Characters & Actions
It is someone who lacks traditional heroic characteristics. In this story, it is Montag. For example, he thinks "[i]t was a pleasure to burn" (Page 1).
What is the antihero?
Mildred reacts like this when Montag tells her about her overdose the night before.
What is dismissing and denying?
They are AirPod-like devices that people put in their ears to constantly blast music and talk.
What are Seashells?
The liquid that firemen utilize to start and strengthen fires that are used to burn books.
What is kerosene?
Places where kids go to beat each other up.
What is a Fun Park?
He quoted Hugh Latimer's 1555 phrase "Play the man, Master Ridley...," which implies that he is actually well-read and educated, but still decides to work at the Fire Department.
Who is Captain Beatty?
This phrase Clarisse tells him sparks Montag's self-questioning, reflection and his realization of the shallow reality of his world.
What is "Are you happy?"
They are 200 feet long because people drive at extremely fast speeds.
What are billboards?
This is the official slogan of the Fire Department, which describes what they do to books.
What is "burn them to ashes and burn the ashes?"
People who come to treat Mildred's overdose of sleeping pills instead of doctors.
What are the technicians?
The metaphor comparing Mildred's eyes to these pale gems highlights the dull nature of society.
What are moonstones?
Clarisse tells Montag she is labeled this at school. It shows how the government has altered different words to manipulate the views of the people.
What is antisocial?
This symbol is present on the firemen's uniform. According to myths, it is believed to be immune to fire and to live in it, which is why it represents the firemen.
What is a salamander?
This founding father is falsely claimed in the firemen's notebook as the first fireman of America, who burned English-influenced books.
Who is Benjamin Franklin?
These military aircraft make constant loud noises that represent society's anxiety, overstimulation and crowded minds.
What are fighter jets?
Montag stealing this from the old woman's house illustrates how he is not blindly following the government anymore and instead is trying to figure out the truth.
What is a book?
This flower exposed Montag's true inner feelings and that while society has made him believe he's in love, subconsciously, he's doubting himself and doesn't really know if he is.
What is the dandelion?
Montag has this behind a grill. It reveals that his government defiance started before he met Clarisse.
What are hidden books?
It's a mechanical robot that mirrors the government, a violent force that is willing to kill to achieve its goals.
What is the Hound?
Bradbury uses vivd imagery to describe books as this in Montag's hands. It symbolizes the freedom of thought and deep emotions books would bring back to society. He also compares the books' pages to wings.
What is a white pigeon?
Montag's "fierce grin" and "fiery smile" are just coping mechanisms to try to seem happy when he is actually this.
What is emotionally unstable?
When Montag tells Captain Beatty the Hound dislikes him, Beatty says the beast doesn't think anything except what they input into it. This reveals that the Hound is a reflection of this.
What are the firemen?
Mildred's request for another of this object (a fourth one) shows her obsession with technology and her misplaced priorities, as she disregards the fact that it is expensive.
What is a TV-wall?
Clarisse asks Montag if firemen did this in the past. It demonstrates how the government has rewritten history to change people's perspectives.
What is putting out fires?
She's someone who represents the small sector of society, like Clarisse, that doesn't submit to what's "normal" and decides to stand up for what they believe in. She achieves this by burning with her books.
Who is the old woman (Mrs. Blake)?