The first part that grabbed my attention the most was when Faber began to talk about religion when Montag brought him a copy of the Bible. Faber talks about how Jesus is a member of the family and how Jesus is used as more of an endorser for products than to bring salvation to those who believe (81). This made me think about how now there are podcasts and broadcasts of church sermons and endless trinkets, notebooks, and other paraphernalia wiith Bible verses and references. Church today seems to be more of a chore or a chance to show off one's new expensive outfit or to just have the good Christian boy/girl title. As Faber said, Jesus is being used to make someone or something look good, instead of people following Jesus' teachings.
When Montag reads "Dover Beach to the women, he reads only the third and fourth stanza of the poem. The third stanza talks about "The Sea of Faith" which could be a symbol for life before books were banned in "Fahrenheit 451", and then it continues on to show a loss of something that leaves the narrator feeling melancholy and almost empty. This change could represent the removal and burning of the books because the people now are more robotic with their emotions, and depression in common in the society of "Fahrenheit 451". The fourth stanza of the poem opens with a hopefulness of the potential of the world before them, but ends with the reality of a "darkling pain" and "armies clashing by night". Montag is the one with the hope for the society because of his secret stash of books he began to read; and for the armies clashing part, the rebellion he wants to start to end books being illegal. However, the women do not enjoy Montag reading the poem, and abruptly leave his house upset. Montag also leaves and feels down because of the women's reaction to the poem. Them rejecting his reading could show that no one would want to help him on his fight to bring back books.
The most shocking part of the end of "The Sieve and the Sand" and the beginnig of "Burning Bright" would be the firemen getting a call for Montag's house. Mildred put the call in about books in the house, so Captain Beatty makes Montage come along, and do the burning himself. But while Montag is burning his home and belongings, he is enjoying himself. The idea that fire is cleansing comes back in this part because Montag is cleansing himself of things that were hurting him, such as Mildred's obsession with her "family", and their love-less relationship. Montag also cleanses himself of the firemen when he kills Captain Beatty with fire too.
I was really excited when Montag found Granger and the outcasts. I kept hoping they would build up their own little army like Katniss and District 13 from "Catching Fire". (It's ironic that the third book is title "Catching Fire" and has a rebellion, which fits with the fire of "Fahrenheit 451" and Montag's attempted rebellion.) Getting closer and closer to the end, I was waiting for an epic battle, but was only left with a giant bomb that destroyed the whole city..(That also makes me remember that the capitol in "Catching Fire" was partially destroyed with a giant bomb at the end of the book. Whoa..) Even though there was no fighting, I was still left with the idea that Montag, Granger, and the outcasts could rebuild their own new society.
I really enjoyed "Fahrenheit 451", and it made me appreciate having books even more. I'm sorry for being tardy with my blog, but I wanted to actually finish the book before writing this post.
No comments:
Post a Comment