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Fahrenheit 451 - Need help for school

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15 February 2004, 03:28 PM
Smarties
Fahrenheit 451 - Need help for school
Hey yall..hope u guyz are good..
Well can you guys please give me ideas about what to write for my essay. Am suppose to read Fahrenheit 451 for school, and read the biography of Ray Bradbury. I need to find things on how the society he lived in influenced him into writting this book. I also need help on what the book is trying to tell society. I started reading the book but its very hard for me to understand. I will really appreciate it if u guys help me. Thank Smarties
15 February 2004, 06:06 PM
grasstains
Finish reading the book.
15 February 2004, 10:21 PM
Nard Kordell
"Smarties:::!!! "

""...very hard for me to understand...""!!
Well, it's time to live up to your name.

'grasstains' got the right idea....
15 February 2004, 10:56 PM
Mr. Dark
I don't believe grasstains and Nard are just being cantankorous. You need to read the book and pull your own ideas out of the reading itself. Then you reflect on what YOU got out of the book. Try to look for repeated patterns and symbols. Look at character development. Look at statements about society.

In some editions of F451, there are afterwards and/or introductions that are written by Ray. Read those. Cliff's notes has some stuff on F451 that provides (obviously) thematic elements, etc. Also, in the last couple years a few books have come out that collect critical commentary on the book and it's themes.

But you really do need to carefully read the book. If the assignment is to also read the biography, then you need to do that, also.


[This message has been edited by Mr. Dark (edited 02-15-2004).]
16 February 2004, 12:12 AM
Ought Not
I had a hard time finding Bradbury's cadence when I started reading this book too. I remember thinking, What in the world is wrong with this man's wife? What is that thing in her ear? My advice would be if you're having problems would be to ask the teacher. You can ask after class. Just remember to keep the book so you can read it later. That is what's most important.
16 February 2004, 02:27 AM
grasstains
Smarties- I also had a hard time at the beginning of the story, first 30-40 pages. After the second meeting with Clarrisse is where I felt the "The Bradbury Effect". Stick with it, finish reading the book, then do the research. A glorious path lies before you and the riches of the universe await you.
01 April 2004, 04:20 PM
unclepruni
look... this book is indeed very confusing at times but u must remember that sci-fi is that way. the whole reason Ray Bradbury got started on this whole "writing sci-fi" was because when he was a boy he used to be intrigued by the sci-fi movies that he would watch. Now im not that sure what the whole message of this story was supposed to be but i think it is that knowledge IS NOT dangerous and in this book it is impling that it is. and as you see by the outcome it isnt... so i think it is trying to say that knowledge is not something that will hurt people in that way and that books have nothing to do with wrongful society. But seriously besides what i know it would be best to talk to Ray himself ... send him an e-mail.. im gonna go... so maybe ill hear from you later... bye... and good luck at school!!