CVHS Honors English discussion
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Fahrenheit 451
Post #1: Characterization
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Michelle
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So far in part one of Fahrenheit 451, I think the character development is most evident through imagery. For example, Bradbury describes the fire men on page 30 by stating, "These men who looked steadily into their platinum igniter flames as they lit their eternally burning black pipes... these men where all mirror images of himself!" This quote shows the standards that Montag is held to, they are expected to follow orders and perform like clones. This is all shown through imagery that is slowly building up the character or Montag.
I think that it is obvious that there is a significant amount of imagery used in the beginning of the book by the author to establish the characters. Montag is portrayed as "wearing a mask", or pretending to be happy while he realistically is discontent with his life. He appears to have fun during his work, but this is just a display. Clarisse, on the other hand, appears to be legitimately happy as the author describes her as an independent and happy woman. Mildred, on the other hand, appears to be a somewhat lifeless character when she is introduced to the story, as she expresses little emotion and does not seem happy with Montag. There is definitely a distinguishable use of imagery and dialogue that helps to characterize the characters in the beginning of Fahrenheit 451.
Characterization is definitely brought out with a mixed combination of imagery and dialogue. Throughout the first part it is evident that Guy Montag was generally a concealed and closed off type of person. After meeting Clarisse, you gradually see how he changes for the better. He starts to ask "Why? " or "When?" Which brings his characterization to a whole other level. Speaking on Clarisse, she's a very opinionated person and it causes Montag to be uncomfortable, at first. However, thats used to our advantage because we see the power she has as an individual. Mrs. Montag, however, is completely opposite. With her you could use imagery better because Bradbury gives of the type of feeling that she's a nonchalant person who rolls with the punches. Her dialogue with Montag also portrays that she wants no part in rebellion, which again contributes to a nonchalant characterization. So far I am enjoying Fahrenheit 451 and its interesting plot!
In part one of Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury uses imagery to establish the characters. For example Bradbury portrays Montag as someone who appears to be happy with his life while in reality he is beginning to doubt the beliefs he has. Also Bradbury introduces Clarisse as a silly girl who begins to ask when and why things have happened and then mysteriously dies. Finally Bradbury introduces Beatty, who is a mysterious man who seems to know all the answers to Montag's questions.
In Farenheit 451 part one, I am noticing a lot of characterization through dialogue. Guy Montag was at first "wearing a mask" because he was so concealed and closed off. He acts as if he is happy and loves life, but actually is not so content. As you get further into the book, you can tell Montag is interested in when and where things were happening. Clarisse is very opposite of Montag. At the beginning, she's the one making conversation and evaluating everything around her, which made Montag very uncomfortable. She is a genuinely content person and is fascinated about her surroundings.
The characterization of Guy Montag, Clarisse, and Mildred is is distinguished mainly through imagery and dialogue. Guy Montag presents himself to others as a happy-go-lucky person with no problems when in reality, it's all a hoax. It's as if he "wore his happiness like a mask" (Bradbury 9). He's trying to break free of whatever is holding him back from being who he really his. However, Clarisse is the exact opposite (at the moment) who is genuinely happy and inquisitive and is seen when she asks Montag multiple, questions that hold deeper meaning such as the following: "Are you happy?" (Bradbury 7), "Why are you laughing? (Bradbury 6), and "Do you ever read any of the books you burn?" (Bradbury 5). Her attitude and personality help Guy Montag develop into a more open character throughout the book. Mildred Montag is, to put lightly, lifeless and shallow. She engages in a little conversation with Guy Montag and when she does, she cuts off Montag with short and rude replies. These instances of imagery and dialogue help characterize these three characters in Part 1 so far.
In part one of Farenheit 451, Guy Montage is at first described as another mindless person wandering around thier lives. After Clarisse, a spontaneous, friendly girl, enters his life, he beignets to think about his life in a whole new perspective. This is vastly important in his characterization. Montages character beignets to shift and become more like the person he will be throughout the book, a curious, thoughtful man. Those characterazistics will most likely result in his downfall.
