Thursday, March 17, 2016

Play the Man: March 17, 2016

Focus: What are the characters sacrificing? Which ones are aware that they're making a sacrifice? Is it better to be aware or unaware?

1. Sketching our first encounters with Clarisse (p.5-7), then Mildred (p.11-14)
  • Opening to those pages, finding three significant words or phrases for each, then brainstorming their connotations.
  • Make a statement about how Bradbury's language characterizes each woman (finding the larger pattern).
  • Why do we meet Clarisse first?

2. Trying the same connotation exercise with Beatty and the other firemen (p.32-34)
  • Sketch, then find significant words and phrases from these pages. Brainstorm their connotations.
  • Make a statement (or ask a question) about how Bradbury's language characterizes Beatty?
  • What did you notice that maybe no one else did? Try posting this or your above statement on today's class blog to kick off discussion.
3. Fishbowl Discussion #2: Pages 28-40 of F451

5. Wrapping up: Responding to the focus questions at the tippy top of today's blog.

HW:
1. We will have a vocabulary activity tomorrow; it helps to be familiar with the words, but you don't need to memorize them. Just keep flipping through them on quizlet.

2. Our first round of banned book speeches is tomorrow! Remember that if you're not ready or you don't show up on your assigned day, the most you can receive is half credit on your speech.

3. For Tuesday, March 29 we will be reading through page 63. If you're typing your reading journal, I will be looking in your folder to leave you feedback. If you're handwriting, I'll be checking in you on Wednesdays and Fridays. If you're conferencing, show up at your assigned time (you received an e-mail from me yesterday).

161 comments:

  1. Why does Bradbury go into depth when describing each woman's eyes?

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  2. I noticed when Bradbury introduces Clarisse, he uses white a lot but when he introduces Mildred, he talk a lot about black.

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  3. Why does Bradbury make the description of each girl as complicated as he can? He uses a whole lot of figurative language to describe these girls.

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  4. He met Clarisse first because we had to be introduced to the happy innocent Montag, so we could know that there is still hope for him

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  5. Why does Bradbury use so many oxymorons when describing Clarisse?

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  6. I think Bradbury describes clarrise with him looking into her eyes because he find her memorizing and he cant take his eyes off of her. I think he describes Mildred in a dark room with no light because she is in a dark place and is ready to move on from the world.

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  7. Why does Montag seem more interested in Clarisse than in his own wife?

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  8. Bradbury uses creative visuals to describe each woman's importance is his life.

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  9. Could Mildred's name symbolize the dread that Montag feels when he's home with her? He dreads the idea of coming home to a dead or dying wife. Could this be why Bradbury chose to name her Mildred?

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  10. I think we meet Clarisse first because she's the trigger for change not only in Montag but in society as well. I think Bradbury wanted to introduce the most influential character first so change can start happening right away.

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    1. That is a very good point. Clarisse seems to be the most influential character so far, but Ms. Leclaire said that she will not be here for long...

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  11. I noticed how Bradbury went really in depth with the description of both girls, but the description were very different.

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    1. I wounder why he made these girls so different.

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  12. Why does the author create complete opposite people (Clarisse and Mildred) that the main character has to face?

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  13. why does bradbury feel the need to repeat the feeling of montag? about how he wasn't happy?

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  14. Why does Bradbury describe Clarisse with pale and white but does the exact opposite for Mildred who is supposed to be Montag's wife.

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  15. I beleive that we meet Clarissa first because Montag has a good connection with her and she influences the way he thinks in a positive manner.

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  16. When he talks about clarisse he uses words associated with light while when he describes his wife he uses words associated with darkness.

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  17. I noticed that Bradbury uses language that suggests Montag isn't in love with his wife, but is in love or could be in love with somebody like Clarisse. Montag is captivated by her and almost seems to dread going home to Mildred.

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  18. I think that Bradbury describes his women because he wants to show how Montag is living life in such a strict society that he can only see the standard point of view so when he looks at one he is looking at all.

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  19. Bradbury used very deep descriptions of both characters because I think they are both important roles, especially later on in the book. Without a really good description, the reader wouldn't be very interested in the characters or Montag's relationship with them.

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  20. Will Montag continue to get closer with Clarisse and what role might she play in the future?

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    1. I feel like Montag will continue to become closer with Clarisse as the book goes on.

