Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Group Discussion #1: Fahrenheit 451
During our first group discussion, many interesting ideas were brought up. We all seemed to have the same thoughts on what was going on in the story. The biggest part of the discussion was on the books, and why they were being burned. We were all a little bit confused when we heard that the houses were fireproof. Is that possible? How didn't the house catch on fire when the books were being burned? And we wondered why Clarisse was so different from everyone else. She thinks about things. Montag and even his wife don't think at all, its almost like they don't have a brain. Within the group, we decided that the people in this world have no feelings and don't listen to anyone. We came up with this because of when Clarisse was talking to Montag and was telling him how she listens to people and all. However, it's only Clarisse who does this. She was also the only one who thought that firemen put out fires instead of start them. Is she from the past? If she is, how did she end up in this crazy world? Aside from Clarisse, it's almost like everybody in the world is hypnotized. No one really thinks for themselves or asks any questions. None of them are independent either. These people are different and mixed up.
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5 comments:
It sounds like many great ideas and questions were raised. I don't know where to start.
But remember we discussed how dystopian novels are typically written as a warning about our own society? What does it say about a society which is "advanced" enough to create fireproof houses and all the other technology, but bans books and front porches?
Is Clarisse from the past? Why is the past important in this novel?
Good job and keep reading and thinking.
Morgan,
I think that you have brought up many good ideas in your post. One idea I liked was "How didn't the house catch on fire when the books were being burned" It doesnt make sense that they are burning books and the house that the books are in. Yet the houses are firer prof. Also the thought that the whole town is hypnotized is great. SO far in the book the only person who seems to have a mind of her own is Clarisse.
Morgan,
I have the same ideas and questions about the book as the ones you posted in your blog. I have also wondered why Clarisse is different, and how it is possible that she would know about the past. I think her family is different, and maybe they tell her about how things used to be before they were living in the world they are living in. I've also been wondering what has happened to Clarisse? Did she move somewhere , or die??
morgan,
I completely agree with what you said about the whole book thing. But you need to remember that this is a dystopia so things are going to be different. When my group discussed the first time we were also wondering about Clarisse and the way she acted compared to everyone else. She does seem different and she does think more about things then everyone else does. Why do you think that is?
Hey morg. In the begining i was a bit confused on that as well. I don't know how houses could ever be fire proof, but I think that its something that has to do with the utopia and distopia. I never thought about the characters not having feelings but thats a good point. I think that it was weird how they weren't frightened even as they walked close to midnight together, meeting randomly. The girl especially I would expect to feel a bit creeped out, but she didn't. I think that as we read on we will be introduced to something unique about her, as you mentioned
"She was also the only one who thought that firemen put out fires instead of start them."
I have a feeling that Clarisse will become a misterious part of the book. Now a days fires are put out and not started, which makes me think that she somehow knows of the future.
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