When studying Fahrenheit 451, students invariably question the fate of the woman who cherishes her leather-bound books. Like the sixteenth-century martyrs to whom Beatty refers, the woman probably hopes that her rejection of the government’s oppressive system, which includes book burning, will change her world. Beatty quotes the words that Hugh Latimer spoke to Nicholas Ridley as both men were burned at the stake for heresy in 1555. These men wanted to spread the Protestant religion throughout England during the reign of Queen Mary who unsuccessfully attempted to eradicate Protestantism in England. Bishops Latimer and Ridley were martyred for their beliefs. It’s important to read this section to the class so that young people grasp the horror of it all. Bradbury’s words should make them want to go home and read.

Young people don’t always understand the reason for Beatty’s fate. Bradbury appears to suggest that the fire chief has become sickened by his job and wants to end it all.  Students also question why Bradbury inserts the incident about Montag’s brush with death. It conveys an attitude that results from the state’s indoctrination of its citizens—an utter lack of respect for human life. Students tend to question why an innocent victim is killed. The police must save face by televising the rebel’s alleged death, or they’ll have mass rebellion on their hands.

The class should appreciate the implicit contrast between a world devoid of books and the tiny community of scholars who treasure books. The mythical phoenix to which Granger alludes symbolizes the scholars’ work. As the phoenix bird dies and rises from its ashes to live again, so man always rises from the ashes to redefine his culture. Young people should take note that the book Montag steals is the Bible that he starts to memorize, and the novel ends with his memorizing verses from Ecclesiastes and Revelation [Eccles. 3:1,3; Rev. 22:2].

Most freshman students are affected by this novel. It teaches them to value good literature and a good education. The elderly English professor Faber talks to Montag (often via ear radios) about mankind’s need of books that have value, in other words, books that reveal truths about life. Take the opportunity to impress teenagers with the importance of reading good literature rather than much YA fiction currently available.

The class should grasp Bradbury’s implication in his coda about a cultural atrocity, abridged books. The day about which Bradbury so eloquently prophesied is upon us. Public libraries, school libraries, and bookstores display many rewritten or abridged books on their shelves. Some young people begin to get the point, but what can they do about it? Plenty. Keep on reading. “I don’t like reading.” Read until you do like it. Read until you can’t survive without books. Talk to your friends and parents about books. “I can’t find books I like.” Parents and librarians will assist you. You can refer to a reading guide that will help you pick books that suit your interests. (Some years ago, my daughter Jane Scott and I published a reading guide, The Book Tree: A Christian Reference for Children’s Literature, that helps young people of all ages to select books to read that they enjoy. See earlier blog.) Some students understand Bradbury’s message. A few of them will ponder his terrifying implications.

Freshman students may not scratch the surface of the novel’s meaning, but some of them will begin to appreciate Bradbury’s prophetic warning and transfer to upper high school classes with a clearer sense of books’ importance to their well-being. Above all, they should understand how Fahrenheit 451 relates to today’s world and how it indicates disturbing trends in contemporary culture. Armed with this knowledge, some of them may eventually attempt to thwart the anti-intellectualism of our culture. Tell the class that Ray Bradbury was a prolific writer. He wrote many novels and dozens of short story collections. In one of these collections, he explored the central idea that he disturbingly dramatized in Fahrenheit 451—the appalling reality of censorship and ignorance. Some young people may decide to read these macabre tales. They are titled A Pleasure to Burn.

At the end of the unit on this novel, give students some fascinating information Bradbury shares with his readers. He wrote Fahrenheit 451 in a typing room in the basement of the library at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). He shoved dimes into one of the typewriters as he feverishly typed. He completed his book in nine days.

Note to teachers:

Review questions and tests on this novel and other literature I discuss are included in my “How to Teach Lit” books available on my website.