Fahrenheit 451

Favorite Quote-

In Fahrenheit 451 one of the very important characters is Beatty, Montag's chief, who plays a huge role in Montag's realization. Beatty is a man who seems very serious about his work, he doesn't mess around when it comes to burning books. He conforms to the societies expectation of him, and he never seems to sway. However, Beatty realizes that Montag is tempted to find out what has been hidden in the pages of those books which he has turned to ashes so many times. As the book goes further it is very clear that Beatty has read books and he is a very intelligent, man who knows what books have held deep within their pages. It almost seems that he can relate with Montag in a sense, however he doesn't have the courage to admit it.

He is afraid to be different and to rebel, but he understands that Montag is rebelling even if he doesn't make it very clear. "It was pretty silly, quoting poetry around free and easy like that. It was the act of a silly damn snob. Give a man a few lines of a verse and he thinks he's the Lord of all Creation. You think you can walk on water with your books. Well, the world can get by just fine without them. Look where they got you, in slime up to your lip," (pg 118) this quote really shows Beatty's true feelings. Another quote (pg 119) "Well, that's one way to get an audience. Hold a gun on a man and force him to listen to your speech. Speech away. What'll it be this time? Why don't you belch Shakespeare at me, you fumbling snob? There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats, for I am arm'd so strong in honesty that they pass me as an idle wind, which I respect not! How's that? Go ahead now, you second-hand litterateur, pull the trigger." These lines show that Beatty definitely has read books, however his stubbornness takes over and refuses to admit their worth. It seems as though he just says what he is supposed to, but who knows if he believes it himself?

I picked these quotes because they are part of the climax scene and really shapes what happens next. It shows Beatty's unwillingness to go against society, and it is where Montag decides who he wants to be. It is such a pivotal moment, because after Montag murders Beatty, he has picked his side, and he is finally rebelling for all to see. He did what Beatty, if he wanted to, could not, and that was to go by what he wanted and not what others wanted of him. It also surprises me because Beatty does not even try and fight Montag, and he smiles right before he is burnt. It just seems that he either did not think Montag had it in him, or he really did not care if he died. This part is Montag's rebellion, and him finally making a choice and picking a side.

This part is just so intense, and was very shocking to anyone who probably read it. Montag had been bordering a true rebellion against his society, or just going back to being shut out from the world. He makes a very hard desicion when he chooses to kill Beatty, and he knows that after it was done, there was no going back. Montag finally made up his mind, because he wanted more.

Theme/Symbol/Etc.-

In the beginning of Fahrenheit 451, I think that Clarisse symbolizes Montag's "awakening" in a sense. She shows him that there is more to the world, more meaning, and more importance. Montag has been living life, with his eyes closed and I think that Clarisse definitely opened them for him. He is so much more open and aware of things around him, and can appreciate even the smallest things. She acts as the seemingly insignificant character, who turns out to be a huge influence on Montag and him finding the meaning of life. Even though, Clarisse was not in a large part of the book, she is the one who set the way for Montag to change. She was his guide to seeing the simple things in life, and yet she showed him what beauty they had.

I think that Mildred represents a huge obstacle, Montag had to overcome. She is constantly pulling him down, and he struggles to break free of her grasp. She just is stuck in one place, and one mind set, and he needs to move on. Mildred is quicksand to Montag and if he had stayed with her any longer, she would have pulled him down with her.

The overall theme throughout this book is not to conform to what society wants of you, if you do not agree with it. It is saying that it is possible to be who you want, however it may be a struggle along the way. The biggest part is realizing your mistakes and fixing them, to do what is right. It just shows that it is alright to be different and that no matter what, you will never be alone in your actions or opinions.

The books and Montag reading them, symbolizes his rebellion and what shows him that there is more to life. They ignite his rebellious nature and his actions throughout the entire book.

My Opinion-

I really enjoyed this book, it may have started out slow, but it definitely picked up after the first 20 pages. I thought it was very well written and I found myself getting invested in what was going to happen to Montag. He goes through many phases throughout this book and the change within him is very drastic. He becomes a very different, better person. There was no life to him at the beginning of this book and slowly with the help of Clarisse and Faber, he was able to see that their was more meaning to life and he could appreciate it. Montag went against everything that he was supposed to abide by in his society, and I think he was very brave in doing so. He could not know what would happen to him, however his determination, and curiosity helped him to take that step.

Even the technology is very interesting, with the jets and the mechanical hound, it is no doubt intriguing. The interactive walls, I feel are kind of unnecessary, and I really do not see the significance of the walls. However, I do like the uniqueness of this book because it is unlike anything I have ever read before. However, the technology was negative also, being very destructive, and killing so many, for no reason what so ever.

The burning of the books seems so strange to me, and in the beginning I really didn't understand the point of it. However, these people are so brainwashed that they think knowledge is a terrible thing and that books are to be burned not read. I think that most of the city doesn't know what to do, so they just go along with it to stay out of trouble. They really don't think for themselves and that is the bad part about this book, because the people are so empty. The ending of the book is good because it shows a new beginning and that slowly these men can convince others to listen to them. It is a fresh start and that was what Montag desperately needed, and now people can start changing. This book is a journey, a slow one, however one that will have huge results if everyone just listens. I really do like the ending because that is exactly what was needed, even though so many had to suffer for it.