Fahrenheit 451 Pt 2 & 3 Study Guide

Beatty’s confidence and authority

Bradbury uses this passage to highlight Beatty’s confidence and his casual disregard for the seriousness of the situation.

Icarus

A reference to the mythological character who flew too close to the sun, representing Montag's self-destructive act of challenging society and seeking knowledge.

Mechanical Hound

Represents oppressive government control and the dangers of technology as a tool for surveillance and suppression.

Parlor families

Symbolize society’s obsession with entertainment, leading to isolation and the erosion of meaningful communication.

Mildred’s report

Mildred's friends first alerted authorities about Montag, but Mildred herself made the final report.

Mechanical Hound’s description

Describes the Hound as lifeless and threatening, emphasizing its predatory nature.

Granger and the men’s knowledge preservation

They memorize books to ensure knowledge survives even if physical copies are destroyed.

Status Quo

Refers to the existing state of affairs; Granger’s grandfather critiques society's resistance to change.

Montag’s jobs

Fireman, fugitive, member of Granger's group.

City comparison

Bradbury's imagery of the city as a 'heap of baking powder' depicts its complete destruction after the bombing.

Eradicate

To completely destroy or eliminate.

Conjure

To summon or bring into existence as if by magic.

Conformity

The act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to societal norms.

Mildred and Montag's meeting

They met in Chicago; Mildred presumably died in the bombing, though it's not confirmed.

Phoenix symbolism

Symbolizes the cycle of destruction and rebirth, reflecting humanity's capacity for both repeating mistakes and learning from them.

Ecclesiastes and Revelation passage

Montag's reflection suggests a hope for renewal and the understanding that destruction precedes rebuilding.

Montag evading the Mechanical Hound

He masks his scent by crossing a river and using a chemical disguise.

The chase’s conclusion

Authorities fake Montag's capture by killing an innocent man on live television.

Granger's book

A book about the importance of remembering and learning from history.

F451 climax

Occurs when Montag kills Captain Beatty, fully committing to rebellion.

Cassius quote significance

Reinforces Montag’s defiance and transformation from a passive figure to an independent thinker.