Part One: the Hearth and the Salamander s1

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Part One: The Hearth and the Salamander

Directions: Answer the following questions for the first section of Part One on a separate sheet of paper.

1. At the beginning of the story, how does Montag feel about his job? Give specific examples to support your response

2. What is your first impression of Clarisse?

3. What memory does Montag encounter with Clarisse arouse?

4. What is Montag’s reaction to Clarisse’s question: “Have you ever read any books you burn?”

5. What do Clarisse and Montag argue about? What does Clarisse tell Montag firemen used to do?

6. Explain the significance of Clarisse’s speech about “blurs.” Why are billboards 200 feet long?

7. Why was Clarisse’s uncle arrested? What does this indicate about the society they live in?

8. What question finally offends Montag?

9. What does his encounter with Clarisse remind him of?

10. How does the author describe Montag’s home?

11. Why do you think Montag did not want to open the curtains or the windows?

12. What does Montag find under the bed?

13. Describe the machines. What do they do to Mildred? How do the men treat their “patient”? Why is it so “routine” for them?

14. What does Montag hear after the men leave? What is his reaction?