F451 STUDY GUIDE PART 3
Where do the firemen arrive at the start of this section, and why is it described as a
'carnival'? - Answers- -Much to Montag's shock, they arrive at his and Mildred's house.
People come out of their houses to witness the burning, and this is compared to a
carnival: doing so gives the event an air of excitement and intrigue; it also points to the
fact that people have become so accustomed to the oppression and violence; they even
see it as entertainment.
What does Mildred's leaving, and the way she does so, tell us about her character? -
Answers- -Mildred is extremely self-centered; so much so that she reports her own
husband, burning her life and home in the process, just to save herself. She has
become so disconnected from real, human connection that she doesn't even say
goodbye to Montag: just leaves in a hurry mumbling "poor family" in reference to the TV
parlor characters: she is more concerned about them than she is her real-life husband.
Bradbury presents Mildred as a true victim of the society she lives in: vapid, shallow,
and emotionally disconnected.
Beatty says, "There are no consequences and no responsibilities. Except that there are.
But let's not talk about them, eh? By the time the consequences catch up with you, it's
too late, isn't it, Montag?" How might these words be relevant to an issue within your
own society, today? Explain fully. - Answers- -
Montag is nearly killed by young people driving extremely fast: what does this event
illustrate about the violence of their society? - Answers- -The youth in their society
seem to be constantly pursuing cheap thrills and fast rides: even if it comes at the cost
of violence or death. Young people seem so disconnected from their humanity that they
are immune from the violence around them, they are willing to see death as a sport, and
they place very little value on human life.
During the chase scene, people are completely glued to their TVs. How is mass media
used in this society to entertain, distract, and mobilize people? You should fully explain
each of the three purposes. - Answers- -People watch the chase on their TVs, and
Bradbury describes it as "the big game, the hunt, the one-man carnival". People clearly
enjoy the thrill of the pursuit, and watch it as they might watch a sporting match or circus
show.
-Moreover, it is stated that, "the circus must go on, even with the war beginning within
the hour" which clearly illustrates that this chase provides people with a wonderful
distraction from the horror of reality; this works well for the authorities, as it keeps them
happy and unquestioning.
-Finally, when the authorities are struggling to catch Montag, people are actually
physically used to help find him: from their TVs and radios they are instructed to look
out and hunt in with them.
Where do the firemen arrive at the start of this section, and why is it described as a
'carnival'? - Answers- -Much to Montag's shock, they arrive at his and Mildred's house.
People come out of their houses to witness the burning, and this is compared to a
carnival: doing so gives the event an air of excitement and intrigue; it also points to the
fact that people have become so accustomed to the oppression and violence; they even
see it as entertainment.
What does Mildred's leaving, and the way she does so, tell us about her character? -
Answers- -Mildred is extremely self-centered; so much so that she reports her own
husband, burning her life and home in the process, just to save herself. She has
become so disconnected from real, human connection that she doesn't even say
goodbye to Montag: just leaves in a hurry mumbling "poor family" in reference to the TV
parlor characters: she is more concerned about them than she is her real-life husband.
Bradbury presents Mildred as a true victim of the society she lives in: vapid, shallow,
and emotionally disconnected.
Beatty says, "There are no consequences and no responsibilities. Except that there are.
But let's not talk about them, eh? By the time the consequences catch up with you, it's
too late, isn't it, Montag?" How might these words be relevant to an issue within your
own society, today? Explain fully. - Answers- -
Montag is nearly killed by young people driving extremely fast: what does this event
illustrate about the violence of their society? - Answers- -The youth in their society
seem to be constantly pursuing cheap thrills and fast rides: even if it comes at the cost
of violence or death. Young people seem so disconnected from their humanity that they
are immune from the violence around them, they are willing to see death as a sport, and
they place very little value on human life.
During the chase scene, people are completely glued to their TVs. How is mass media
used in this society to entertain, distract, and mobilize people? You should fully explain
each of the three purposes. - Answers- -People watch the chase on their TVs, and
Bradbury describes it as "the big game, the hunt, the one-man carnival". People clearly
enjoy the thrill of the pursuit, and watch it as they might watch a sporting match or circus
show.
-Moreover, it is stated that, "the circus must go on, even with the war beginning within
the hour" which clearly illustrates that this chase provides people with a wonderful
distraction from the horror of reality; this works well for the authorities, as it keeps them
happy and unquestioning.
-Finally, when the authorities are struggling to catch Montag, people are actually
physically used to help find him: from their TVs and radios they are instructed to look
out and hunt in with them.
