Fahrenheit 451 Quote Analysis

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In the exposition of the novel, Montag is mindless about the power books hold, due to the government's lack in intellectual information provided, and begins to question the ruling of his society. Montag begins to face concurrent external conflicts, the first external conflict begins as a result of a difference of belief and loss of love between Montag and his wife Mildred. Montag feels unwanted and unloved as he finds his inner courage to reveal his true feelings and rebellious ideas to his wife Mildred when Bradbury writes, “When he was done he looked down upon some twenty books lying at his wife’s feet… Mildred backed away as if she were suddenly confronted by a pack of mice.” (Bradbury 63). This quote demonstrates Mildred’s shocked response …show more content…

He soon realizes the problems created by burning books, and now finds it hard to reveal his true feelings about the situation. Montag now faces a new external conflict brought upon him by his fire captain Beatty, as he attempts to keep his books and feelings a secret. After seeing a women willingly commit suicide to prevent her from losing her books, Montag begins to reason to himself that books have to hold some power. Captain Beatty, now suspicious about Montag's actions, comes over to Montag in order to teach him a lesson. Beatty claims to know about the history of firemen and explains to Montag more about the downsides of books stating, “I’ve had to read a few in my time, to know what I was about, and the books say nothing!” (Bradbury 58). This quote depicts Beatty, the antagonist of the story, trying to convince Montag that books are dangerous to his society, and can lead to its downfall. Montag though is now set on his new perspective on books and the way of life, which reminds him of his neighbor Clarisse who helped Montag open his eyes to a new world full of possibilities. He suddenly decides to quit his job of a fireman, and live his life solely on gaining knowledge and books, supporting the theme of knowledge versus the influence of

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