In Fahrenheit 451 So far I have noticed that Bradbury characterizes Montag through vivid imagery. Bradbury illustrates Montag's seemingly perfect life, then slowly reveals how imperfect society really is. This helps to characterize Montag's by foreshadowing Montag's change of heart later on in the book. Bradbury helps to shape Montag's real character by introducing Clarisse, who helps Montag to discover who he really is as an individual.
in part one of Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury uses imagery to portray characterization. Bradbury shows Montag as somebody who is living a happy and fulfilling life. Until he meets Clarisse who is a girl who asks a lot of questions and makes Montag begin to doubt himself, his job and his happiness. Later on Clarisse's questions gets her into trouble I believe when she strangely dies. Bradbury introduces a mysterious character named Beatty who is "on the look out" for people who are going against the rules. She already has information against her own family. Bradbury uses impeccable imagery to give you a better idea of the characters and how they live and behave.
In part one of Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury is able to use dialogue to characterize Montag. In the very beginning of the book, Montag loves his job and doesn't question why they burn books. However, after he meets Clarisse, his neighbor, a very different thinking woman, Montag begins to question the morals of society and begins to be characterized as an open-mined man who can understand the different points of view, even from people who act differently, like Clarisse. Montag then starts questioning his job and the morals of his society.
In part one of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, there is a large amount of imagery to establish characterization. For example, with Guy Montag, he appears to enjoy his life and be happy overall. Then he meets Clarisse, who has a very different view of the world. Clarisse's interesting perspective makes Montag start to question life. She is introduced as a curious teenager who spends most of her time thinking about the world and this influences Montag to think about things as well. Montage's behavior around Clarisse suggests that he is more kind-hearted than might be expected of a fireman, due to their daily tasks. In conclusion, imagery is a key element to establish characterization in Fahrenheit 451.
In part one of Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury uses dialogue to show characterization. There is a lot of dialogue between Montag and Clarisse, and it leads to Montag questioning society. At first, however, Montag was just a fireman who didn't really care about anything, until he started talking to Clarisse. After talking with Clarisse, Montag starts to actually think about the world and question things. Bradbury uses good dialogue to portray characterization and even to foreshadow as well.
At the beginning of the novel, Guy Montag was portrayed as a man dedicated to his job, that believed in what he was told, and believed that he was happy. Bradbury described, "Montag's hand closed like a mouth, crushed the book with wild devotion, with an insanity of mindlessness to his chest." He had pleasure in burning books as seen when Bradbury used imagery to describe, "Montag grinned the fierce grin of all men and driven back by flame." The image created of Montag changes later when he meets Clarisse. You can see that Montag's character is influenced by her, for example when he stood in the rain. He becomes different from the conforming society.
Michelle wrote: "How is characterization established in the first part of the book? Consider imagery, setting, and dialogue in your response."In part one of Fahrenheit 451, Guy Montage is described in the beginning to be an average fireman. This is until he meets a friendly girl named Clarisse, who makes him look at his life from a new perspective. The way Montage acts around Clarisse could suggest that he feels something, he may not know what it is just yet, but he seems very kind and friendly to Clarisse. Although, this shift in character could potentially lead to his downfall.
Michelle wrote: "How is characterization established in the first part of the book? Consider imagery, setting, and dialogue in your response."In part one of Fahrenheit 451, characterization is portrayed through imagery. An example of this can be found throughout the first part of the book. Clarisse seems to change Montag's point of view of the society in which they are living in within the first couple of times Montag speaks to her. SH had a different point of view on life then Montag does and after he talks with her a couple of times he begins to notice the things she notices, for example the rain. Towards the beginning of the book Montag seems to have a ruff appearance but once he starts to socialize with Clarisse he appears to become softer around the edges.
