Fahrenheit 451 Theme Assignment

Fahrenheit 451 Theme Hand-Out

Theme Statement: People should take action rather than watch a society falter and possibly crumble.

Timeline:

Part 1:

“Is it true that long ago firemen put fires out instead of going to start them?” (Bradbury 12).

“Montag hesitated. “Was--was it always like this? The firehouse, our work? I mean, well, once upon a time…” (Bradbury 38).

“You weren’t there, you didn’t see,” he said. “There must be something in books, things we can’t imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don’t stay for nothing” (Bradbury 54-55).

Part 2:

“This afternoon I thought that if it turned out that books were worthwhile. We might get a press and print some extra copies--”(Bradbury 81).

“Go home and think how it all happened and what did you ever do to stop it? Go home, go home!” (Bradbury 98).

Part 3:

“And then he was a shrieking blaze...no longer human or known, all writhing flame” (Bradbury 113).

“We all made the right kind of mistakes, or we wouldn’t be here...You want to join us, Montag?’

‘Yes” (Bradbury 143).

How the theme improves understanding of story:

Throughout the story, Montag displays his self-willed nature, by questioning society at first, which later progresses to him taking an active stance against the government, and acting out against their laws in an attempt to fight for what he believes in.

How the theme connects to modern day society:

In a society in which there are injustices present, the only way change can be brought about is through individuals standing up for what they think is right, and many cases in  modern day show that society, those who take action are the ones who ensure that society won’t deteriorate to a worse state.