Farenheit 451 Essay, Research Paper
Book Title: Fahrenheit 451 Author: Ray Bradbury Original
date of publication: 1953 Part A.) The Author. Visit the
reference section of a library. Drawing from at least two
sources, share the life story of the author. Discuss how the
author’s life and circumstances may have influenced the
novel. (Use your own words.) Ray Bradbury Ray Bradbury
was born in Waukegan, Illinois on August 22, 1920. Ray
Bradbury is an American novelist, short-story writer,
essayist, playwright, screenwriter, and poet. Bradbury’s first
book that got published was “Hollerbochens Dilemma”.
Bradbury’s most popular novel, was Fahrenheit 451, it was
released in 1953. Ray Bradbury has been awarded the O.
Henry Memorial Award, the Benjamin Franklin Award in
1954. Bradbury was an imaginative child, and being the
creative child he was he was prone to nightmares. I think the
way he thought when he was a child is finally coming out and
he is writing about his fantasies. Source: May, Keith M.
Aldous Huxley. Paul Elek Books Ltd., 1972 Source: Allen,
Walter The Modern Novel. Dutton, 1964 Part B.) The Plot.
In clear careful sentences. Summarize the plot. Try to limit
your synopsis to 300-350 words. This book takes place in
the future, in Elm City. The book takes place around a man
named, Guy Montage. Guy was married to his wife, Mildred
Montage. Guy had an unusual job; it was not to put out fires
but to start them. He would start books on fire, because it
was against the law to read books. The reason the books
were being burnt was because people were afraid of them,
they thought they put bad ideas in your head that you don’t
need, at least that is what Guys boss Captain Beatty
believed. Guy never thought he was doing anything wrong till
he talked to a seventeen-year-old girl, who said that people
weren’t always afraid of books. Then the next time he was
supposed to burn some books, he took one home with him.
Later on his boss Captain Beatty found out, and she said this
was his only chance, and he ignored it and she later burns
down his house, and then his wife left him because of it. All
he had was a book, and with that he fought the society.
Discuss (describe) the scene you find the most dramatic. The
scene I found to be the most dramatic, would have to be
when Guy was on a burning streak, and he got to a house
with a women and a lot of books, she would not get out of
the house so he could burn the books, so he burnt her with
the books, killing her. Share the scene you find the most
amusing. If there is not one, discuss this. The one scene I
found the most amusing would have to be when Guy and his
wife, Mildred were in the house looking at some books
when his boss Captain Beatty, made a surprise visit. Once
they saw her at the door they scrambled around the house to
try to hide the books so she wouldn’t see them, while yelling,
“be there in a minute Beauty”. If you could Change anything
about the plot, what would it be and why? If I could change
anything about the plot I might change the part about
Clarisse McClellan, the girl my age, to live instead of dying
like she does in the book. The reason I say that is because,
she is the one who opened Guys eyes to see that what he
was doing was wrong. Part C. The Setting. Explain the main
setting (time and place) of the novel. This book took place in
a little city named, Elm City. The novel took place in the
future. Does the setting change? How? The setting does
change, it changes when he got caught reading books, from
then on he had to flee his city, and run from the law. Would
the story be effective if it were set in another time/place?
Explain. I don’t think the book would be as effective in the
past or present, because we know the past, and present,
and according to this book, it is not true. What truth about
society or about human condition does this book reveal? In
this novel, Guy Montage has a wife Mildred. Just like in
today’s society they fight. What is different is that unlike
today’s society they still stay together, instead of getting
divorced. The Montages also thought that was the way a
marriage was supposed to be like. Guy Montage is able to
see through the government and the official policies of his
society. He does by questioning everything around him. This
novel represents today how we are influenced by what other
people think. Part D.) Characterization. Using quotes as well
as actual details and plot events, discuss the following: What
is the protagonist’s (main characters) physical appearance?
Throughout the book the main character, Guy Montages
appearance isn’t really stated throughout the book. What
kind of person is he/she? During the beginning of the novel
Guy appears to be a ruthless person, burning houses down.
As he stood, “with this great python spitting its venomous
kerosene upon the world, the blood pounded in his head. . .”
It is not till he meets the seventeen-year-old girl that he
realizes what he is doing is wrong. From then on he changes
into a passionate person and changes his old ways. Who
offers the most conflict for the protagonist? Describe
him/her. What is the conflict? The person that caused Guy
the most trouble would have to be his wife, Mildred. She
thinks of herself, and has to have it her way, just like in the
book when Guys boss burnt their house down and she had
to have it her way so she left him. Many writers make the
use of stereotypes in their novels to add texture/ dimension/
familiarity to their work. Discuss/ describe a minor character
in the novel. What does he/ she bring to the novel (humor,
drama, contrast, controversy…)? A minor character would
be Mildred; she brings hate to the novel. She also causes
change to Guy; she causes him to have hate towards others
and to get every thing you want. Another minor character
bringing change to the novel would be the
seventeen-year-old girl named, Clarisse McClellan. She
causes change to Guy buy changing the way he thought and
help him open his eyes. Is this stereotype DYNAMIC
(one-dimensional but changing) or STATIC
(one-dimensional and unchanging)? This stereotype is
DYNAMIC. Which character do you empathize with the
most? Explain. If I had to pick a character that empathizes
the most with me, it would have to Guy Montage. Because
throughout his life he believes that what he is doing with the
books is right, but he finds out that it isn’t, and he has to
change everything that he believes, and live a new life from
what he is living now. I had a similar change and it changed
my life, the way I believed on certain topics. Which
character do you dislike the most? Why? The character I
dislike the most would have to be Mildred Montage,
because she is so selfish and has to get whatever she wants.
If you were handed a $250,000,000 budget and the services
of Steven Spielberg as director, who would you cast as the
main characters in your film version of the book? Why? (Use
actors, not friends) I would cast Jim Carrey, and Pamela
Anderson. Jim Carrey as Guy Montage, and Pamela
Anderson as Mildred Montage. These two would be perfect
for this book, Jim bringing laughter, and Pamela bringing the
looks, therefore making this film a hit. Part E. Style,
Structure, and Meaning. Locate any or one detail or element
that functions symbolically in this novel. Wheather it be a
color, an object, or an action, describe it and discuss what
you believe it stands for. One object that functions symbolic
in this novel are mechanical dogs. Today we characterize
dogs as mans best friend, but in this novel they are seen as
enemies. This describes are society and how it messed up.
One thing I learned from this novel is that we are never
satisfied with life, but life still goes on. Discuss the
significance of the book’s title. The significance of the books
title is 451 degrees is the temperature at which books burn.
Part F. Your Opinion. In two to three paragraphs, share
your reaction to this novel. In closing, explain whether you
would recommend it to your friends. My reaction to this
novel is that the future wont be as extreme as the book has
it, but something in life might replace the book, such as the
computer, or maybe an advanced calculator. I don’t think
that just because one person believes that books are bad,
that everyone should think the same, as they do in the book.
This book, if I had to rate it, it would be some were around
8 because it had some cool parts, but it also had some dumb
parts. Over all I thought the book was good and I would
recommend it to one of my friends.