Oral Presentation Script

Presentation: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Hi, I’m Connor Williams. For my novel, I chose Fahrenheit 451, a book by
Ray Bradbury that portrays a frightening future where books are banned, and
"firemen" burn them to prevent people from thinking for themselves. The
title refers to the temperature at which paper burns, symbolizing the
destruction of knowledge and the oppressive censorship present in the
society expressed in the story.
Author Information
Let’s start by talking about the author. Ray Bradbury was born on August
22, 1920, in Waukegan, Illinois. Growing up during a time of significant
change in America greatly influenced his writing. He became famous for his
science fiction and fantasy stories, often exploring themes related to
technology and its impact on humanity. Interestingly, Bradbury never learned
to drive because he believed fast cars would take him away from
experiencing real life. This perspective on technology appears repeatedly in
his work. Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 in a small room at the UCLA
library, where he rented typewriters by the hour. He passed away on June 5,
2012, but his messages about the importance of knowledge and the dangers
of censorship still resonate today.
Genre
Fahrenheit 451’s genre is classified as dystopian fiction, a genre that

explores social and political structures in a dark, imagined future. It presents
a society characterized by censorship, conformity, and the suppression of
individual thought, focusing on the consequences of extreme societal control
and the loss of critical thinking.
Plot Summary
To summarize this novel, The story follows Guy Montag, a fireman whose
job is to burn books in a future where they are illegal. At first, Montag is
content and obeys to societal expectations. However, his life changes
dramatically when he meets Clarisse, a young woman who encourages him
to reflect on his life and the world around him. She introduces him to nature's
beauty and the significance of independent thought. This encounter ignites a
transformation within Montag, leading him on a journey to reclaim his
humanity and challenge the oppressive system. The narrative emphasizes
the importance of questioning the potential for personal growth.
Key Passage
For my passage, I chose page 7 of this book, because it highlights Montag's
initial transformation. When Montag meets Clarisse for the first time, she
asks him, "Are you happy?" This question compels Montag to deeply reflect
on his life.
“Are you happy?” she said.

“Am I what?” he cried.
But she was gone—running in the moonlight. Her front door shut gently.
“Happy! Of all the nonsense.” He stopped laughing.
He put his hand into the glove-hole of his front door and let it know his touch.
The front door slid open.
Of course I’m happy. What does she think? I’m not? he asked the quiet
rooms. He stood looking up at the ventilator grille in the hall and suddenly
remembered that something lay hidden behind the grille. He moved his eyes
quickly away.
What a strange meeting on a strange night. He remembered nothing like it
save one afternoon a year ago when he had met an old man in the park and
they had talked...
Before this moment, Montag is living a life of conformity, devoid of self-

reflection. After this encounter with Clarisse, he begins to question his
happiness and the world around him. This passage is relevant as it marks a
significant turning point for Montag, emphasizing the themes of self-
discovery and the importance of independent thought. Clarisse's simple yet
profound question acts as a catalyst for Montag's transformation, illustrating
how seemingly small interactions can lead to profound realizations.
Symbol
For my symbol, I chose a candle. In Fahrenheit 451, fire serves both to

destroy and to enlighten. The candle represents this duality: while firemen
burn books and suppress knowledge, a candle’s flame can illuminate the
truth. For Montag, fire evolves from a tool of destruction to a symbol of his
desire for knowledge and freedom. Just like a candle’s flame, Montag’s
curiosity ignites a rebellion against the oppressive system. This symbol
deepens our understanding of the themes in the novel, demonstrating that
knowledge can either guide us or consume us, depending on how we choose
to use it.
Character Analysis: Mildred Montag
For my character analysis, I chose Mildred Montag, because she

exemplifies the consequences of ignoring books and knowledge. She is
obsessed with her television shows and spends all her time in front of
screens, completely disconnected from reality and from Montag. This
behavior illustrates how technology can numb people and hinder real
connections. While Montag seeks knowledge, Mildred represents the apathy
and blind acceptance common in their society. Her fixation on entertainment
causes her to overlook what truly matters, like literature and meaningful
relationships.
A powerful quote that captures Mildred's mindset is when she says, “It’s
like a book. You can’t put it down. It’s like a movie. You can’t stop
watching.” This statement compares her addiction to television to the
experience of reading a book, suggesting that both forms of media can be
equally engrossing. However, this comparison also underscores Mildred's
inability to appreciate the deeper value of literature. While an informative
book invites critical thinking and reflection, her experience with television is
purely passive and shallow, emphasizing how technology has dulled her
senses and disconnected her from reality.
Mildred’s character serves as a warning about the dangers of escaping into

technology. Unlike Montag, who starts to explore new ideas, Mildred remains
indifferent to her surroundings. This contrast highlights the importance of
engaging with knowledge and the risks of letting technology dominate our
lives. Her character acts as a cautionary tale about the potential
consequences of allowing censorship and distractions to control our
existence.

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Presentation: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451’s genre is classified as dystopian fiction, a genre that

“Are you happy?” she said.

Before this moment, Montag is living a life of conformity, devoid of self-

For my symbol, I chose a candle. In Fahrenheit 451, fire serves both to

Character Analysis: Mildred Montag

For my character analysis, I chose Mildred Montag, because she

Mildred’s character serves as a warning about the dangers of escaping into

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