One Book, One Springfield: Discussion Questions for Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 - Discussion Questions

1. One suicide and one near-suicide occur in this book. One woman, who shuns books but loves TV and driving fast, anesthetizes herself. "We get these cases nine or ten a night," says the medical technician. Another woman, who cherishes her books, sets herself on fire with them. "These fanatics always try suicide," says the fire captain. Why would two people who seem to be so different from each other try to take their own lives? Why does suicide happen so frequently in Montag's society?"

2. What is Montag's relationship with Millie? Is this a typical marital relationship in their culture? What is the role of family in the characters' lives, particularly in relation to the TV parlor "families"?

3. Compare Millie to Clarisse. What do you think each woman represents? How does Montag's view of each woman change over the course of the novel?

4. Captain Beatty quotes history, scripture, poetry, and philosophy. He is obviously a well-read man. Why hasn't he been punished? And why does he view the books he's read with such contempt?

5. Beatty tells Montag that firemen are "custodians of peace of mind" and that they stand against "those who want to make everyone unhappy with conflicting theory and thought." How well are the firemen accomplishing these objectives? Are conflicting ideas the only source of unhappiness in their society? What other sources might there be? Can conflicting ideas exist even when all the books have been destroyed?

6. Why did Beatty program the Hound to track Montag even before Montag stole the book? Do you believe Beatty had seen him steal books before? Or had Beatty detected a change in Montag's attitude or behavior? Think about what happens in the book that supports your answer.

7. Montag hopes books will save him. Instead they help ruin his life - he loses his wife, job, and home; he kills a man and is forced to be a nomad. Does he gain any benefits from books? If so, what?

8. Do you believe, as Montag did, that Beatty wanted to die? If yes, why do you think so?

9. Once Montag becomes a violent revolutionary, why does the government intentionally capture an innocent man in his place instead of tracking down the real Montag? Do you think the government believed that Montag was no longer dangerous?

10. Granger, who speaks for the group on the railroad tracks, tells Montag, "Right now we have a horrible job; we're waiting for the war to begin and, as quickly, end.... When the war's over, perhaps we can be of some use in the world." Based on what you've read of the world these men live in, do you believe that the books they have memorized will make a difference? Will this difference be for the better or for the worse? What happens in Fahrenheit that makes you think that?

11. How does technology affect the characters in Fahrenheit 451 ? How is that similar to how we live today? What type of technology do you use every day? Do you use more or less than Montag, Beatty, Clarisse or Millie?

12. Although it is often called science fiction, Fahrenheit says a lot about the world as it is, and not as it could be. As you review the book, list examples of the themes listed below, as well as others you notice. Discuss how you feel about the stands the author or characters take.
. conformity vs. individuality
. freedom of speech and the consequences of losing it
. the importance of remembering and
understanding history
. machines as helpers to humans, or machines as hindrances or enemies

13. The woman who burned herself with her books was willing to die for what she believed in. What are you willing to sacrifice for what you believe?

14. If you had to join the wandering group of book lovers, which book would you memorize?

15. This novel was written in 1953; does it seem dated? How would you compare today's censorship challenges with those in the book?

16. After finishing Fahrenheit 451 , what do you predict for Montag's future?

17. Why would society make "being a pedestrian" a crime? (Clarisse tells Montag that her uncle was once arrested for this.)

18. Why did Bradbury choose the medium of science fiction to convey his ideas? What strong social statement is the author making about the future of man in a technical world? What does he feel society and its individuals must do to prevent destruction of the species? If Bradbury were to write a similar book today, what additional measures would he want to warn against that have become obvious in the past thirty years?

- Guide by Alice Jones-Miller, an editor and writer living in Westchester County, New York. Additions and editing by the Champaign Public Library C-U Reading Committee.