fahrenheit 451 questions / part four

1. What is the significance of the title of this chapter? How does it contribute to the overall themes of the novel?
   
2. What is the initial mood of this chapter as Montag and Millie begin to read the stolen books?
   
3. The novel is riddled with literary allusions, references to other texts. Firstly, name a minimum of five
   authors or texts referenced in F451. Secondly, explain the author’s choice of works (why did Bradbury
   choose what he chose?).
   
4. a. When Millie questions Montag’s desire to read, Montag explodes. He says, “‘We’ve started and won
   two atomic wars since 2022!...the world is starving, but we’re well fed...Is that why we’re hated so much?...Do you know why? I don’t, that’s sure! Maybe the books can get us half out of the cave’” (70). Why is this the first time Bradbury has given us any indication of the novel’s setting – specifically the time and the place?
   b. What does Montag instinctively hope to learn from books?
   
5. When Montag realizes that Millie will not support his desire to learn from books, he has a second
   flashback of an old man he once met in a park. Explain the significance of this flashback.
   
6. On his way to meet Faber, Montag has another flashback of a time from his childhood when he
   attempted to fill a sieve with sand only to have it continually slip away. He then has the thought that “if you read fast and read all, maybe some of the sand will stay in the sieve” (74). He attempts to read and to memorize the text he is carrying, but cannot concentrate due to the incessant wailing of the advertisements on the train. Describe the atmosphere of this scene. How does Bradbury manipulate our feelings for Montag?
   
7. Faber is an instrumental figure in this novel. He, like Clarisse, awakens Montag’s mind by telling him what it is that Montag feels is lacking in his life, which is not the books themselves, but is quality (true details that reflect life), leisure to think, and the right to act as individuals (79-81). How do the two men propose to change this state of affairs?
   
8. Describe the irony present in the line “‘The salamander devours his tail’” (82).
   
9. What is the effect of Faber’s metaphor in which he describes himself as a Queen Bee (87)?
   
10. How does the actual war (fought with bomber jets) mirror the war planned by Montag and Faber?
    
11. The conversation between Millie, Mrs. Phelps, and Mrs. Bowles is significant for many reasons. Firstly,
    what does it reveal about the women’s characters? Secondly, what effect does it have on Montag and why?