AP Language and Composition (APLAC) Summer Reading for Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Through Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury aims to expose a number of societal flaws—flaws that he
observed in America during the 1950s (when he wrote the novel) and that he feared would only
increase if our culture insisted on progressing in a similar fashion. Below are, arguably, the three
primary flaws (themes) Bradbury hopes to disclose to his readers.



When a primary goal of a society is to manufacture happiness by avoiding conflict, there will be an
inevitable watering down or dumbing down of literature and other arts.
A possible byproduct of a society that depends too heavily on technology is the disconnection of
its members from one another.
When the main aim of a society is simply to fill people with information and not to foster individual
thought, then education becomes more about conformity than creativity.
After you’ve read Fahrenheit 451, choose one of these themes. At the beginning of the school year,
we will write an in-class essay in which you will be asked to respond to the theme you have chosen.
In preparation for this essay, you need to complete the following:
1. Select and explain how at least four pieces of evidence from the novel point to this particular
theme.
Here is an example of what I’m looking for. (For the sake of modeling, I have chosen a theme
not listed above: When our work becomes automated by machines, we lose a sense of
satisfaction, even personal identity, that comes with careful crafting.)

Evidence: Granger shares with Montag his grandfather’s observations that “it doesn’t
matter what you do…so long as you change something from the way it was before you
touched it into something that’s like you after you take your hands away” and that
“the difference between the man who just cuts lawns and a real gardener is in the
touching” (156-157).

Explanation: Granger’s grandfather’s observations indicate that, if there is to be any
real satisfaction in our work, we humans need to be directly involved in the labor,
engaged in actual creation, leaving our personal imprint on the objects of our work.
2. Think of a personal experience (or even your observations of modern-day society, especially
high school) that connects to this theme. Write a paragraph (5 sentences minimum) in which
you specifically explain the connection.
3. Think of a movie you’ve seen or another book you’ve read that connects to this theme. Write
a paragraph in which you specifically explain the connection.
4. Locate two recent (within the past five years) articles from a credible source that, in some
clear way, touch on this theme. Print off and annotate (using the how-to guidelines) the
articles you’ve located.
Bring the above items with you to the first day of class. Complete the work in dark blue or black ink.