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  21. Why does Montag talk about the dark comparing to his wife and greatness towards Clarisse?

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  23. How does Montag's life and personality affect Clarisse and what she thinks of him?

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  24. Do you think that Clarisse influenced Montag to steal that book instead of burning it?

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    1. I think she has influenced him in his thought process the most. He sees that there's a whole different world out there and he wants to explore it.

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    2. I feel if he never met Clarisse he would still just be setting them on fire and stay in his routine.

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    3. I agree with Peyton, she is persuading him to steal the book rather than to burn them like he is so used to be doing.

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    4. I believe that Montag was already at this state of thinking before Clarisse, she was just the final push he needed to start truly thinking.

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  25. I think Clarisse symbolizes the old way of life. Where you could live by how you want to and by what you like. Montag sees her everywhere because it is a constant reminder of what life could be yet he is held down by all the rules and restrictions of their society.

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    1. Thinking more about the time of this book, how far in the future do you think this book is? There are a lot of changes with rules and restrictions, but it could also be very recent, just with a different form of government.

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  26. Do you think that the book(s) that Montag has or will take, he might give one of them to Clarisse?

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    1. I think he will give her one of them just because she interests him and I think he wants to know what thoughts she will have after reading the book.

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    2. I think he will give one of them to Clarisse because I feel like their relationship will extend more in the future so they will start giving each other meaningful items.

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  27. On page 33 Bradbury states, "Montag looked at these men whose faces were sun burnt by a thousand real fires and ten thousand imaginary fires..." What does he mean by this? Whats an imaginary fire?

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    1. I think a imaginary fire could be from all the real fires they faced has scared them for life.

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    2. Since all they do is fight fires, all they probably think, and dream about are fires, hence the "imaginary fires".

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  28. I think that the reason Montag is so fond of Clarisse, is that he can see a glimpse of hope in her, and also he may be drawn to her due to how drastically different she is from his wife.

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    1. She shows him the ability in generations to come to challenge the powers that controls them.

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    2. I agree, I think Mildred is somewhat of a lost cause, she has nothing left in her to give, while Clarisse is young and healthy and full of happiness.

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  29. On page 8, when Clarisse asks, "Is it true that long ago firemen put fires out instead of going to start them?", Montag disagrees very confidently. After what's happened, does his opinion on this change? If not, is he still as confident as he was earlier?

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    1. I feel that his view has changed and he has gotten curious by asking Beatty later on.

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  30. The lady that had the books in her house was a defiant woman who shows a lot of resemblance to Clarisse. I think that the statement she made was showing her defiance and how she wants to become a symbol of change.

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  31. I feel as if Montag and Clarrises relationship will grow as the book goes on.

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    1. In what way will there relationship grow. In what direction will the relationship go.

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    2. I agree and I think that Clarisse will change Montag a turn him into a normal person.

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  32. Ms. Leclaire said that Clarisse will not be here for much longer, even though she is arguably the most influential character thus far in the book. What do you think will happen to her and why?

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    1. I think she could get in trouble for the ways she thinks or the views she has. She also could have come into contact with a book and gotten in trouble and been thrown in prison or jail.

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    2. The cover of the book looks suspicious, so maybe Montag has something to do with the 'disappearance' of Clarisse?

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  33. Why are books such a big thing in this life that Montag and others live? Is there a correlation between the books and real life now?

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    1. The book itself is a commentary on the massive amounts of censorship being given in the 50's. This is somewhat of an exaggeration of what was happening in this time, how easily the people can be influenced to think banning all books is the way it has always been.

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  34. Is Montag going to ditch his emo wife for Clarisse? He probably wants a new experience and he's obviously intrigued by Clarisse's thoughts so it makes sense. I honestly wouldn't want to marry some old woman who kills herself every week

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    1. I think it depends on how she continues to act. If she keeps trying to kill herself and continues to be really depressed I think he would really want to since Clarrise isn't like that and gives him new hope.

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  35. On page 34 the book says "He opened his mouth and it was Clarisse McClellan saying, 'Didn't firemen prevent fires rather than stoke them up and get them going?" Did Montag ask this because of the influence of Clarisse or was it an excuse for what he truly felt?

