fahrenheit 451 study guide

Guy Montag

naïve protagonist who was a former fireman. feels empty inside

Mildred (Millie) Montag

has no hope with resolving conflicts within herself; feelings are hidden inside her

Captain Beatty

fireman who is full of contradictions. probably used to love books but has to burn them now. wants to control Montag

Clarisse McClellan

free-spirited girl who helps Montag’s development

Clarisse’s Uncle

an educated man who thinks independently of societal standards. influences Clarisse’s way of thinking. through him, Clarisse reaches Montag

Professor Faber

wants to control Montag. is a coward who uses Montag to accomplish things but can be heroic

Mrs. Phelps

friends with Mildred. emotionally disconnected, cries when Montag reads the poem due to suppressed feelings

Mrs. Bowles

friends with Mildred. doesn’t care about her terrible life

Mechanical Hound

a robotic animal that the firemen use to capture and kill criminals

The Handymen

uses a “suction snake” to pump and replace depressed people’s blood. called “handymen” since this is a routine job in F451

The Firemen

all look the same. do their jobs without thinking about it.

The people on the show Mildred watches

meaningless show where the characters say empty words to create “personal connections” with viewers

Granger

introduces Montag to ideas and stories of the past. memorizes books with the group of men he lives with

Simile

comparison using like or as

Metaphor

direct comparison using is/was or are/were

Extended Metaphor

metaphor in a literary work, such as a novel or poem, that isn't just used in one line but is extended over multiple lines or throughout the work

Onomatopoeia

words that imitates sound

Flashback

seeing the character’s past in real time

Foreshadow

drops hints of what may happen in the future

Irony

whenever a person says something or does something that departs from what they (or we) expect them to say or do

Allusion

reference to literary text, person, place, event or another work of literature

Alliteration

repetition of consonant sounds

Symbolization

used to convey the meaning of larger and more abstract concepts

Exclamatory

relating to sudden cry or remark, especially one expressing surprise, anger, or pain

Infer/Inference

an idea or conclusion that is drawn from evidence and reasoning

Dialogue

conversation between characters

Author’s Purpose

reason for or intent in writing

Vivid Imagery

uses sensory details to enhance their descriptions

Personification

giving human qualities or actions to non-human things

Repetition

the action of repeating something that has already been said or written

Conclusion

the end or finish of an event or process

Characterization (direct, indirect)

direct: stated facts about the character. indirect: hints or suggestion about the character

Tone

refers to the mood implied by an author's word choice and the way that the text can make a reader feel

Mood

setting descriptions to describe how a place feels

Oxymoron

contradictory figure of speech

Conflict: Internal, External

clash of interests. internal: man vs. self. external: man vs. man, man vs. world, man vs. environment

Contradiction

statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposite

Theme / Central Idea

the main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary or indirectly

Duality

an instance of opposition or contrast between two concepts or two aspects of something; a dualism

Parlor

a sitting room in a private house

Scapegoat

a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency

Civility

formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech

Empathy

the ability to understand and share the feelings of another

Valise

a small traveling bag or suitcase

Coward

a person who lacks the courage to do or endure dangerous or unpleasant things

Demise

a person's death

Philosophical

relating or devoted to the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence

Contemplative

expressing or involving prolonged thought

Introspective

characterized by or given to introspection

Apathetic

showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern

Somber

dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy

Comedic

relating to or characteristic of comedy; comic

Pertinent

relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite

Dejected

sad and depressed; dispirited

Narcissistic

having an excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one's physical appearance

Enraged

very angry; furious

Resolute

admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering

Plunk

hit (someone) abruptly; put or set (something) down heavily or abruptly

Heave

lift or haul (a heavy thing) with great effort

Indulge

allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of

Ostracize

exclude (someone) from a society or group

Bicker

argue about petty and trivial matters