So far, I'd say that the setting of this strange society, especially along with Montag's wife really helps display characterization. Montag is influenced deeply by his wife, which leads to others near him, like Clarisse, to be influenced as well. I also think that Clarisse influences Montag maybe even a little more than his wife because in the first two days he knows her, she already gets him to think a little more out of the box. When Montag speaks to Clarisse, he seems to loosen up little by little.
Characterization is perceived through the authors great use of literary elements. The author uses imagery very profoundly because the imagery in this book is usually very descriptive and many times vulgar or sad. When Bradbury describes Mildred's state of being when she takes too many pills it is scary and the reader gets a picture of her in their mind which sticks throughout the book. Additionally when Montage has to burn the lady's house down the reader gets a negative image of montage in their mind.
In the first part of Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury uses dialogue as a way to develop characterization. One example of this is when Montag is talking to Clarisse and she asks him “Are you happy.” Montag’s first response was “Of course I’m happy. What does she think?” A few pages later, after he had time to think though, he directly stated that “He was not happy.” He described this as wearing his happiness as mask and Clarisse took the mask away from him. This shows that he thought he was happy at the beginning of the book, but came to realization that he really wasn’t. This can also hint that he may act differently to try and find what makes him happy.
At the start of Fahrenheit 251, characterization is shown through dialogue. Dialogue portrays very much about a person; especially when Clarisse talks with Montag. She is very comfortable with him, she asks Montag personal questions, and she seems to have known him longer than she actually has. Montag, on the contrary, seems uncomfortable and almost angry at the fact that Clarisse is asking him such personal and critical-thinking questions. Montag also speaks to his wife with a sort of smugness. He doesn't seem as intrigued in Mildred as he is with Clarisse.
In part one of Fahrenheit 451 the characterization is convehyed by his thoughts and dialogue. For example, at the beginning of the novel he is very happy in a sinister way about burning down anything, but after meeting the strange Clarisse, he starts to wonder about the bigger picture in life. Clarisse is interested in the past and the way that things used to be, and she's one of the only people who actually think that way and actually care about people's former way of life. He starts to positively change and thinks why are things the way that they are now.
The characters in the book are characterized using a ton of figurative language, Montag's thoughts, and the narrator's comments. Montag pretends to be happy but when he meets Clarisse who is genuinely happy, he realizes he's discontent with his life. Montag's wife, Mildred, is everything that the government wants. Stupid, easy to please, and unconsciously suicidal. All she does is watch tv and thats totally fine with her and she forgets her own attempts to take her life. Beatty is the chief firefighter who always convinces Montag to get rid of his doubts of society . He also has a very extensive knowledge of literature, which is illegal. He uses his knowledge of books to confuse Montag.
In Part I of Fahrenheit 451, imagery used by the author, Ray Bradbury to show characterization of the main protagonist, Guy Montag. Throughout Montag's life, he had one simple job, being a fireman, and didn't really think much about his occupation until he met Clarisse. The introduction of Clarisse gave Montag's life a new meaning as Clarisse is very different from Montag and is always happy. The personality of Montag before and after meeting Clarisse is altered as Montag begins to question the society he currently lives in. The introduction of Mildred allowed Montag to receive answers of his questions to society. The imagery showed between Montag's personality also foreshadows Montag's transformation.
Michelle wrote: "How is characterization established in the first part of the book? Consider imagery, setting, and dialogue in your response."In the first part of the book, characterization is used mostly in the form of dialogue. For example, Guy Montag is portrayed as a man of view words and is mostly concerned for himself. Throughout part 1 he starts to get a more worldly view and not think of himself when he says things like, "What, was it always like this? The firehouse, our work?" (Bradbury 31). He's now finally questioning the motives and purpose of his work. I hope he keeps on changing throughout and eventually ends all the destroying of books in the world he lives in.
