Fahrenheit 451, pages 51-65

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1. What is Beatty’s view of the Constitution? (p. 55)

He agrees with the constitution that all men are not created equal. He says
they are made equal, and that books are full of bad and evil ideas and have
stirred up nothing but evil and chaos.

2. On page 55, he mentions three things that lead to the disappearance of books. What are those things and what does
he mean by each of them?

Writers full of evil thoughts, lock up your typewriters, the public (wanted
them to stop selling). Schools turned out more runners, jumpers, racers,
thinkers, and creators, and the word “intellectual” became a swear word
 because the people dread the unknown. A lot of people felt uncomfortable
with many books and the opinions of authors.

3. Compare and contrast Beatty’s description of society on pages 52-53 with the world today.

In this society, there is shortened to no school, advanced technology, no books/

intellectual knowledge, discipline relaxed, philosophies, histories, languages
dropped, English and spelling neglected, life is immediate (pleasure lies not in
work but whatever happens after), no really politics.

In today’s society, it is the opposite, minus the banning of books. While there is
banning of books and advanced technology, discipline is not relaxed,
philosophies, histories, languages, English, spelling, and other classes are
prospering. New discoveries are being made and science is flourishing. News and
newspapers are traveling fast worldwide, and the study of philosophy is becoming
more and more important by the minute. Politics are mixed and wild, and there
are countless (hundreds of thousands of books) still being sold, despite their
banning.
 4. Is our society too saturated by electronic media (e.g., TV, the internet, iPods, etc.)? Propose a solution to this modern‐
day issue: “The mind drinks less and less. Impatience. Highways full of crowds going somewhere, somewhere,
somewhere, nowhere” (54).

Yes. Most of our media is covered with important news. It would be better if
there were more newspapers stands, bulletins, and posters on the walls and
hallways of populated areas, so that people could notice and take them (the
newspapers) to physically read the news instead of looking it up on their
media.

5. Critique Beatty’s question, “Why learn anything save pressing buttons, pulling switches, fitting nuts and bolts?” (53).
How would you respond to this question? Do you agree with this thought?

He says the only thing worth learning is how to do your job in society. I disagree
with this because learning is healthy for the brain and curiosity. It helps to expand
your understanding of those around you and the universe. It adds to your
personality and you to do any job better. Also learning can help you be a better,
happier, more powerful person.

6. Do you think Beatty knows that Montag took a book? Give specific evidence to support your answer.

I think Beatty knew that Montag had a book. Maybe that was part of
the reason he came to talk to him in the first place, to get him to
incinerate the book before any trouble broke out. However, I am still
unsure. Beatty acted as if nothing had happened.

7. Predict what Beatty and Montag will talk about or do the next time they see each other after Beatty’s speech.

They will probably talk about

Montag having a book.

8. When Montag read the book at the end of Part 1, it reads, “It is computed that eleven thousand persons have at
several times suffered death rather than submit to break eggs at the smaller end.” Find out what book this is from and
why Bradbury would have chosen that as what Montag reads.

The characters in the book are willing to face death and punishment rather than submit
to the cruel ways of the government. That is what the quote means. Montag is similar
to those people in the way he is filled with rebellious spirit and willing to disobey the
government, putting his life at risk, to gain back the wisdom and power of literature.
The name of the book in which this quote is found is Gulliver’s Travels.