FAHRENHEIT 451 ~ Ray Bradbury
Vocabulary:
Stolid- having or revealing little emotion or sensibility
Minstrel- musician
Imperceptibly- in a way that is so slight, gradual, or subtle as not to be perceived
Mausoleum- a large burial chamber
Harlequin- (as an adjective) in varied colors; variegated
Welter- (as a noun) a large number of items in no order; a confused mass
Filigree- ornamental work of fine wire formed into delicate tracery
Perfunctory- (of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection
Centrifuge- an apparatus that separates particles from a suspension
Cacophony- loud confusing disagreeable sounds
Cog- tooth on the rim of gear wheel
Olfactory- of or relating to the sense of smell
Stratum- one of several parallel layers of material
Cataract- disease that involves the clouding of the lens of the eye
Dentifrice- a paste or powder for cleaning the teeth
Quotes:
“It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed.” [page 1]
This quote, embodies the mind of the dystopian society, of Fahrenheit 451. Fire is what this society has harnessed and takes pleasure in. This quote speaks of the human instinct for destruction and brutality. Fire is both beautiful and necessary for survival, as it gives off heat, warmth, luminosity, and is a representation of passion. Fire however can be used as a weapon, used for its uncontrollable, destructive nature. This is what this dystopian society in Fahrenheit 451 harnesses, the power, destruction, and fear fire provides. In this way, fire embodies the theme of order as well as violence and censorship.
‘“What is there about fire that’s so lovely? No matter what age we are, what draws us to it?’ Beatty blew out the flame and lit it again. ‘It’s perpetual motion; the thing many wanted to invent but never did.’” [page 109]
Fire has been allocated solely for the human purpose of destruction, instead of it being a (common) element of nature. The society has become addicted to the power of fire, and the immediate satisfaction it provides, through the obliteration it causes.
“I’ll hold onto the world tight some day. I’ve got one finger on it now; that’s a beginning.” [page 155]
Montag has gone through a “metamorphosis.” He is no longer another passive automaton cell of society, but rather a human with possession of free will and emotion. Montag has only begun to “see” the world for what it truly is, and for what more it can be. His new perspective and fresh curiosity allow him to view the world with compassion and break free of the “chains” of society. Some day, Montag will be able to really understand and embrace the world Clarisse McClellan embraced, but for now, he’s got “one finger on it.”
Character Sketch:
{Captain Beatty}
Beatty is a leader who is motivated by reason. He takes pride and pleasure in being a chief fireman, and pursing books to burn.
Ambitious and manipulative. Beatty manipulates his friendship with Guy Montag, stringing together quotes from different illegal books, confusing and purposefully tripping up Guy. Beatty eventually leads Guy to his own house to burn, wearing his ambition as a badge.
Beatty is intelligent, and intimidating, as well as a caring figure to Montag. He looks over the boys of the firehouse, trying to protect satisfy society.
4. Beatty would value ambition, passion, manipulation, and practicality in others.
5. Beatty envelops himself in his stoic, manipulative, and aggressive character. Using these qualities, he was able to manipulate Montag to killing him, tricking society that he was “one of them.” As well as being intimidating, Beatty is paradox, for he quotes from the books books he burns with malice.
6. Beatty is not afraid of death, for he did not try to stop Guy Montag from throwing a flame thrower at him, rather provoking him, quoting Shakespeare. “Beatty wanted to die,” was what Montag realized after killing him. Beatty was in fact a lover of literature, and saw no value in the superficial, instant gratification and pleasure society sought and lived around. He however, did not want to disrupt the peace of society, and could no longer live in this world, and sought “suicide” as the only option.
General Reading Comprehension
How is the theme of the novel reflected in the title?
The main theme Ray Bradbury develops in his dystopian novel, is censorship. The despotic government censors all works of literature by burning books and making it illegal to obtain or read works of literature. The title, “Fahrenheit 451” embodies this theme for 451 degrees Fahrenheit the temperature at which books burn.
What aspects of the setting reveal the theme of the book?
Ray Bradbury purposefully does not reveal the setting, leaving it up to the reader’s imagination. He does refer to the American cities of Chicago and St.Louis however, thus setting is assumed to be in the United States, but the specific location is unknown. The setting in a way is censored, for the reader’s are not made aware of the specific location. This reveals the theme of censorship.
How does the main character of the novel change and grow to discover the theme?
Guy Montag appears as a dutiful fireman, conforming to the rules and brutality of society. He, however, is turmoiled and filled with emptiness. He longs for the reason of why society is the way it is. He tries to search for the meaning behind the illegal books he’s to burn. He fights the censorship, and fights the conformity of society.
What does the climax reveal about the authorial view of the theme?
The climax shows that the author might view censorship, especially to this degree, as depressing, sucking the joy and meaning out of life. The climax is reached when Guy murders Beatty.
Compare/contrast individual identity in conjunction with or in confrontation with societal expectations in each of the novels.
Society, over the individual is more valuable. The individual has to fit into the standard mold of society, each playing their dutiful part, accepting that what is being done is best with no question. Guy Montag does not handle societal expectations well, especially after meeting Clarisse, he knows that what society is doing is wrong, and is turmoiled.
How trust and suspicion are depicted.
Montag trusted Beatty like a brother, and followed him through the casual motions of life, following the expectation of society. He became suspicious after meeting Clarisse, on both the character of Beatty, and the meaning of life. In the end, he only trusted Saber and the social outcasts he bonded and became one of.
What novel has a more contemporary application? Why?
Fahrenheit 451 has a more contemporary application because in this day and age, people are more drawn to the advancing technology, and the instant knowledge and gratification it provides. Books, on the other hand, are considered old fashioned, and less stimulating, for they take time to develop and uncover. In 2018, the media has begun to censor political opinions, based on political party.
Notes
3rd person limited omniscient P.O.V.
24th century
Television has replaced common perception of family
The individual + intellectual = outlaw
“The hound represents government control and manipulation of technology. Originally, dogs served as the rescuers for firemen. They were given the job of sniffing out the injured or weak. However, in this dystopia, the hound has been made into a watchdog of society.”