Fahrenheit 451Study Guide Comprehension Questions

Fahrenheit 451Study Guide Comprehension Questions Directions: Answer in complete sentences on loose leaf paper.

Part 1: The Hearth and the Salamander (Pages 5-65)

1. How does the author describe the girl that Montag meets near his home? What is her name? How old is she? What does she like to do? (5-6)

2. What symbols does Montag wear on his uniform? Look up the symbols in a dictionary. What do they represent?

3. What does Montag smell of? Why does he smell like this?

4. What questions does Clarisse ask Montag that upsets him? (10)

5. What does the following quote suggest about the society in which Montag lives? “’I sometimes think drivers don’t know what grass is, or flowers, because they never see them slowly,’ she said.”

6. What kind of marriage do Montag and Mildred have? Explain.

7. What did Montag kick? (10) Why is this significant? What happened to Mildred? (11) Does she remember what happened?

8. Who comes to help Mildred? Why is Montag upset? (12-13)

9. Why does Mildred learn to lip read? (16)

10. What does Clarisse do with the dandelion? Why does this upset Montag? What does this tell us about him? (19)

11. Why does Clarisse go to a psychiatrist? (20)

12. What is the Mechanical Hound? What do the firemen do with it when they are bored? (22)

13. What does Clarisse say kids her age do for fun? (27)

14. How is the book that is lit on fire described? (34).What does this archetype suggest about Bradbury’s opinion of books?

15. What does Mildred say happened to Clarisse?

16. How is Montag’s hand personified? (35)

17. Montag wants Mildred to call Captain Beatty and tell him that he is sick and will not be coming into the fire station that night. Why is Montag sick? (46)

18. Who are the relatives (aunts, uncles) in the parlor?

19. Summarize Beatty’s explanation as to why books have been banned in society. Provide details!” (51-58)

20. What is the rule about a fireman who takes home a book? (59).

21. Specifically, what causes Mildred to “back away as if she were suddenly confronted by a pack of mice”? (62-63)

22. How does Montag react when the door voice calls “Someone here…” Why does he react this way? (64)

23. Know and be able to recognize the figurative language in your novel packet.

24. Know and be able to explain the meaning of the archetypes we have discussed in the novel.