Unveiling Themes and Character Development in Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 Fahrenheit 451 Learning intentions Success criteria We are learning to understand the main ideas, character development and themes of the novel We will do this by Reading the novel Making notes on plot, character and theme Analysing the techniques used by Bradbury

F451 plot Clarisse has sown seeds of doubt in Guy s mind and he is questioning his life and realising he is not happy. He sees his house as quiet and increasingly empty and he realises that his marriage is not the loving one he hoped for. Instead his wife is a shell of who she was and appears to be both dead and alive in his eyes. Technology has replaced human contact (only touch is to activate technology such as his front door)

F451 plot Throughout this section he keeps almost having a premonition that something bad will happen and that things are hidden in his house. He discovers his wife has tried to kill herself. He calls the hospital and people are sent to change her blood using a machine. They lack care and compassion and the whole experience disturbs Guy Montag. He feels jealous of Clarisse s family and wants to be part of it but is not brave enough to approach their house.

F451 plot Mildred wakes up with no memory of her suicide attempt and refuses to listen to Guy when he talks about it. She is too absorbed with her TV programmes and is eager for him to leave. He meets Clarisse again in the rain and she continues to get him to look at the world differently. She questions why he is a fireman when he seems so different to the others. She sees her as a wise person and contrasts her with his wife.

F451 notes marionette show everyone in this society is like a puppet who is controlled by the government, no independence Blood is supposed to represent a character s true self. Mildred does not change at all when he blood is change as she has already lost her instincts and primal qualities Suicide rates are high but nearly all stopped. Shows the level of control in this society as people cannot even have control over their own death.

F451 notes Rain is something that can extinguish the fires, it extinguishes Guy Montag s passion for this regime and brings him closer to Clarisse. Provides a connection to the natural world beyond just uses fire for punishment and entertainment Repressed inner thoughts better to feign happiness than deal with the problems they are experiencing (such as Mildred s depression) Guy and Clarisse see the truth about each other

Period 1 Period 1 1. Finish the tasks for pages 17-35 2. Describe the society that Guy Montag lives in. Try to back up your points with evidence 3. In what way do you think Guy Montag might be starting to change? Give a reason for your answers 4. Continue reading up to page 55 (to Damn said Beatty)