Fahrenheit 451

By Ray Bradbury

“A book is a loaded gun in the house next door. Burn it. Take the shot from the weapon. Breach man’s mind. Who

knows who might be the target of a well-read man?” Beatty, p. 58

CENSORSHIP

WHAT IS IT?

When do you think people first started burning books?

What motivates book burning?

Why do you think certain populations have allowed book burning in the past (and today)?

We tend to equate book burning with oppression. But is there ever any justification for banning certain books (or movies or art)? If so, what would your criteria be?

Have you ever read or seen anything so offensive that you wished it would be censored? How did it make you feel?

Why do you think fire is used to destroy books? What is its symbolic significance?

Themes: CensorshipIgnorance/KnowledgeLife/DeathAnimal ImageryTechnology ParadoxesReligion

Discussion with Ray Bradbury

READ pages 3 – 32