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    1. Clarissa definitely has an impact on what Montag thinks, whether he likes it or not. He is now asking questions that he wouldn't even have been able to think about before he met Clarisse.

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  36. On page 35 Montag sates the first fireman and his rules "First Fireman: Benjamin Franklin.
    Rule 1. Answer the alarm swiftly.
    2. Start the fire swiftly
    3. Burn everything
    4. Report back to firehouse immediately
    5. Stand alert for other alarms"
    Are these all the rules that each fireman live by or are these just the rules for burning books.

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  37. Just as a child has to be taught what's right and wrong, so I think Montag has to be exposed to a change in order for him to start questioning life. Clarisse is that change.

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    1. I strongly agree with this because in the book you can tell that he is startign to change his actions and thoughts.

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  38. Is anyone else majorly confused on why Montag keeps saving his wife? She obviously hates her life and wants to die, so if Montag loves her shouldn't he let her do what she wants? Isn't she old?

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    1. Montag can't just sit there and let his wife die, he is going to do whatever he can to help her even if at the time she might want to die

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  39. "Montag blinked. Beatty was looking at him as if he were a museum statue. a any moment, Beatty might rise and walk about him, touching, exploring his guilt and self-consciousness"(Pg. 33). What about Montag is so interesting to Beatty?

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    1. I think most firemen are like robots and they all do the same things with the same people and live the same lives. Montag sticks out. He shows different sides and that draws the attention of Beatty.

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    2. He's a fireman which is weird to her. It's similar to when Clarisse met him and was surprised that firemen could speak

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    3. Montag peaked Beatty's interest when he started questioning the morality and why they burned books, which prompted two of the firemen to bring out rule books (not that Montag needed to read them again).

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  40. On page 35, Beatty states "Montag, you forgot your helmet!" How is this important in showing the influence Clarisse had on Montag?

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  41. I think Clarisse's disappearance is a direct result of her curiosity. The government might have wanted her to disappear so that she would stop giving people the thought to question their lives.

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  42. Will the disappearance of Clarisse draw attention to Montag because he's had contact with her and will police show up and search his house and find the books?

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    1. You'll have to read the book and find out?????

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  43. I think Clarisse went away because she doesn't want to be part of it anymore and it's just too much for her to candle so she just wanted to be away from everything.

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  44. I feel that if Montag loved his wife he would love her in a way she would not want to kill herself.

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  45. Are characters like Mildred and Clarisse used to describe Guy's mood in the book?

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  46. Why do you think he mentions moon light when he talks about Clarisse and moon stones when he talks about Mildred?

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  47. Clarisse seems as though she is the light shining through Mildred's darkness.

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  48. It seems like Bradbury is going back and forth between dark and light, is that gonna symbolize something later on in the book?

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    1. I think this symbolizes the two options that he has. He can choose the light side filled with curiosity and knowledge or he can choose the dark side filled with false answers and blindness.

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  49. Why does Montag feel like he wears happiness like a mask?

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    2. I think that Montag feels that he wears happiness as a mask because in the society he is living in people do not stop to say hello. No one stops to ask Montag if he is ok and rarely do people stop and take the time to get to know people.

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  50. Why would Bradbury make the first mention of Mildred a scene where she tried to commit suicide?

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    1. I think the first mention of Mildred is an attempted suicide because it sets the tone for her character as very dark and dreary.

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  51. I noticed that he almost describes Clarisse as a monument of the past, and how things used to be. He describes Mildred as the present darkness.

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  52. Why does he Bradbury give small details that you have to keep reading to find out what there true colors are?

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  53. Why does Clarisse seem so alive and Mildred so dead?

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    1. I think it's because Clarisse is a representation of the future which is still waiting to come and still young, but Mildred represents the past which has already happened and is done.

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    2. I agree with Collette, but to state the obvious, Clarisse is 17 and Mildred is older

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  54. What is the symbolism behind women's eyes?

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  55. Will Montag leave to find Clarisse, or will he stay and help Mildred find happened? What about finding his own happiness?

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  56. Clarisse seems to be symbolized by moonlight, what is an idea that symbolizes Mildred?

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  57. Why is Guys wife the description of his darkness, and Clarisse is described as a glimpse of light at night?

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  58. Are all the things he describes like the eyes important in the long run?

