Ray Bradbury 1920 – 2012 American Science Fiction and Horror Author
• Ray Douglas Bradbury was born in Waukegan, Illinois, on August 22, 1920.
• Between 1926 and 1933, the Bradbury family moved back and forth between Waukegan and Tucson, Arizona. In 1931, young Ray began writing his own stories on butcher paper.
• In 1934, the Bradbury family moved to Los Angeles, California.
Biography • Bradbury's formal education ended with his high school graduation in 1938.
• Bradbury's reputation as a leading science fiction writer was finally established with the publication of The Martian Chronicles in 1950.
Biography • Bradbury was one of the most commonly recognized science fiction writers of all time.
• Ironically, Bradbury hated being identified as a science fiction writer because he hated modern technology.
• He never even owned a computer or drove a car .
Biography • Bradbury’s stories do not rely on the use of futuristic technology (robots, flying cars, etc.)
• Instead, he chooses to explore the impact of scientific development on human lives.
• His stories warn against becoming too dependent on science and technology at the expense of moral and aesthetic concerns.
Background 1947: Dark Carnival 1953: Fahrenheit 451 1957: Dandelion Wine 1962: Something Wicked this Way Comes 1997: Dogs Think that Every Day is Christmas 2001: From the Dust Returned
Popular Writings
• Written in 1953
• Genre – Science Fiction
• Setting – Time – 23th Century
• Setting – Place – Unknown City
• Point of view – Third Person Limited
Fahrenheit 451 • Fahrenheit 451 is a futuristic novel that focuses on what would happen if all books were banned and censored.
• The firemen in this novel do not put fires out; instead, they start fires by burning books because the written word has been banned by the government.
• The people in this book revolve their lives around watching TV, constantly listening to the radio, and driving fast cars.
Fahrenheit 451 Guy Montag: A fireman
Protagonist Captain Beatty: The captain of Montag’s fire department
Antagonist Mildred (Linda) Montag: Guy Montag’s wife
Other Characters Clarisse McClellan: a beautiful, young girl who opens Montag’s eyes to a whole new world full of meaning and beauty
Other Characters
The Hearth and the Salamander
Both the hearth and the salamander symbolize fire.
A hearth is a fireplace and traditionally represents the home. In mythology, the salamander could live in fire and not be harmed.
- An image of a salamander is on the sleeve of their uniform. - Salamander is also the name of Montag's fire truck.
The Sieve and the Sand The title of the second part of Fahrenheit 451 symbolizes Montag's effort to learn as he reads. Sand is knowledge that eludes him. The sieve is his mind trying to make the knowledge permanent. The Phoenix
The phoenix is a mythological bird who bursts into flames at death and rises from the ashes born again.
The phoenix represents Montag's spiritual rebirth, society's attempt to rediscover itself, and the cyclical nature of life. Revelations 22:2
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• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLuDOEuwwso
Author Biography