Fahrenheit 451 Overview

Click on the flashcard to see the answer



Who is the author of Fahrenheit 451?

Ray Bradbury.

What is the main theme of Fahrenheit 451?

The dangers of censorship and the loss of individual thought.

What is the occupation of the protagonist, Guy Montag?

He is a fireman, but in this future, firemen burn books.

What does the number 451 represent in the title Fahrenheit 451?

The temperature at which paper catches fire and burns.

Who is Clarisse McClellan?

A young neighbor who questions Guy Montag about his happiness and society.

What role does Mildred Montag play in the story?

She is Guy Montag's wife, obsessed with television and disengaged from reality.

What is the Mechanical Hound?

A robotic enforcer used by the firemen to track and punish dissenters.

Who is Captain Beatty?

Montag's boss, the fire chief, who is well-read despite enforcing book burning.

What is the significance of the Phoenix in Fahrenheit 451?

It symbolizes rebirth and the cyclical nature of history.

How does Montag change throughout the novel?

He evolves from a loyal servant of the state to a rebel seeking knowledge.

What eventually happens to the city at the end of the novel?

It is destroyed by bombs, symbolizing the inevitable result of a society focused on ignorance.

Who is Faber and what is his role in the novel?

He is a former English professor who helps Montag understand the importance of literature.

Why does Montag choose to read aloud to his wife's friends?

In a moment of defiance, he wants to reveal the emptiness of their lives.

What is the tone of Fahrenheit 451?

The tone is dystopian, cautionary, and reflective.

What event marks the turning point for Montag's character?

Meeting Clarisse McClellan and witnessing a woman choosing to die with her books.