Introduction to Fahrenheit 451

by Ray Bradbury

“The Big Read” Fahrenheit 451 Radio Broadcast

As we listen to the radio broadcast, you should read along in the transcript and make notes about the answers to the following questions.

1. What was Bradbury’s 1^st introduction to censorship?

2. At age 27, Bradbury “graduated from the library.” What does this mean?

3. Why were the histories of burned libraries and book burnings so significant to Bradbury?

4. What is the turning point that Bradbury identifies as being the reason for Guy Montag’s change?

5. What is the threat that Bradbury suggests of technology in our society? What is interesting about Bradbury’s lifestyle in regards to technology?

6. According to Paquito D’Rivera, why is literature “as dangerous as jazz music”? (As addressed in Fahrenheit 451)

7. What does it mean to “keep your consciousness awake”? How does this relate to freedom?