Critical Response to Fahrenheit 451

Using your freewrites and the Socratic discussion in class, respond to one of the following prompts on your blog:

• p. 30 “Do you notice how people hurt each other nowadays? . .. I’m afraid of children my own age. They kill each other.” Clarisse says this to Montag while they are talking. Why do you think there is so much violence in this society, especially with teenagers? How do you you think this compares with your own society now? Explain your answer with a half page response.
• p. 62: “Montag, take my word for it, I’ve had to read a few in my time, to know what I was about, and the book say nothing! Nothing you can teach or believe.” Beatty says this to Montag when he visits him at home. He obviously has read books, so why hasn’t he been punished? Why does Beatty hate books so much? Why does this society accept not being able to read books? Respond with a half page response.
• p. 74: “Maybe the books can get us half out of the cave. They just might stop us from making the same damn insane mistakes!” Montage says this to this wife, Mildred, as he is reading books. Why does call their society a “cave”? Why does he think books can help the people in society from making the same mistakes over and over? How do we use books to help us avoid mistakes? Respond with a half page.
• How does Montag change from the beginning to the end of the book? What is the significance of his change? What caused his change?
• Describe and analyze Montag's society. What is the point that Bradbury is making about his/our society in creating the society shown in Fahrenheit 451?

In your paragraph(s) you must include the following (20 points each):

1. A clear thesis statement that gives your position on the question posed in the prompt. (I should be able to read you first sentence and know which prompt you are answering).
2. Three pieces of evidence to support you interpretations in form of direct quote or reference to the book.
3. Each piece of evidence should include commentary, or an explanation of how you interpret this evidence to support your interpretation of book in response to the prompt.
4. A clear conclusion statement readdressing the prompt and stating your opinion/interpretation.
5. Proper use of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

Note: Since you cannot underline titles in Blogger, place titles in italics.

Due November 21, 2008 at midnight.