Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 continues to be both celebrated and controversial for its critique of Western civilization. For many, it stands as a warning
against the surrender of personal liberty and critical thought. Its fans believe that elements of the narrative can already be found in many layers of our
culture. For others, the novel is an unwarranted dark and pessimistic forecast. Its detractors dismiss the book as mere science fiction entertainment that has
no bearing on reality.
Prompt: Write a 5-6 page research analysis essay that examines the themes/motifs and/or symbolism found in Fahrenheit 451 and take a stand on whether
these themes and/or symbols are relevant (or not) in twenty-first-century society. Remember, THEME is the central or underlying meaning of a literary work,
and SYMBOL is any object, image, character, or action that suggests meaning beyond the everyday literal level.
Guidelines-Introduction
Your essay should be balanced between information identifying themes and/or symbols in the novel and information proving the relevance or irrelevance of
those themes and/or symbols in the twenty-first century and it must begin with an introduction that introduces the subject, a theme (or themes) of the novel,
and the novel's current relevance.
It should identify the symbols and/or themes in the story and discuss how they support and establish the central or underlying meaning of the novel.
It should work to explain how the symbols help to communicate the story’s deeper meaning by citing specific moments in the text in which the relationship
between theme(s) and symbol(s) in fiction are made clear.
It must begin with an introduction that introduces the relationship between themes and/or symbols in the novel and to the central or underlying (main point)
of the novel.
The last sentence or last two sentences of the introduction must be the thesis or claim of the essay, which should clearly state whether Fahrenheit 451 is
relevant today or not and it should articulate the central theme(s) of the story.
Guidelines-Body Paragraphs
In addition, you must have supporting body paragraphs that develop your essay. Each body paragraph must begin with a clear topic sentence that specifically
states the topic and focus of the paragraph.
A good supporting paragraph must contain seven to thirteen sentences, so you will need to cite evidence from the novel and credible outside sources.
Credible outside sources will be found through the RSU Stratton Taylor Library database. Once you introduce a source and provide a quote or paraphrase
from said source, you will then need to bring in your commentary regarding the evidence you just cited.
Guidelines-Commentary
Writing commentary means giving your opinion, interpretation, insight, analysis, explication, evaluation, or reflection about a quote, paraphrase, summary, or
concrete detail used in your essay. Commentary should be two to three sentences of your own words regarding the relevance of the evidence to the topic
sentence and/or thesis statement.
Guidelines-Support Evidence
For your support evidence, you should use recent magazine or newspaper articles or books of non-fiction, such as the essays and articles found in The
Norton Reader or on the RSU Library database, as sources to support your claims.
Fahrenheit 451 can serve as ONE of your sources but you must have THREE other sources too. Note: that is a total of FOUR sources. Use the electronic
databases at RSU’s Stratton Taylor Library or The Norton Reader for your sources as much as possible.
If you use an internet source, you will need to verify that the source is credible, which means you must email the potential source to me, so I can give you a
thumbs up or thumbs down.
You MUST also incorporate specific examples from the novel into your writing to support your claim. Examples, much like quotations and other forms of
evidence, should be followed by your commentary.
Sample Solution