Estimated Time: 45 minutes

Questions to Ponder

1. The book opens with the sentence, "It was a pleasure to burn." What does this mean? By the end of this week's reading, do you think Guy Montag would still say this?
2. Describe the scene of Guy meeting Clarisse for the first time, including right before he met her and the actual meeting. This meeting helps him realize what about his current life?
3. What examples from the text help you to know the setting is a futuristic time?
4. Montag's wife, Mildred, overdoses and two guys show up with some machines to clean her out. What is the author trying to say about the world Montag lives in?
5. After Mildred is revived we read, "Only an hour, but the word had melted down and sprung up in a new and colorless form." What does the author mean?
6. Describe the conversations between Guy and Mildred? What do you know about their relationship based on their conversations? How is this reflecting the world they live in?
7. Clarisse gives Montag a test of love. What is it? Why is this significant?
8. Clarisse is a catalyst for change in Montag. Choose 2 or 3 examples of this and discuss.
9. Based on your reading, describe and/or draw The Hound.
10. Clarisse is gone - how does Montag feel?
11. The author finally takes us on a fire run. Discuss Guy's experience with burning books. For example, the idea that books are just things with no feelings versus the idea that, "A book lit,... like a white pigeon, in his hands, wings fluttering." Reread to ponder what Bradbury is trying to say.

Freewriting

After you have pondered and discussed these questions with your teacher, choose one to complete a freewrite. If you are unfamiliar with freewriting, here are a few tips:

• Keep your pencil moving. Don’t stop. Just brain dump onto your paper.
• Have a set amount of time. Set a timer and write for the full amount of time.
• Ignore all grammar and spelling. Don’t let editing slow down the process. The goal is to get thoughts on paper. Spelling and grammar are not important in this instance.
• Pen and paper aren’t the only ways to freewrite. Feel free to type on the computer. Not only does this accomplish the task, but it builds typing skills.

Share your freewrite in the comments below.