Fahrenheit 451

F451 Analysis Essay 2020

Once again with the novel as well as the short stories and poetry, we are looking at the book from the standpoint of literary analysis: How does the author create the effect/message/theme of the book?

I’m telling you, Ray Bradbury is definitely into symbolism, motifs, figurative language, character development, juxtaposition, allusions, word choice, sentence structure, tone—all kinds of imagery. I’m just going to decide for you how we’re going to approach our analysis essay:

Paragraph 1: Montag and the Hero Journey Pattern

Paragraph 2: Symbolism of fire

Paragraph 3: Your choice among these motifs—mirrors, snakes, black bombers

I’m going over this as we begin the book because I want you to have an eye on these things as you read.

Paragraph 1: Montag and the Hero Journey Pattern

The basic pattern can be summarized this way:

Separation—from what is familiar to the character

Initiation—series of challenges character must meet

Discovery—of a truth about life

Return—coming back to his/her life with a new understanding—personal growth

Usually, there are mentors—helpers on the journey. Frequently, there’s a call to action. Almost always, the hero crosses a threshold. There are archetypal characters and settings.

We’ll come back to this when we get ready to do the essay.

Separation: Starting to keep the books

Initiation: Clarisse

Discovery: Old woman in the burning house

Return:

Mentor (s): Clarisse, Faber

Threshold:

Archetypal characters: Killed pedestrian

Archetypal settings: River, Desert, Forest

Paragraph 2: Fire symbolism

There are different meanings for fire in literature. Fire can be destructive (of course), purifying, sustaining (warmth, food, light), and resurrecting. All of these meanings are present in the book.

*Keep a look out for the different aspects as you read.

Paragraph 3: Choose one motif (repeated symbol) among these—mirrors, snakes, black bombers. There are tons of others to choose from, and if you want to do one of those, I’m good with that.

*Be noticing as you read.

You are going to need an introduction and conclusion which I’m going to leave up to your creative little mind!

As we begin our study, I want you to think about how increased technology has had a positive and negative effect on human life on Earth.

POSITIVES of TECHNOLOGY

NEGATIVES of TECHNOLOGY

The reason I’m tracking after the use of technology is that this relates to Bradbury’s theme. I’m thinking you might use some of this in your introduction.

The Usual:

MLA Format (which includes double spacing)

600-700 words

Watch mechanics—I will! You’d better not make the mistakes I’ve been pounding on.

No “you.” I’m counting off up to five points for that.

Use transitions.

You MUST HAVE a THESIS statement.

Requirements: Mark so that I can understand.

Absolute (Fingers flying, the students finished their essay.)

Sentence with a gerund phrase as the subject.

CD-CX Sentence

Conjunctive adverb (however, therefore consequently) *Remember: Must join independent clauses–
semi-colon in front of it—comma after it.

Three quotes from the poems—cited correctly

Note: Be particularly aware of putting the comma after an introductory phrase or clause. Also, remember the comma (or not) with coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, for, nor, so yet). You put a comma when the conjunction joins independent clauses. You do NOT put a comma when there are just compound sentence parts.

If you don’t put the comma with the independent clauses and “and,” I’m calling that CE (comma error).