Homework Answers

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Study Guide

Directions: Answer these study guide questions as you read with as much depth as possible. Doing so will force you to stop and think about what is happening in the story and why. These notes are a more structured form of annotation. 

Chronological Reading Comprehension Questions:

What is so different about Clarisse? How does meeting her affect Montag?

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Study Guide

Directions: Answer these study guide questions as you read with as much depth as possible. Doing so will force you to stop and think about what is happening in the story and why. These notes are a more structured form of annotation. 

Chronological Reading Comprehension Questions:

Describe Montag’s life at home.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Study Guide

Directions: Answer these study guide questions as you read with as much depth as possible. Doing so will force you to stop and think about what is happening in the story and why. These notes are a more structured form of annotation. 

Chronological Reading Comprehension Questions:

Describe Montag and his characteristics, according to the tone and imagery in the very first passage. What inconsistencies and ironies are present? What does Montag do for a living? Describe his life at work. How does Montag feel about his job at the beginning of the novel?

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Study Guide

Directions: Answer these study guide questions as you read with as much depth as possible. Doing so will force you to stop and think about what is happening in the story and why. These notes are a more structured form of annotation. 

Chronological Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. Describe Montag and his characteristics, according to the tone and imagery in the very first passage. What inconsistencies and ironies are present? What does Montag do for a living? Describe his life at work. How does Montag feel about his job at the beginning of the novel?
2. Describe Montag’s life at home.
3. What is so different about Clarisse? How does meeting her affect Montag?
4. Contrast Clarisse and Mildred. They’re character foils. Look up that term and then consider: what might these two women each represent? 
5. Describe how and why Montag changes after the first fire at the old woman’s house.
6. What has happened to Clarisse? How is this ironic and tragic? 

Complete the SOAPSTone for “In Pursuit of Unhappiness” by Darrin McMahon, originally published in the New York Times, December 29, 2005.

Context Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/29/opinion/in-pursuit-of-unhappiness.html

SPEAKER- Who are they? What do we know about them? What is their expertise or experience? Do they have a bias?

OCCASION- Why or for what did they write the piece? What motivated them or inspired them to write it?

AUDIENCE- Who is the piece targeted to? Be specific!

PURPOSE- What result or action do they want from the audience?

SUBJECT- What is the point or message the author is trying to convey? What is the topic?

TONE- What attitude does the author take towards the subject?

Instructions: Read and annotate the following excerpt from “In Pursuit of Unhappiness” by Darrin McMahon, originally published in the New York Times, December 29, 2005.

(12) So in these last days of 2005 I say to you, "Don't have a happy new year!" Have dinner with your family or walk in the park with friends. If you're so inclined, put in some good hours at the office or at your favorite charity, temple or church. Work on your jump shot or your child's model trains. With luck, you'll find happiness by the by. If not, your time won't be wasted. You may even bring a little joy to the world.

Instructions: Read and annotate the following excerpt from “In Pursuit of Unhappiness” by Darrin McMahon, originally published in the New York Times, December 29, 2005.

(11) "Those only are happy," he came to believe, "who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness; on the happiness of others, on the improvement of mankind, even on some art or pursuit, followed not as a means, but as itself an ideal end. Aiming thus at something else, they find happiness by the way." For our own culture, steeped as it is in the relentless pursuit of personal pleasure and endless cheer, that message is worth heeding.

Instructions: Read and annotate the following excerpts from “In Pursuit of Unhappiness” by Darrin McMahon, originally published in the New York Times, December 29, 2005.

(9) But before we take such steps, we might do well to reflect on the darker side of holiday cheer: those mysterious blues that are apt to set in while the streamers stream and the corks pop; the little voice that even in the best of souls is sometimes moved to say, "Bah, humbug." As Carlyle put it, "The prophets preach to us, 'Thou shalt be happy; thou shalt love pleasant things.' " But as he well knew, the very commandment tended to undermine its fulfillment, even to make us sad.