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?
- Well first of all it's a great way in catching a readers attention. And second of all, it sets the reader to know what kind of person we are dealing with in the book. Since it starts as the character burning books, we can tell that he has the pleasure in throwing kerosene filled flame throwers, and that its his job, although fireman's aren't meant to start fires but to get rid of fires and save kittens from a tree.
2. In the opening scene, why are the books compared to birds?
- Books are compared to birds because birds fly, they wonder off and see new things out int he world, and books they make many see things differently and sets ones thought which leads to creating ideas.
3. Discuss the difference between Montag and Clarisse’s lives.
- Clarisse is this happy girl who doesn't give too shits what people think about her. She's a curious person who always tends to question. Whereas Montag he is this person who is settled in an unhappy life and does the pleasure to burn books.
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?
-No, the technology within the novel does not improve the quality of life for Montag and his wife Mildred because television is all Mildred does, is have her eyes glued to the television. In which creates this separation and lack of communication between Montag and his wife Mildred.
5. Why does the narrator introduce us to Montag at this time of his life, when he encounters Clarisse and confronts Mildred’s overdose?
- Well when montag encounters Clarisse she tends to question alot, like whether he's happy or not, which truly questions himself if he is happy. And then when Mildred overdosed herself, it shows that he's not happy with the way things are turning out in his life.
6. Why does the author introduce the character of Clarisse before Mildred?
-The author introduces the character Clarisse before Mildred because it shows the difference between a happy person and a sad person.
7. Why are all the houses fireproof in this society?
- All the houses in this society are fireproof because that's safety for them and the only thing that sets on fire are books.
8. Why does Mildred require emergency service? What service is provided?
- Mildred is required emergency service because she was intoxicated with pills in which she needed paramedics to pump all the toxic out of her.
9. What is the mechanical hound and what is its purpose?
- The mechanical hound is meant to hunt for those that read books and think.
10. Why does the society consider Clarisse “anti-social”?
- The society considers Clarisse "anti-social" because shes different, unique. She does her own thing and thinks differently than others.
11. When the woman’s house is raided, why does she light the match?
- She lights the match because she wanted to be with her books and die off with them.
12. Describe the relationship between Montag and Mildred.
- The relationship between Montag and Mildred is that they lost each other, they are separated.
13. What is the purpose of Beatty's visit?
- The purpose of Beatty's visit was the Montag was not feeling well.
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”?
- Montag feels "fat" because he is secretly hiding books in which this society he's not allowed to have.
