Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit451

This novel revolves around a fireman named Guy Montag, together with his coworkers, they prohibited and burned books. In the futuristic society he lived in, books are destroyed and televisions are common to everyone's lifestyle. People in Montag's society do not read books, do not involve in critical thinking and do not conduct meaningful conversations with each other. Instead, they spend more of their time on televisions, listen to their "Seashell radio" close to their ears and drive very wild. When Montag met Clarisse, his perceptions about life were intensely changed. He suddenly became conscious of the emptiness in his life. His wife, Mildred, attempted to kill herself with an overdose of sleeping pills. He encountered an old woman who opted to be burned with her books. Later on, he heard that Clarisse was killed by a fast car. With these disturbing events, Montag continued to feel discontented with his life. He searched for answers in a stash of books he had stolen.

When Montag no longer go to work, his supervisor Capt. Beatty visited him. Capt. Beatty explained to him that it is normal for firemen to be curious about books but books have negative effects on people because of its conflicting opinions. That is the reason why books become banned. But Montag was persistent to learn what he is reading. He sought help from a retired English professor named Faber. Montag association with a book became recognizable to his wife and superior. Montag was put under arrest. However, he escaped and met a group of intellectual people led by Granger. They welcome Montag and he was given a role to memorize the Book of Ecclesiastes. The whole city was completely destroyed by bombs and Montag, together with his friends, look for survivors and restore civilization.

Dialogue with Capt. Beatty

Captain Beatty is the antagonist of the story. He is the leader of the fire company of book burners. Capt. Beatty is an educated manipulator, he knows a great deal about books than anyone. He believes that literary pieces are confusing and contradictory. It makes one mixed up and bewildered. The following would be the excerpts of Capt. Beatty dialogues and the writer arguments with him.

"We are the authority. You have the duty to set fire on books and make sure none of it will survive. "- Captain Beatty.

"No, I am not the authority. But I am a victim of the authority. So, I will defy the authority whenever possible!"

Capt. Beatty- saw the array of books nearby and walk near to it. He held one book in his hand. "Is this worth fighting for? This book is a product of weakness. Authors put themselves behind these papers to hide their true identity. Why? Because what they are writing are meant to put confusion to us.

" I took the book from his hand for fear that he might burn it with his anger. "This book enlightens reader like me. It contains information that the authority is trying to hide from me. It is not the author that is coward. It is the authority that is so frightened that people like me will be educated".

Capt. Beatty said. "Books are other people business. For you to buy it, authors create issues against other people. Is that that what you want? Arguments? Debate! Then, you must dream having a chaotic world."

I explain "Books are not made against us. But book