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  59. Mildred used to be like Clarisse, full of life and hope. But now Mildred has burned out her candle, and clarisse's candle is barely starting to be lit.

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  60. Why is the description of Clarisse accompanied with moonlight and the description of Mildred mainly based around darkness?

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  61. I think that we met Clarisse first because she is probably the main reason of the shift that will happen in the book. In the Kite Runner, they start off by talking about the winter of Hassan's rape, and that is the shift in The Kite Runner. I think it makes sense that we meet a character first that is most likely going to influence Montag's shift.

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  62. Do the women stand for certain points in his life? Will he leave the dark past, Mildred, for a happy future, Clarisse?

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  63. I think they meet Clarisse because she's the beginning of change. Her questions and curiosity is so unique, that it shocks Montag.

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  64. I think that the moonlight is a symbol of hope and when he meets Clarisse is a symbol for something new and he is hopeful about her and there was no moonlight when you first meet his wife so that's showing how little hope he has for her.

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  65. Does Clarisse plan to shift Montag's mind by pointing out things in the world that people don't usually notice? I feel like she wants him to find deeper meanings to things that go unnoticed because it will clear his sight to reveal how ugly their world is without books.

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  66. Why does the author describe Clarisse and Mildred as complete opposite people?

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    1. Maybe to identify a theme that opposites attract.

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  67. Bradbury's patterns between the two people showed how Clarisse was more curious, genuine and calm while Mildred was more exhausted and worn out. He shows how she is a bit more "fake" than Clarisse ("fake" as in she doesn't show her actual emotions and blends with the crowd).

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  68. Guy seems very suspicious about everything, he feels like there is always someone there, Why?

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  69. At guy's age, why is he just now beginning to question the way things are?

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    1. He never had a reason to question the way things are.

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    2. Did he ever even have a time in his life where he knew of something different?

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  70. The firemen may not have killed the old women but they are at least a little responsible for her death.

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  71. Montag is very unsure about all of his decisions in the book. Do you think this started when he met Clarisse or has he always been this way.

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    1. I think that Clarisse has helped Montag think more thus questioning decisions more.

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    2. I think Clarisse has affected Montag's decision making because she has made him begin to question everything and now he is unsure of everything.

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  72. Do you think that Clarisse is going tto be montags friend in the long run or enemy

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    1. I think that Clarisse is going to show Montag a point of view about himself that he doesn't want to see. Therefore, he is going to treat Clarisse as an enemy even though she did nothing wrong, and it is all in Montag's head.

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    2. I agree i think at somepoint he is either going to enjoy or hste the new self image that she has helped show him

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  73. Does Clariesses happiness and joy represent the end of the towns sadness?

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  74. I don't think Clarisse is there on the 8th day because she wants to keep him guessing. She is a very mysterious girl and does not want to be predictable.

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    1. I also think she is just off doing her own thing

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  75. Does it kind of seem weird to anyone else how Guy feels about Clarisse and the fact of how far apart in age they are? How is it going to look when a 30 year old and 17 year old band together

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    1. I see where you are coming from, but this isn't a romantic relationship. Clarisse is here to teach him a lesson and to open his mind. I think in this society they would look past the age and first wonder why she is walking around when she should stay inside.

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  76. Do you think that Montag really feels like he is being selfish?

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  77. I agree that most characters in this book seem selfish

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    1. But can that be blamed on the society that they live in?

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  78. He felt at ease and comfortable. "Why aren't you in school? I see you everyday wandering around?"
    Its weird to see a character not want to go to school because the school isn't doing exactly what it is today, which is weird because kids today don't want to go. Why does she do her own thing? Where are her parents in the decisions? Do they know?

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    1. Considering how much she has told us about her parents and uncle, they know what she is doing. If we told our parents that kids are being killed by other kids they wouldn't want us going to school.

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  79. Will Mildred be the cause of a further downfall for Montag?

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  80. How do you think Montag will affect Clarisse?

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    1. I don't think Montag will necessarily affect Clarisse, but Clarisse will have a greater affect on Montag.

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    2. Agreeing with Lizzie, i think Clarisse will have the biggest effect on Montag and possibly their generation...

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  81. Could Clarisse be the hero that this society needs?

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    1. I think this could be a possibility because it's the first time someone is standing up and speaking their mind.

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    2. I think that people have questioned it but nobody has taken any action towards changing anything.

