Fahrenheit 451 - the Hearth and the Salamander

Part One: The Hearth and the Salamander

1. What is the significance of Montag seeing his reflection in Clarisse's eyes?

2.Clarisse causes Montag to recall a childhood memory in which a wish was embedded. What was the significance of the memory and the wish?

3. What two observations does Clarisse make about Montag's conversational mannerisms?

4. What things do the McClellan's do which cause them to be classified as peculiar?

5. What final question does Clarisse ask Montag on the night of their first en- counter? Why is the question important to the plot?

6. When Montag enters his hornet he stares at the blank wall, but in memory sees Clarisse. What extended simile describes how he sees her? What is significant about the comparison?

7. Find two further similes Montag uses to describe Clarisse. Do the similes serve any purpose other than to characterize Clarisse?

8. Describe the bedroom which Montag enters. Whom does the setting characterize?

9. At this point of realization, what happens to the smile on Montag's face, and what is his answer to Clarisse's question?

10. What event occurs that night which provides Montag with an impression of the state of society? What is that impression?

11. In contrast, what does Montag next hear and long for?

12. What test of love does Clarisse give Montag, and how does he respond to it?

13. Describe Clarisse's personality

14. What observations does Clarisse make about how Montag differs from other firemen?

15. Describe the mechanical hound

16. What does "antisocial" mean? What does it mean in the society of Fahrenheit 451? To whom is the term applied?

17. What does Clarisse say people talk about? Find some examples of representative conversations throughout the book.

r8. During the card game at the fire station, what question does Montag ask? What does it contribute to the plot?

19. What is the significance of the refrain repeated by the woman whose house was burned? What did it mean? What is its effect on Montag?

20. What does Montag think his feelings would be if his wife were to die?

21. What are Montag's comments about the people in the walls?

22. What does Montag think