When you have completed the above questions, you can continue on with this work from Fahrenheit 451:
COMPARING CHARACTERS: Mildred and Clarisse
Clarisse and Mildred are contrasting characters who are presented to the audience is starkly different ways. Clarisse is essential to understanding Montag’s changing perspective and the benefits that independent thought can bring to a person’s life. Mildred serves to show the dangers that come from the type of world where books, knowledge and thought become ostracised.
Read through the following questions and pages of the novel carefully and draw up a table comparing these two characters. Use brief quotes in your answers.
Clarisse: pages 12-17; 18 (clock metaphor);31-35; 41-44; 79.
Mildred: pages 20-22; 55-68.
- How is each character presented to us (the reader)?
- What effect does each character have on Montag?
- What makes these characters so different to each other?
- Which character do we sympathise with more? Why?
- What ideas does each character embody?
TECHNOLOGY: Mildred and the Blood Purifying Machine
Technology is able to heal people physically – it can remove toxins, stop bleeding and cut out infection – but can it ever truly heal people on a psychological or emotional level? What are the limits of technology – when does it stop HEALING and instead start REPLACING?
Look carefully at the the example of Mildred and the blood-cleaning machine on pages 22-27. Use this example (including quotes) to support a one TEEL paragraph answer to this question:
- ‘Technology can be a convenient solution for physical problems, but may not solve our emotional and psychological problems.’ Discuss.
SOCIETY: What is the role of books in Fahrenheit 451?
Captain Beatty provides the rationale for this dystopian society’s decision to ban books. Interestingly, the context of this novel, books have not been banned by dictate from above, but rather as a result of popular opinion. Through this, Bradbury is casting quite a harsh indictment on the effect that popular culture is having on society.
This is a pivotal part of the novel. Read Captain Beatty’s explanation on pages 71-81 very carefully and make detailed notes on the following. Include brief quotes wherever possible.
- What was the process that resulted in books being banned?
- What justifications are offered for the banning of books? Why are they seen as ‘bad’?
- What are people given for ‘entertainment’ instead of books, and what effect has this had on their lives?
- What has happened to thought, discussion, relationships, reason and knowledge in this world?
