Analyzing Characters in Fahrenheit 451

As a warm-up/drill activity, eighth-graders offered creative responses to such questions as "How is Millie like an airplane?".  Each question used a simile which forced students to make unusual yet insightful connections.  Their responses demonstrated an understanding of character motivation and development.  I've included some of their ideas below.

How is Guy Montag like an oven?

  - An oven  is where things process; Montag is the "processor" of the rebellion (Allison R.).
  - In the beginning of the book, Guy's feelings were cold, but he begins to heat up (Josh D.).

How is Mildred like a television?
 
  - She speaks a lot of nonsense (Hannah R.).
  - She talks at you, but she doesn't hear your response (Orly K.).

How is Faber like a book?

  - He holds a lot of knowledge, and he is helpful (Chloe N.).
  - He provides the foundation, but the rest is up to you (Lauren B.).

How is Clarisse like a mirror?

   - She likes to reflect on her feelings (Ezra S.).
   - She makes Guy reflect and see his true self (Zack L.).
   - She can make others see who they really are (Haviva G.).
   - She makes you want to improve yourself (Sammy C.).
   - She is the opposite of the people in her society (Josh D.).

Character Foils & Student Foils

Last week, seventh-graders were introduced to the literary term "foil."  A foil is a secondary character who serves to highlight the traits of the main character through contrast.  A foil often has similar circumstances as the main character but he/she acts differently, showing more clearly the main character's traits.

To help explain this idea, students identified ways in which Squidward serves as a foil for SpongeBob.

Then students put their new knowledge to work by identifying characters who serve as a foil for Tom in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Grace's handout: (click on picture to enlarge)

Finally, to cement this new learning, each student created a foil for her/himself.  For this assignment, students were given the task of creating a "character" that shared some traits in common with the student but that was also a contrast. Students had a lot of fun sharing their finished foils with the class.

Hailey G.'s foil:

Jason S.'s foil:

Jaclyn's foil:

 

Leah's foil:

Josh S.'s foil: