Fahrenheit 451
Final Essay Prompt
When responding to the prompts below, use specific examples from the novel to support your
responses.
Choose one of the following topics and answer following the multi-paragraph model to organize
your essay (Introduction with thesis, three body ¶’s, & conclusion). Our standard rubric will be
used to assess and evaluate the final draft of your essay.

What similarities do you see between the world in which we live today and the world
depicted by Ray Bradbury in the novel Fahrenheit 451? Do you agree with Bradbury
that our use of technology is “dumbing us down”, making us ignorant and easily
manipulated, and sending us towards our ruin? Analyze the way in which Fahrenheit 451
is related or similar to our society today. In what ways is our society influenced or even
controlled by the media and/or the government? Do different forms of media (T.V., movies,
radio, magazines, newspapers, etc.) have an influence over the way people think and act
(“Free Speech for Sale”)? How do these forms of media control the actions of the members
of our society? In other words, is our society in danger of becoming the world depicted in the
novel? Why or why not? Select the most important similarities and not trivial and incidental
similarities.

Compare Fahrenheit 451 to Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave”. Do you agree with
Plato and Bradbury’s belief that only a very few can ever achieve intellectual
enlightenment and that these few are the only people fit to rule us? How is Montag on a
quest for knowledge? Describe three ways in which Plato’s “Allegory…” can be compared
to Bradbury’s novel. How does the allegory apply to the events that occur in the novel and
Montag’s quest for knowledge and wisdom? What relevant or important points do both of
these works make about our world today and human nature, in general?

Define the value of books. Do you believe they are as valuable today as Faber, Montag
and the “professors” believe they are in the book? How would our world be changed or
different if books were banned? Consider how Faber defines the value of books. Does his
definition of “quality” apply to media other than printed books? Do you think his definitions
are accurate or not? Explain.

What are the most important/significant similarities between the novel Fahrenheit 451
and the film Pleasantville? Do you agree with both the film and the novel’s depiction of
society? What important universal themes do you find addressed in both stories? How are
the characters similar in both stories? Find direct evidence in both the novel and the film
(examples as detailed as you can describe them) to support your position. What points are
both the author and the filmmaker trying to prove about our own world or human nature in
general through their respective art?
Begin by choosing and topic and formulating a thesis statement that addresses the topic, states
your position on the topic, and gives your rationale for your position (TPR). You should be
able to identify each part of your thesis statement. What is your opinion/answer to one of the
questions posed above? How can you use the text of the novel to support your thesis?