Essay on Fahrenheit 451 English 10 Honors
We have read the novel by Bradbury and looked at some of the more important elements of the novel. We have also read Neil Gaiman’s introduction in which he explained that Bradbury’s work was intended (as other works like it) to examine what might happen “If this [current trends in society] continues….”
How well did Bradbury do? Did the trends of that time (when Bradbury wrote the novel) continue?
In your essay, you will…
1. Choose an element of the work and explain how it works in the novel to help the reader understand the meaning (theme) behind the work.
• War
• Technology
• Entertainment
2. Look at the SAME element in our contemporary times. The central questions are
a. What is the situation NOW with that element of OUR world?
b. How close is this situation to the situation in the novel?
Trace Bradbury’s use of fire as a symbol throughout the novel. What does it seem to represent in different settings/situations? How do the changes in its use as the novel progresses parallel changes in Montag’s character?
