We have an exam tomorrow. If you missed class today, here is a study guide to assist you. If you find that you are missing any of the notes, search through my previous posts and you will find everything that you are looking for.
Remember: to simply look at the plot of Fahrenheit 451 (or any other book for that matter) would be to miss the overall point and significance of the author’s message.
Answer today’s Aim in your notebook to help prepare you for the exam tomorrow.
Aim: What do you believe Bradbury’s overall message is in The Hearth and the Salamander?
Study Guide
Post World War II America
- What’s going on in the country?
- Why are these things significant to understanding the novel?
“If they give you ruled paper, write the other way.”
- Why does Ray Bradbury choose to start the novel this way based on our readings and understanding of him as an American writer?
- Consider how he hated American conformity
Catalyst : What two examples become agents of change in Montag’s life?
- Clarisse
- The woman burning herself alive
Mildred
- isolation
- denial
- conformity
*Keep in mind that Mildred is a small piece of the larger society, meaning she represents more than a single character.
Clarisse
- anti-social
- loves nature
- different from everybody
The Mechanical Hound
- Modern technology
*Consider the following conversation between Montag and Captain Beatty and substitute the word “it” with “modern technology.”
Captain Beatty: It (modern technology) doesn’t think anything we don’t want it (modern technology) to think.
Montag: That’s sad, because all we put into it (modern technology) is hunting, finding, and killing. What a shame if that’s all it (modern technology) can ever know.
What was Bradbury trying to say where we’re going?
The Burning Question: Are you happy?
- How does it affect Montag?
- What things in his life lead him to a conclusion?
Symbols
- Hearth
- Salamander
- Phoenix
Dystopia and Prophecy
*We did extensive work with this. You should know it. If not, make a list of things that you believe are most important to keep in mind. (Hint: Look in your notes).
Vocabulary Words to Know
- Dystopia
- Prophetic
- Rant
- Conformity
- Catalyst
*You will not be asked to define these words. However, you must know the definitions in order to answer certain questions.
Study. Study. Study. Study. Study. Study. Study. Study. Study. Study.
“There are worse crimes than burning books. Not reading is one of them.” -Ray Bradbury