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    3. Yes! Seeing how she has already affected Montag, she can do amazing things.

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    4. I agree with Chase and Ashlyn that she can be the hero their society needs because of how good she is at talking with Montag.

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    5. Yes!! I think Clarisse sparked the change, i think she is the change in this story. And just from meeting Clarisse, i have some predictions of what will happen in the future.

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  82. "Your uncle said, your uncle said. Your uncle must be a remarkable man."
    Why is it all about what her uncle said? Why does she always bring him up? Whats significant about him? Why is it important to know him as a character? Why does she talk more about her uncle than her own parents?

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    1. I think her uncle raised her, and that he raised her to get what she wants and not do what society tells you.

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  83. Is Clarisse the only one who questions the system?

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    1. I think that there are a group of people who probably do question the system, but if they are caught questioning then they get taken care of.

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    2. I doubt it. A lot of people probably are, just to scared to go against it.

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    3. I think that there will be a group of people but they also question the system and we question the system

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    4. I agree withe everyone above. I think many people for sure question the system, just don't speak up because they are worried about consequences.

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  84. Do people in this society have freedom?
    I don't think people have freedom because everything seems to be censored but they don't realize that they don't have freedom because this is all they know.

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    1. I agree! I think their society is so strict and censored but they have no idea because they have only lived a life where thats what happens. They don't know any other way. I don't think they have freedom, but I don't think they know that.

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  85. ..."Im afraid of children my own age. The kill each other."
    what kind of society allows kids to kill each other. Kids are dying and no one is doing anything, Why? Why hasn't that sparked a change? Why is that allowed? Why aren't they preventing is? Is there a significance to the deaths?

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    1. Maybe people don't really care since the society that these people live in are emotionless and instead of thinking about how people die they could just be told that no one does anything for this situation since it is their way of controlling overpopulation.

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  86. Does the author want to keep the society a secret?

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  87. What would've happened if Beatty didn't kill herself with the books? Would she be taken to the asylum? did she kill herself because she literally couldn't imagine life without books? Or was it because she didn't want to be classified as insane? What about books made people insane enough to go to an asylum? Was it because it was against the law and that was crazy? Is it so they an brainwash the books from their memories? Is it so they can keep the past a secret since they may have read some textbooks? Or is it just the concept of having books at all since they might think it as really weird? Maybe the government thinks that books are just really weird since they are basically tattooed dead trees and they find it even weirder that people would have a collection of them. Perhaps they think they are crazy because they consider books as a fire hazard. Will the firemen start asking questions about Beatty? Or will they just forget the fact that they just witnessed a person commit suicide because of them (for attempting to separate her from her books)?
    Why did Guy steal the book? Maybe Guy wanted to find answers to his questions about the past and for things like fire fighters existence, he might have thought they would write down things about the history of the world since that is the main way people find out about life in the past.
    Did they take Clarisse away? Maybe this will motivate Guy to rebel against the government since they could have killed her or taken her away to brainwash her so they can decide her future and make sure she stops asking so many questions. Why would the firemen be fine that people are put in asylums for having as little as one book?

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  88. Why don't more people start to rebel and make a difference if they don't like the law? It obviously had an affect on the firemen when the woman burned her own house down.

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    1. Maybe because they're are afraid of authority.

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    2. They're stuck in a bubble, and their whole lives they haven't known any better. The people who don't agree with things aren't aware that there are other people who agree with them because they're afraid to speak out in public.

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  89. "I've tried to imagine" said Montag "just how it would feel. I mean, to have firemen burn our houses and our books". (33-34). Do you feel that they don't know any different so that they are scared to change it? Why can't they show that there is change. We also need to change education but we are just scared too.

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  90. Did Clarisse move to this society from a more positive one?

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  91. Why are people so afraid to change a big thing? but you can easily change little things?

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  92. Why are so many people killing themselves?

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  93. I predict more people will be staying in their houses and killing themselves to promote the end of this law. I believe this lady was only the beginning of a movement.

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  94. Do people realize how much freedom they dont have? Pretty much everything they can see is controlled by the government and they are blind to it.
    Why is Guy always so paranoid? Is he up to something bad?
    Montag feels like he wears happiness as a mask because he really is not happy. He is sad and wants people to think he is fine but he is upset.

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