get things done: Faber announces that he wished that he had done something earlier, so Montag realized that he should do something (pg. 78) -helped him become confident enough to "defeat Montag" by guiding him through multiple encounters (pg. 102) Mildred: -showed him how depressed the world is: mildreds overdose (pg. 17) -Mildred's rejection of the books when Montag first shows them to her (pg. 65) Beatty: -showed Montag what he could have become if he continued down the fireman path. (Pg. 59 happiness boys) -taught Montag to use power wisely: Beatty manipulates people with his superior knowledge. (Pg. 103, harasses Montag)
