English 100

Fahrenheit 451 Questions for Study: Part One

Part One: Answer in complete sentences.

1. Who is the author of this novel? In what year was it published?

2. What is the name and profession of the protagonist?

3. Who does he meet one night? Describe the moments before he meets her.

4. In a few words, how does she describe herself to Montag?

5. What is the protagonist's wife's name? In what physical condition does he find her one night when he arrives home?

6. What are the "moonstones" he describes? What is the "black cobra"?

7. What are the two men doing in Montag's home?

8. Explain briefly why Mildred's living room is her favorite place to be.

9. What test does Montag's friend give him to see if he's in love? Is he?

10. Does the mechanical hound "like" Montag? Explain.

11. Describe the game the men who work with Montag play with the mechanical hound. Does Montag partake in this game?

12. Is Clarisse typical of girls her age? Explain.

13. Montag's life is drastically changed by his friendship with Clarisse. Explain how the reader sees this happen.

14. How does the history of firemen given by Beatty in this book differ from the facts in real life?

15. The other firemen were disturbed by the visit to the "book-woman's" house. Explain how the reader knows this.

16. What is Millie's reaction to her husband's telling of his encounter with the "book-woman"?

17. What lengthy history does Beatty give Montag one night at his house? What reason does Beatty give for visiting Montag?

18. What does Beatty say about our culture's desire to learn? What reason does he give for the growth of censorship?

19. What does Montag do with his wife at the end of Part One? How do they differ in their reactions to their activity?

20. What is the name of Part One of this novel? What do you think the title means?

Part Two: Define or explain the following. Give at least two facts for each.

1. "…his symbolic helmet numbered 451"

2. a little glass bottle kicked in the dark

3. a salamander

4. "It had an Eye"

5. "…the blood hits the brain like a mallet, bang…and the brain just gives up, just quits"

6. "Seashell ear thimbles"

7. "Sore stomach, but I'm hungry as all get-out. Hope I didn't do anything foolish at the party."

8. the fourth wall TV

9. "You've used it all up on yourself. That's why it won't work for me"

10. "He says I'm a regular onion. I keep him busy peeling away the layers"

11. "He saw the silver needle extend upon the air an inch, pull back, extend, pull back"

12. "some autumn leaves neatly pinned to a sheet of white paper and thumbtacked to his door"

13. "We…head for a Fun Park to bully people around, or wreck cars in the Car Wrecker place with the big steel ball"

14. "Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, as I trust shall never be put out"

15. "An ordinary kitchen match."

16. "When did we meet? And where?"

17. "Four days ago. I'm not sure. But I think she's dead. The family moved out anyway. I don't know. But I think she's dead."

18. "Guaranteed: One million lights in this igniter"

19. "Technology, mass exploitation, and minority pressure carried the trick, thank God."

20. "It is computed that eleven thousand persons have at several times suffered death rather than submit to break their eggs at the smaller end"