I agree with how imagery is used to show the characterization of these characters but, dialogue throughout shows how Montag is now using the "why and "what" questions. Montag may be thought of as "wearing a mask" but the true indicator that he's changed is through his words and thoughts more than his internal struggles and actions.
I agree with Scottie because in the beginning Montag was a person who enjoyed burning books but now his thoughts and dialogue show that he has changed because now he loves books and thinks that they are very informative. Also he begins to question the "why" of many things that are going on. when in the beginning he didn't question anything
I agree with many of these comments but I strongly agree with how dialogue is used throughout the book to show Montag's use of "what and why" questions throughout part one. Many people say that Montag "wears a mask" like Scottie said but I think that it is just his character development as he introduced to all these new things and information in books.
J.r. wrote: "In part one of Fahrenheit 451 the characterization is convehyed by his thoughts and dialogue. For example, at the beginning of the novel he is very happy in a sinister way about burning down anythi..." I agree with J.R.'s thoughts on how characterization is conveyed in Montag's thoughts and dialogue. His analysis of Montag is adequate and well written. My only comment is that he expands on his analysis a bit more and add more about how Montag is characterized. All in all, it is answered finely and I like it.
I agree with Sydney in that Bradbury's dialogue is effective in characterizing Montag. It is evident that Montag is not comfortable with Clarisse at first because of his lack of true human nature. Throughout his life Montag had been fed countless lies and had been stuffed with useless information by society. This resulted in his character, or lack thereof; that is, until he met Clarisse. She was the first to show him there was more to life than society had to offer.
I believe that Taylor G. was right about Ray Bradbury using Clarisse to foreshadow Guy Montag's change of heart, because later on in the book Montag realizes how terrible it really is to burn books, and Clarisse is one of the main reason's why Montag changed how he thought. Clarisse thought as an individual and shared her ideas with Guy who was very open-minded and began to agree with her about the books and their impacts on their society. Guy then meets with a man named Faber later in the story who agrees with Montag's thoughts. Guy Montag's actions, as Taylor suggested, were foreshadowed earlier in the book by Ray Bradbury introducing Clarisse.
Alexander wrote: "I think that it is obvious that there is a significant amount of imagery used in the beginning of the book by the author to establish the characters. Montag is portrayed as "wearing a mask", or pre..."I agree with statement for a few reasons. I believe it is evident through dialogue and self reflection of Montag. He thinks to himself about conversations he has had with Clarisse and all of which show that Montag is slowly becoming more aware of the surroundings and the wrong he is doing.
I agree with Tyler when he says that Bradbury is using imagery to establish his characters. Without the imagery, it would be hard to truly understand the characters and their motives and feelings. The imagery of Clarisse really grabbed my attention and made me want to get to understand her curious character. Montag also uses a great deal of imagery to explain his changing point of view.
Many of you have really great points and conclussions, but I agree with the students that said dialogue was most important. Even though imagery has a large effect in characterization, dialogue plays an even larger role. Like Scottie and tanner previously said, dialogue portrays how Montag has changed and become to grow as a character. He starts to question and wonder things that are around him that he hadn't paid much attention to before.
I agree with Kayla, when she said it would be hard to truly understand the characters and their motives and feelings. Clarisse is such an interesting character especially with all the imagery she uses. She really gets Montag to start thinking and that really is the beginning of Montag starting actually think about the world and if what everyone is doing is right; however, I still strongly believe that it is the dialogue of Montag that still shows we he is.
J.r. wrote: "In part one of Fahrenheit 451 the characterization is convehyed by his thoughts and dialogue. For example, at the beginning of the novel he is very happy in a sinister way about burning down anythi..."I agree with J.R's statement when he says that characterization is conveyed by one's thoughts/dialogue. A character's development begins with the character's personality and how unique the character is upon his/her's personality. A character's dialogue is based off the character's personality and how he/she reacts within a situation. The characterization through Montag's dialogue by Bradbury shows change within Montag overtime as he begins to be open-minded about the situations around him.
