Anchor Text Theme Tracker. Our Big Question. How does Ray Bradbury use craft, devices, and elements to shape the themes of Fahrenheit 451?

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1 Anchor Text Theme Tracker Our Big Question How does Ray Bradbury use craft, devices, and elements to shape the themes of Fahrenheit 451? Themes in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Books are a controversial and important part of our society and our lives. Our reliance on technology can spiral out of control if we let it. Knowledge is joyful and painful. We can be confined by our own self censorship.

2 Craft, Devices, and Elements Author s Craft Literary Devices Literary Elements word choice foreshadowing tone imagery symbolism plot structure figurative language irony setting allegory tension point of view characterization

3 Analysis of the Text Author s Craft/Literary Devices/Literary Elements Text Evidence Meaning in the text Connection to themes irony It was a pleasure to burn. (1) You know, I m not afraid of you at all So many people are. Afraid of firemen, I mean. But you re just a man, after all (5) In this society, firefighters burn books and enjoy it. They are people to be feared. Do you ever read any of the books you burn? He laughed. That s against the law! (5) setting The jet bombers were going over, going over, going over, one two, one two, one two, six of theme, nine of theme, twelve of them, one and one and one and another and another and another, did all the screaming for him. (11) They walked in the war cool blowing night on the silvered pavement and there was the The setting in Montag s home is focused on technology, to the point that Millie is constantly listening to the Seashells radio and blocking out what is actually happening in her life, like dealing with her overdose and the jets that are flying overhead. The setting outside, when Clarisse and Montag are walking, is peaceful, calm, and focused on This relates to the theme about technology. Bradbury seems to make a contrast between the setting when Clarisse and Montag are walking, and the setting inside of Montag and Millie s house. This contrast makes it clear that technology has caused chaos and isolation in Montag and Millie s life.

4 faintest breath of fresh apricots and strawberries in the air, and he looked around and realized this was quite impossible, so late in the year. (4) nature. She was an expert at lip reading from ten years of apprenticeship at Seashell ear thimbles. (16) tension The jet bombers were going over, going over, going over, one two, one two, one two, six of theme, nine of theme, twelve of them, one and one and one and another and another and another, did all the screaming for him. (11) There are planes flying over Montag s house and they are extremely loud and frightening. This use of tension seems to be building toward the theme of knowledge causing joy and pain. After his walk with Clarisse, Montag is feeling very unsettled and thinking about so many things this new knowledge is making him feel lost. One drop of rain. Clarisse. Another drop. Mildred. A third. The uncle. A fourth. The fire tonight. One, Clarisse. Two, Mildred. Three, uncle. Four, fire. One, Mildred, two, Clarisse. One, two, three, four, five, Clarisse, Mildred, uncle, fire, sleeping There is a storm starting while Montag is thinking to himself about what has happened that day.

5 tablets, men, disposable tissue, coattails, blow, wad, flush, Clarisse, Mildred, uncle, fire, tablets, tissues, blow, wad, flush. One, two, three, one, two, three! symbolism the brass and the copper and the steel of the faintly trembling beast (22) Three seconds later the game was done, the rat, cat, or chicken caught half across the areaway, gripped in gentling paws while a four inch hollow steel needle plunged down from the proboscis of the Hound to inject massive jolts of morphine or procaine. (22) The description of the Mechanical Hound emphasizes how the Hound is man made from metal materials. It also emphasizes how the Hound is more than likely programmed to find and subdue people in the society who are not following the rules. This seems to symbolize how advancements in technology can spiral out of control. The Mechanical Hound symbolizes how advancements in technology can spiral out of control. The Hound half rose in its kennel and looked at him with green blue neon light flickering in its suddenly activated eye bulbs. It growled again, a strange rasping combination of electrical sizzle, a frying sound, a scraping of metal, a turning of cogs that seemed rusty and ancient with suspicion. (23)

6 foreshadowing Beatty snorted, gently. Hell! It s a fine bit of craftmanship, a good rifle that can fetch its own target and guarantees the bull s eye every time. That s why, said Montag. I wouldn t want to be its next victim. Why? You got a guilty conscience about something? Montag glanced up swiftly. Beatty stood there looking at him steadily with his eyes, while his mouth opened and began to laugh, very softly. (25) Montag is worried that the Hound is targeting him and Beatty makes a comment that comes out as a joke, but the way Montag reacts to it shows that it is actually true. The way Beatty reacts to Montag shows that he may suspect that something is going on with Montag, and he even seems to be enjoying seeing Montag worry. This contributes to the theme that knowledge is joyful and painful. Montag is starting to be more reflective in his life, but those thoughts are causing him to worry and creating suspicion at work.

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