Fahrenheit 451 Test Review Is it hot in

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