Fahrenheit 451

Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury

The act of writing is, for me, like a fever -- something I must do. And it seems I always have some new fever developing, some new love to follow and bring to life.

Ray Bradbury

Born August 22, 1920, Illinois LA high school-- “student of life” Dark Carnival--1947

Ray Bradbury

Published more than 500 works The Martian Chronicles The Illustrated Man Fahrenheit 451 Something Wicked This Way Comes

“The great fun in my life has been getting up every morning and rushing to the typewriter because some new idea has hit me. The feeling I have every day is very much the same as it was when I was twelve. In any event, here I am, eighty years old, feeling no different, full of a great sense of joy, and glad for the long life that has been allowed me. I have good plans for the next ten or twenty years, and I hope you’ll come along.”

F451

Bradbury’s masterpiece Set in a future world where written

words are prohibited Attack on censorship

F451--Background

Fahrenheit 451--the temperature at which books burn

Written in the 1950’s Based future life on life as he knew

it= visionary Futuristic novel, but has similarities

to our society

Look for similarities as you read

F451--Characters

Faberretired professor

challenges society

GrangerLeader of "Book

People"

Clarisse McClellanyoung girl

challenges society

Mildred MontagMontag's wife

caught up in society

mechanical houndfire station dog

catches criminals

BeattyFire Captain

insists society is okay

MontagFireman

F451--Structure

Each chapter has a title that represents the theme for that chapter 1: The Hearth and the Salamander 2: The Sieve and the Sand 3: Burning Bright

F451--Themes

(The idea or insight about life that a writer wants to share with a reader)

Life goes by quickly, too fast to enjoy it

Thinking for yourself is powerful The importance of books Only having fun can be unhealthy There is hope for society

F451--Literary Elements

Metaphor Bradbury often compares two unlike

things: the suicide pump=snake Simile

When Mildred tries to kill herself: “Her face was like a snow-covered island”

Function: to give the reader a mental picture

F451--Literary Elements

Dynamic Character A character that changes and develops Montag Who helps change Montag?

Tone The attitude or feeling in a work Confusing or disjointed scenes?

Montag is confused or disjointed as well!

“If they give you ruled paper, write

the other way”

Don’t be a Mildred!