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