Alexander wrote: "I think that it is obvious that there is a significant amount of imagery used in the beginning of the book by the author to establish the characters. Montag is portrayed as "wearing a mask", or pre..."I agree with Alexander because the imagery that pertains to the different emotions and standpoints of the three characters that he focused on are key aspects that help the reader further understand the text. Montag is "wearing a mask" because he has negative opinions about burning books, but he can't share this opinion because it is frowned upon by the society. Mildred does have unresolved issues that she "puts on the back burner" because she enjoys the way that she is.
Alexander wrote: "I think that it is obvious that there is a significant amount of imagery used in the beginning of the book by the author to establish the characters. Montag is portrayed as "wearing a mask", or pre..."I agree with Alexander because what he wrote really describes how Montag is portrayed during the beginning of the book. He kind of keeps his actual emotions away while he fakes happiness. All along, Montag really seems like an introverted person, but tries to seem extroverted and happy with his work.
Felicity wrote: "Characterization is definitely brought out with a mixed combination of imagery and dialogue. Throughout the first part it is evident that Guy Montag was generally a concealed and closed off type of..." I agree with Felicity in the way that Guy Montag was closed off i n the beginning and then opened up with the help of Clarisse's thoughtfulness and he starts changing for the better after that.
I agree with what Katie said about Montag getting a change of perspective after he meets Clarisse. At the beginning of the novel, he believes he is a happy person, but meeting Clarisse makes him realize that he is not happy and he doesn't know what he is truly feeling. Clarisse helps him get a change of heart toward burning books and he realizes that he must do something to prevent the continuing on burning books.
Kerri wrote that there were too many pretty metaphors for every little detail in the book and found it very distracting. I agree with her. The metaphors were very confusing and were used for very unimportant things and so when I'd try to understand one I'd forget the main point of what I was reading. She also says that she felt no connection with any of the characters except for Montag. I find that to be true as well because he never spends very much time with one character and doesn't develop them at all.
Troy's perspective proves thoughtful and helpful insight when exploring characterization. It is indeed true that Montag knows more about Clarisse in two days than he did his wife the whole time he has known her. Additonally, setting influences characterization because Troy also says the strange setting helps the reader picture this life they al live which is very true.
This is my post #3 regarding the themes of the dystopian books we have read.All the dystopian books, short stories, and poems we've read seem to have the common theme of censorship. In these societies, they have all been oppressed by their government by the use of censorship. By censoring certain things, the protagonists are being restricted from education and knowledge to fight back efficiently against their dystopian governments. Each protagonist in all the pieces of literature we've read have experienced some sort of censorship which fueled their ineffective uprising against their government.
This is my #3 post: After reading many selections of dystopian literature, I feel like most of the time, if not all the time, the theme generally has something or other to do with censorship. With the protagonist being the "only person who can change the way things are!" kind of attitude, this makes these types of books get very repetitive very quickly. Since censorship is controlling everyone, no one has the intelligence to stand up to their oppressors, except for that one protagonist who has somehow escaped the public's brainwashing with seemingly no explanation. The problem, I think, with dystopian books, is that their themes are very rarely different from others, which makes them seem almost like they were crafted from a cookie-cutter; the same.
In part one of Fahrenheit 451, the characterization is portrayed more throughout their thoughts then their actions. For example at first Montag believes that his life is fulfilling and he is happy, but after meeting Clarisse who is an interesting girl who asks questions and makes Montag actually think about what is going on and whether he is truly happy or not.
Mike wrote: "Mike HallGoodreads Post One: Characterization
Guy Montag- A generally interesting protagonist, the book takes a different route within his characterization. Unlike most uncreative heroes, aspe..."
I agree with Mike that in many ways, Montag is not the perfect heroic protagonists as seen in other books, even within this genre. Montag, in the beginning seems content doing his dystopian job of burning books and conforming to society, but eventually realizes that his life is bland, and at that moment begins to change entirely.
