<p> Fahrenheit 451 Background Notes</p><p>Author: Ray Douglas Bradbury  born August 22, 1920 in Illinois  moved around the country as a child  settled in LA in 1934, where he lived until his death  loved magic as a child  creativity was encouraged; began writing at early age  first story published in Weird Tales at 20  Published series of short stories and books  Wrote for Alfred Hitchcock Present and The Twilight Zone  Primary focus is Science Fiction  Genres vary: drama, psychological realism, social criticism  Also wrote musicals, produced plays from his books, wrote a screenplay, had a cable TV show, and consulted for 1963 World’s Fair  * helped design Spaceship Earth attraction for EPCOT Center in Orlando, Florida  Won numerous literary awards</p><p>Fahrenheit 451  began as a short story, “The Fireman,” in 1951  book published in 1953  considered sci-fi and social commentary  focuses on dangers of censorship, leading to oppression of thought  Warns of excessive government control, resulting in limited creativity and freedom (damage to society)  Society in novel is a “dystopia”- futuristic society rooted in technology, sacrificing people’s rights for order and harmony  Relates to Nazi Germany’s oppression of intellectualism and knowledge  Relates to 1950s McCarthyism  Book considered commentary on limitations imposed on authors by their editors  Ironically, F. 451 was edited for foul language!</p><p>Setting - futuristic society, year unknown (sometime after 1991) - unnamed American city - books are banned</p><p>Characters Guy Montag - protagonist, 30 years old - fireman, job is to burn books, and homes they’re found in - satisfied with job and life at start of novel - becomes disillusioned with home, wife, career, etc, after meeting Clarisse McClellan - questions himself, then seeks answers Mildred (Millie) - wife of Guy- 10 years - symbol for society – shallow and self-centered - caught up in brainless technology, obsessed with TV programs - seeks escape from reality - not really happy either Clarisse McClellan - 16, neighbor and later friend to Montag - Teaches and inspires him - Antagonist to society- represents the old way - Challenges him to seek happiness and self-awareness - Symbolizes hope for humanity - Represents what happens when one refuses to conform to society’s regulations Captain Beatty - Montag’s fire captain, friend at first; antagonist later Professor Faber - new mentor to Montag - intellectual who disapproves of censorship and role of government but feels powerless to stop it - inspires and challenges Montag to challenge the government’s authority - gives the reader a glimpse into what society used to be like Mechanical Hound - an instrument of the firemen - tracks prey through scent/genetic composition - hunts and kills/immobilizes its prey - Montag is terrified of it</p>