It seems like fighting fire with fire is the conclusion to Fahrenheit 451. Montag kills the Captain for trying to threaten Faber. The irony is the Books, the very thing the firemen burn, have infiltrated the firemen s' ranks.
The suppression of literature is highly important in many societies. My own experience, in relevance to this, was reinforced by reading books. My parents were always afraid of their children being exposed to books that were sexually explicit in content. I remember reading a book in the fourth grade called "Sign of the Beaver." The cover depicted an American Indian with long hair and a young pioneer. My parents assumed that the Indian was a a girl and took that book away from me. My parents were from another country that immigrated to America, they never once considered reading the book themselves and finding the evil that they believed lurked within.
That only gave ammunition to my thirst of reading. I bought books with my pocket money and went without snacks. I would read books with a night light so no one would hinder me. I was determined to feed my thirst and didn't understand what my parents were trying to save me from.
This led to the alienation between me and my parents. To this very day, I dont have a good relationship with my mother, who is my sole surviving parent. Montag is alienated from the firemen and I am from my family.
In the end Montag joins a group of rebels and considers himself a book. Books made me question and at the same time isolate me. Isolate me from not just one culture but two, the West and the traditional South Asian.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Journal Entry Number 1 (Fahrenheit 451)
Part one is about Montag burning books. The story begins with him having fun and grinning while he does it. I found it beyond understanding how he would consider burning books and melting marshmallows at the same time.
After burning the books the fact that Montag is walking so casually home is highly unsettling. He is whistling and is enjoying life. Clarisse makes him question his whole existence. It is found even before he meets her, with the inkling of his subconscious, knows of her presence before he actually meets her.
The rain seems to cleanse Montag and he becomes a new person.This is very symbolic and is a premonition of his life's changing course.
A mechanical hound is seen as amusement when it kills cats, mice, and chickens. Its very disturbing that this is for the fireman's amusement.
Clarisse seems to be very normal and the funny thing is that she is considered anti-social. Being responsible is frowned upon by Montag's society.
All the firemen look the same and the realization shocks Montag who had never realized it before. This is very similar to how our society encourages one type of clothing, such as jeans, wearing brands, similar hairstyles amongst other things that are deemed appropriate.
The fact that the neighbors call the fire department is the most disturbing thing. It seems like there is no privacy in his world.
The scene where the woman dies is a turning point in Montags' life. This is where he steals the book and hides it. The woman is witnessing the destruction of her books and Montag feels very guilty. He feels like his ritual has been disturbed by her silent and condemning presence.
The fact that the woman struck the match herself is a sign of courage. She did not assimilate to societies demand but held her ground. Society even today tries to impel people to "Westernize". I remember being a kid in elementary school and told by my teachers that being different is something to celebrate. They would encourage me to wear my traditional dress and would complement me on my South Asian culture. That is no longer the case and I feel like our society closely resembles Montag's in this aspect.
The fact that the firemen remember phrases from their various fires' has a significant purpose. Subconsciously, firemen are aware of the fact that what they are doing is wrong. The sense of acute wrongness makes Montag wonder why all the fires occur at night.
The fact that suicide is downplayed so much by the Mildred is disturbing for Montag and myself. The fact that its always done with the high dosage of pills is another sign of the normalcy behind it. Doctors no longer bother themselves with suicides since they occur on a daily basis.
Montag feels like he is adrift in a world that makes no sense. I totally understand that feeling. I go home and my brothers are watching T.V. and they never have the time to sit at the dining table with the family. My sister is always on the phone or her I pad. I feel like Montag, I have to tiptoe in my house.
Its funny how books can enforce the lack in your life and at the same time make you wonder if things in your life should or can be better?
After burning the books the fact that Montag is walking so casually home is highly unsettling. He is whistling and is enjoying life. Clarisse makes him question his whole existence. It is found even before he meets her, with the inkling of his subconscious, knows of her presence before he actually meets her.
The rain seems to cleanse Montag and he becomes a new person.This is very symbolic and is a premonition of his life's changing course.
A mechanical hound is seen as amusement when it kills cats, mice, and chickens. Its very disturbing that this is for the fireman's amusement.
Clarisse seems to be very normal and the funny thing is that she is considered anti-social. Being responsible is frowned upon by Montag's society.
All the firemen look the same and the realization shocks Montag who had never realized it before. This is very similar to how our society encourages one type of clothing, such as jeans, wearing brands, similar hairstyles amongst other things that are deemed appropriate.
The fact that the neighbors call the fire department is the most disturbing thing. It seems like there is no privacy in his world.
The scene where the woman dies is a turning point in Montags' life. This is where he steals the book and hides it. The woman is witnessing the destruction of her books and Montag feels very guilty. He feels like his ritual has been disturbed by her silent and condemning presence.
The fact that the woman struck the match herself is a sign of courage. She did not assimilate to societies demand but held her ground. Society even today tries to impel people to "Westernize". I remember being a kid in elementary school and told by my teachers that being different is something to celebrate. They would encourage me to wear my traditional dress and would complement me on my South Asian culture. That is no longer the case and I feel like our society closely resembles Montag's in this aspect.
The fact that the firemen remember phrases from their various fires' has a significant purpose. Subconsciously, firemen are aware of the fact that what they are doing is wrong. The sense of acute wrongness makes Montag wonder why all the fires occur at night.
The fact that suicide is downplayed so much by the Mildred is disturbing for Montag and myself. The fact that its always done with the high dosage of pills is another sign of the normalcy behind it. Doctors no longer bother themselves with suicides since they occur on a daily basis.
Montag feels like he is adrift in a world that makes no sense. I totally understand that feeling. I go home and my brothers are watching T.V. and they never have the time to sit at the dining table with the family. My sister is always on the phone or her I pad. I feel like Montag, I have to tiptoe in my house.
Its funny how books can enforce the lack in your life and at the same time make you wonder if things in your life should or can be better?
My Journal Entries
So I have realized that it has been a while since I have posted anything. I am going to start a new journal theme on my Blog. This will be based on the following books: Fahrenheit 451, Lolita in Tehran, Persepolis and Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. Enjoy!
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