1. I think the author chose to title the first chapter "The Hearth of the Salamander," because he is implying that guy is underneath putting out and starting fires. A hearth is a floor of the fireplace so in a way Guy is the base of the fire.
2. The lines "It was a pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed," make me as a reader assume that Guy likes to see destruction. Even a small amount like so burning looks. He likes seeing things to be eaten and come to an end.
3. I think the author choosing to describe the hose as a great python is negative. A snake strikes and shoots it venomous spray when it wants to kill or feel threatened. So in this case, the hose is spraying like the python, and we learn that they start fires. That means the hose is violently spraying towards the fire as if it has to kill the books.
4. The number 451 on the helmets of the firefighter is the temperature that books will burn.
5. Clarisse is introduced as a "17-year-old and insane." The author also writes that she has milky skin and wears white but her eyes are dark. She seems so curious about the world around her and makes Guy question his life.
6. Unsure if this question means the literal definition or what the author is hinting at. Guy's name stands for leader or guide, maybe he will symbol a leader figure whether that is with burning the book or maybe when he sees his life different and tries making others do the same. As for Clarisse, her name means clear in Latin. Based on what we know so far, she seems to have this clear view on life and what is around her, compared to Guy who thinks he is happy until she points it out.
7. Clarisse starts asking Guy simple questions like how long have you been a fireman and do you burn the books that you read? He answers them at first finely but the more she asks the more uncomfortable he seems and asks if she has any respect. But they have Guy thinking but it is like he is following a script and suddenly forgot his lines. Looking at everything differently, improving.
8. We learned a few things that are different in their society compared to ours:
- firefighter start fires
- they aren't allowed to drive slow on freeways or they can be arrested
- they stretch out advertising billboards so you can see them while you drive.
9. Guy compared Clarisse to two things, clock dial and a watcher. He explains that she glows and tells of something important. Then for the watcher, he is implying that she pays attention to detail, an observer.
10. As Guy got home, he realizes that he isn't happy. He thinks that she took off a mask and ran away with him. He goes over the question if he is happy, then goes into his depressing house, making him think more if he actually is or if it was all a lie to make himself think he is happy.
11. Seashells are now of days earbuds, Mildred uses them to sleep or just around the house. Maybe as an escape from the real world.
12. The difference between Clarisse and Guy's wife is that she is very smart and bright compared to the wife who seems unhappy and hiding it behind a smile.
13. The machines used to clean Mildred up were described as a snake as it went down her throat and started cleaning her out. She also was pumped up with fresh blood, getting rid of the bad. The symbolism is describing the machines like they are snake slithering down her throat into her stomach.
14. Guy says that "nobody knows anyone," because he is saying with all those people in the world no one really knows each other. No friends, just people going on with there day and not associating with others.
15. Guy finds himself drawn to Clarisse's window because he sees how bright and full of laughter it is. Compared to his home where it is pitch black and just had his wife OD. I think this is like saying there is a lot of people in the world that are the sad depressing house and there are others that are the happy house. With the houses being there lives.
16. Guy lays there in his bed and lets his mind go unleashed. In doing so his thoughts are everywhere making him feel like he knows nothing because he has so much on his mind and he can't figure out anything.
17. When Mildred wakes up from her sleep she starts her day and minds her business as if nothing happened. I think she is characterized this way because he is wanting to show that in Guy's house it is sad and Mildred seems to have a fake smile on. After her conversation with Guy, it feels like she is just trying to ignore the embarrassing moments from yesterday and act like it never happened.
18. Clarisse goes to the psychiatrist because she likes to hike or drink the rain. She is sent there mainly because she is strange compared to their society.
19. The hound is a mechanical dog. Its functions are to kill, it will go after it's prey after it gets the scent and stabs them with its paws, filling them with toxins. Guy is bothered by the hound because it growls are him and he believes it doesn't like him.
20. The women decide to burn with the books to show that burning the books is a bad practice and she will go down in flames with it.