Characters
Who is Montag, and what is his job?
Our main character, a fireman in the book who starts to doubt his profession.
True or False: Montag and Mildred have a strong, close relationship with each other.
False
Is the society in this book considered a dystopia or a utopia?
Dystopia
What happened to Mildred at the start of the book?
She tried to commit suicide and was revived by the operators.
At the beginning of the book, how does Montag feel about his job?
He loves it.
Who is Mildred?
Montag's wife
Montag has the realization that if Mildred died...
He wouldn't cry or really even care.
When/why are houses burned in this society?
If the house is found/rumored to contain books, the house will be burned.
What do the firemen do for a living, and why is it ironic?
They burn books. It is ironic because in today's society, firemen extinguish fires rather than start them.
What does Montag realize about himself after his first interaction with Clarisse?
He isn't actually happy.
Who is Clarisse, and what did she ask Montag that stuck with him?
The 17-year-old girl Montag met on the street. She asked him if he was happy.
What significant thing do Mildred and Montag not remember in regards to their relationship?
The first time they met
Name something you can be arrested for in this society BESIDES having books.
Walking, driving too slowly
Who ultimately set the fire in the house, and how did it happen?
The old lady set the fire. The "firemen" had doused the house in kerosene, and the old lady, refusing to leave, lit a match and dropped it, causing the fire.
What is the Mechanical Hound? How does it react to Montag? Name one thing they use it for.
The mechanical hound is a robot dog/killing machine. It reacts aggressively to Montag. They use it to get rid of cats, chickens, and other animal pests. They also use it as a form of entertainment when they bet on what animal it will kill first.
Who is Beatty?
Montag's boss, the firehouse captain.
Who does Montag refer to as Mildred's "relatives," and why does he do this?
He refers to the people in her "plays" as her "relatives" because she spends more time with them than with Montag, and she seems to care about these virtual people more than she cares about Montag, too.
Name three technological devices we have encountered in this society.
Parlor walls, mechanical hound, seashells, ear thimbles
How does Mildred spend her days?
Entertaining herself with various forms of technology: the parlor walls, Seashells, etc.
What is the line in the book that Montag "accidentally" read?
Once upon a time
Who does Clarisse always talk about, and what is one thing that has happened to him?
Her uncle. He has been arrested for being a pedestrian and for going below the speed minimum. He likes to sit around and just talk.
How long have Montag and Mildred been together?
10 years
Name two of the Firehouse Rules that the firemen in this society must follow.
1. Answer the alarm swiftly.
2. Start the fire swiftly.
3. Burn everything.
4. Report back to the firehouse immediately.
5. Stand alert for other alarms.
How does the contrasting characterization of Clarisse and Mildred introduce Bradbury's theme of technology? What message does it communicate? Explain.
Clarisse and Mildred have contrasting relationships with technology. While Mildred is constantly entertaining herself with technology, Clarisse places little importance on technology and instead focuses on the smaller things in life, like the rain, the flowers, and the people she cares about. Because of technology, Mildred's relationship with Montag suffers greatly, while Clarisse seems to have healthy, strong relationships with her family and a budding friendship with Montag. Bradbury is communicating the message that technology gets in the way of human relationships and bonds.
Why was Clarisse afraid of children her own age?
Clarisse was afraid of children her own age because she said "they kill each other" and seem to be generally violent and apathetic.