Ray Bradbury

1920 – 2012

American Science Fiction and Horror Author

• Ray Douglas Bradbury was born in Waukegan, Illinois, on August 22, 1920.

• Between 1926 and 1933, the Bradbury family moved back and forth between Waukegan and Tucson, Arizona. In 1931, young Ray began writing his own stories on butcher paper.

• In 1934, the Bradbury family moved to Los Angeles, California.

Biography

• Bradbury's formal education ended with his

high school graduation in 1938.

• Bradbury's reputation as a leading science

fiction writer was finally established with the

publication of The Martian Chronicles in

1950.

Biography

Biography

• Bradbury was one of the most commonly recognized science fiction writers of all time.

• Ironically, Bradbury hated being identified as a science fiction writer because he hated modern technology.

• He never even owned a computer or drove a car .

• Bradbury’s stories do not rely on the use of futuristic technology (robots, flying cars, etc.)

• Instead, he chooses to explore the impact of scientific development on human lives.

• His stories warn against becoming too dependent on science and technology at the expense of moral and aesthetic concerns.

Background

1947: Dark Carnival1953: Fahrenheit 4511957: Dandelion Wine1962: Something Wicked this Way

Comes1997: Dogs Think that Every Day is

Christmas2001: From the Dust Returned

Popular Writings

• Written in 1953

• Genre – Science Fiction

• Setting – Time – 23th Century

• Setting – Place – Unknown City

• Point of view – Third Person Limited

Fahrenheit 451

• Fahrenheit 451 is a futuristic novel that focuses on what would happen if all books were banned and censored.

• The firemen in this novel do not put fires out; instead, they start fires by burning books because the written word has been banned by the government.

• The people in this book revolve their lives around watching TV, constantly listening to the radio, and driving fast cars.

Fahrenheit 451

Protagonist

Guy Montag: A fireman

Antagonist

Captain Beatty: The captain of Montag’s fire department

Other Characters

Mildred (Linda) Montag: Guy Montag’s wife

Clarisse McClellan: a beautiful, young girl who opens Montag’s eyes to a whole new world full of meaning and beauty

Other Characters

The Hearth and the Salamander

Both the hearth and the

salamander symbolize fire.

A hearth is a fireplace and

traditionally represents the home.

In mythology, the salamander could live in fire and not be harmed.

- An image of a salamander is on the

sleeve of their uniform.

- Salamander is also the name of

Montag's fire truck.

The Sieve and the Sand The title of the second part of Fahrenheit

451 symbolizes Montag's effort to learn as

he reads.

Sand is knowledge that eludes him.

The sieve is his mind

trying to make the knowledge

permanent.

The PhoenixThe phoenix is a mythological bird who bursts into

flames at death and rises from the ashes born again.

The phoenix represents Montag's spiritual rebirth,

society's attempt to rediscover itself, and the

cyclical nature of life.

Revelations 22:2

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Author Biography

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLuDOEuwwso