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English 1 CAS
Study Questions for Fahrenheit 451
Directions: As you read each section of the novel, answer the following questions.
“Part I: The Hearth and the Salamander”
1. What do the “firemen” do for a living?
2. In the opening scene, how are books compared to birds?
3. Who does Montag meet on the way home?
4. During his conversation, Montag says that, “You never wash it off completely” referring to the kerosene. What could
this mean symbolically?
5. Why do you think that Bradbury would introduce Clarisse before Montag’s wife, Mildred?
6. Why does Mildred need help when Montag gets home?
7. Describe the help that she receives.
8. Is there anything unusual about the way the two men go about helping Mildred? How is it unusual?
9. How is life in Montag’s house very different from that of Clarisse’s house?
10. How does Mildred react after she wakes up from her previous night’s experience?
11. What does Mildred do all day?
12. Describe the setup of Montag’s TV room.
13. How is Clarisse different than Mildred?
14. What is the mechanical hound and what is its purpose?
15. What is the hound’s reaction to Montag?
16. Why does society consider Clarisse “anti-social”?
“Part II: The Sieve and the Sand”
1. In the beginning of “Part II: The Sieve and the Sand,” Montag remembers Clarisse. Explain his comments about her.
2. Why is Mildred worried about being caught with the books? What does this tell you of her character?
3. What is the meaning of the title of Part II?
4. What is the importance of the dentifrice commercial? (What is being contrasted? Why? Does the commercial exemplify
some aspect of society?)
5. Explain why Montag goes to see Faber.
6. What does Faber tell Montag about the books?
