Fahrenheit 451: Questions

1.The novel Fahrenheit 451 begins : “It was a pleasure to burn.” Why does Ray Bradbury start the novel in this way? Why might it be more pleasurable to burn books rather than read them?
2. In the opening scene, why are the books compared to birds?
3. Discuss the difference between Montag and Clarisse’s lives.
4. Montag’s television includes headphones called “seashells.”  The “wall to wall circuit” allows Mildred to enter the “play” and, therefore, the television programming. How does the technology within the novel compare to our current technology? In the first pages of the novel,does technology improve the quality of life for Montag and his wife, Mildred? Why or why not?
5. Why does the narrator introduce us to Montag at this time of his life, when he encounters Clarisse and confronts Mildred’s overdose?
6. Why does the author introduce the character of Clarisse before Mildred?
7. Why are all the houses fireproof in this society?
8. Why does Mildred require emergency service? What service is provided?
9. What is the mechanical hound and what is its purpose?
10. Why does the society consider Clarisse “anti-social”?
11. When the woman’s house is raided, why does she light the match?
12. Describe the relationship between Montag and Mildred. 
13. What is the purpose of Beatty's visit?
14. Reread Captain Beatty’s monologue (pp.57-59). Discuss his view that school cultivates anti-intellectual sentiment (p.58). In your opinion does it accurately depict your high school? Do books violate the idea that ”everyone is made equal” (p.58)?
15. Why does Montag feel “fat”? 


ANSWERS:
1.) I think Bradbury starts off this way to catch the readers attention. Instead he will not have to give details about setting, etc. Personally, I prefer reading instead of burning works of art.

2.) The books are probably compared to birds because we know that books are shown as something forbidden, but the women that was burned with her books mean something even more so I would say they are a representation of life? but at the same time its confusing why specifically a  bird? I mean I would understand a bird has a living life but why a bird ?

3.) The differences between Montag and Clarisse's lives are, Montag: is an unhappy married firefighter. Clarisse: she is a young adolescent, being different in her own way

4.) Well technology in the novel is pretty accurate because I use these "seashells" to listen to my music so I would say it's pretty freaky in some way. I would say no, it does not improve their quality of living because 1.) Mildred doesn't even notice the innovations around her b/c all she wants is material things I guess, and Montag is in his own world still figuring himself out I would say.

5.) I think he did that b/c he was doing something he says "enjoys" and later on encounters Clarisse and that is when she changes his mindset of himself specifically, and continuing with his overdosed wife which shows us the negative ideas of his relationship and how he slowly was realizing why is he still here with someone he does not love.

6.) I think he does that so we can get a more clear view of what Clarisse is trying to do or lesson Montag as we know she is a unique adolescent with wise words.

7.) All these houses are fireproof  b/c theyre suppose to not make a mess after they destroyed and burned all those living books

8.) Mildred requires aid for her over dosage on pills and she receives medical attention from paramedics nd it's crew.

9.) The mechanical hound was meant to catch or hunt people I'm assuming

10.) They consider Clarisse "anti-social" b/c we see her as someone not liked b/c of how and what she is, basically b/c she was not like everyone else she was and is unique/different.

11.) She didn't want to see her books die and burn so she chose dying with them.

12.) LONESOME .

13.) Beatty's purpose of that visit was seeing how he Montag was after what he saw and experienced

14.) I think us being shown books at a young age does depict our future not just high school but who we are as individuals having the talent to read which is a blessing to me and I know that other people around do not have the privilege to do that.

15.) HE HAS A SHAMEFUL SECRET HE IS HIDING FROM MILDRED.

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