“Change is the only thing constant in life” (Heraclitus). Change may be a constant part of life, but in the novel, Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, the society in which Montag lives is resistant to change. They never question the rules the government has given them, believing these rules are the right way to live. The main character, Montag, however, may be open to change and he undergoes a serious transformation throughout the story. In the beginning of the book, Montag is a content member of society, following the rules and regulations set forth by the government. However, as the story progresses, he begins to question the world around him and ultimately becomes a rebel against his oppressive society. At the beginning of the novel, …show more content…
Montag goes to see Faber because he is curious about the knowledge in books and wants to learn more about why books are being burned. When Faber asks Montag why he seems so upset, Montag says, “I don’t know. We have everything we need to be happy, but we aren’t happy. Something’s missing … The only thing I positively knew was gone with the books I’d burned in ten or twelve years. So I thought books might help” (Bradbury 78). Montag has the growing realization that he isn’t happy even though he has everything. He realizes that his society isn’t healthy and he is beginning to understand that everyone has been led to believe that things are good the way they are, but Montag is starting to question this belief. He is starting to understand the importance of knowledge and thinks that reading books will help him understand more about his life. This quote shows Montag’s curiosity in the sense that he is no longer satisfied with the way things are. Montag is no longer content with the status quo and is frustrated with the society he lives in. He is searching for answers and his curiosity is driving him to seek knowledge in books. This is one of the first times Montag is starting to change and foreshadows that even greater change will happen later in the novel as his curiosity begins to …show more content…
Montag has decided to join a group of professors and other educated people have tried to memorize the important books before they are burned. The group is venturing into the world with this knowledge. “We’ll just start walking today and see the world … I want to see everything now … I’ll get hold of it so it’ll never run off. I’ll hold onto the world tight some day. I’ve got one finger on it now; that’s a beginning” (154-155). Montag’s eyes have been opened to all of the possibilities in the world. He wants to explore the world right away. He doesn’t want to wait. He is no longer willing to be content with the rules of society. This reflects Montag’s desire to experience life beyond the strict limits of his society. He doesn’t want to miss anything out in the rest of the world and no longer wants to be censored. Montag has taken his first steps into the world beyond the restrictive dictates of his
He starts to question his role and seeks out books and people who can help him understand the true meaning of life. Through that He discovers that books are not only sources of knowledge, but also expressions of human creativity and individuality. Eventually Montag learns that reality is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather embraced and explored. He becomes alienated from his society and his wife, who is content with her ignorance and conformity. Much later Montag joins a group of rebels who hope to restore the culture and values of the past by preserving books by memorizing them.
Over time, Montag started to have a large amount of books he had taken. He was stashing them in his house. Montag hid the books in the most nonchalant places, where nobody would expect the books to be. He became obsessed with obsessed with reading. Which made him realize that people are missing out on something so important, and valuable knowledge wise.
As a result, Montag seeks and finds an older companion, Faber, who is “different” in society, as he believes books are for reading, not burning. Faber explicates to Montag that happiness does not come from physical books themselves, but “…in what books say, how they stitched the patches of the universe together into one garment for us” (79). He relays to Montag that the happiness and uniqueness of society does not just have to complete with books, but
He tries to think understand, but can not. He is so use to his society telling him not to think, not to understand, just be happy. Montag then find out that he is not happy. He is living in a society that is determined to kill all books. Montag hates the way he is living so he decides to leave the cave.
From the first instinct of taking a book, Montag was breaking societal expectations. “Now, it plunged the book back under his arm, pressed it tight to sweating armpit, rushed out empty, with a magician's flourish!”(p.37) This is the first instance that the readers see when Montag fully crosses the line. Even after decades of not reading, he took his chance and decided to go against the world. Montag begins to blur the line between unhappiness with career and life at home.
While seeking a deeper understanding of the world by speaking with Faber, Montag states that “I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if I talk long enough, It’ll make sense. And I want you to teach me to understand what I read”(78). The sad tone and diction that Bradbury uses, emphasize Montag's isolation from a society that values obedience. Using the words "hear" and "teach," the author highlights the importance of connection and intellectual curiosity in Montag's journey toward individuality.
See the world. It 's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.” I think this expresses another major theme in the book which is that the experiences you have that shape who you are are truly the most priceless in a world full of expensive material things. This theme appears many times in the book when looking at different characters. Guy Montag seemed to be more pleased with himself and the possibilities of the future once he stopped to take a look around and think about what life could be for him.
Montag begins to see the emotion and feelings that books can bring out in people, and how it changes them. As the story continues, Montag opens a book on a subway, and people are in awe. They don’t know how to react and immediately freak out and call for guards. Throughout these experiences, Montag begins to see the real effect the knowledge of books can have on
Faber who was a former English teacher had lots of intellectual ideas and thoughts. Faber expands Montag’s ideas and teaches him that it isn’t just about the book but the meaning they contain. Faber also teaches him the value of books and the importance of novels. This transforms Montag and convinces him to pursue the path he is on. This is best shown when, “It’s not the books you need, it’s some of the things that once were in books.
Montags first awakening to realizing how influential books can be is when he is burning a house and the woman inside stays with the books while the house is being burnt. This peaks Montag's curiosity making him wonder why someone would ever do that. "There must be something in books, things we can't imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don't stay for nothing" (Bradbury 48). This is where Montag begins to realize that books can hold significance and knowledge, as well as inspiring people to act on their beliefs.
Faber is a former college professor and Montag has access to his information because as a fireman it’s his responsibility to keep tabs on potential offenders. When Montag goes to meet Faber, Faber is initially hesitant as he should be. But as they continue their encounter Faber realizes Montag isn’t there to burn his books rather he’s there to learn about them. Faber explains to Montag why books have been eliminated from society, “ ‘So now do you see why books are hated and feared? They show the pores of the face of life.
Montag’s inquisitiveness led him to Faber, and therefore opened his eyes to an opportunity to change his life and rebel. Lastly, Montag is unique because of his unwavering courage. This courage is shown through his actions and
Tired of being censored, Montag decides it’s time to leave society and be himself. He knows about the scholars near the abandoned city, and wants to learn all they have to offer, so he can help the world. A quote showing how Montag has broken free from the extreme censorship in society reads, “He saw many hands held to its warmth, hands without arms, hidden in darkness. Above the hands, motionless faces that were only moved and tossed and flickered with firelight. He hadn't known fire could look this way.
He starts to secretly read books and learn the truth about his society and his role in it. Montag's transformation is evident in his statement, "It's not books you need, it's some of the things that once were in books. The same things could be in the 'parlor families' today" (Bradbury, 72). He recognizes that the society is not providing the knowledge and wisdom that books contain, and that this knowledge is necessary for personal growth and
Changing Montag In the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, the main character Montag, learns and develops throughout the story. Montag morals change from the beginning and the way he thinks and acts change. In this novel there is a couple of characters who try and stop Montag and theirs characters who help Montag to become the person he became at the end. Montag went from a depressed normal person, to a hero to believe in meaning.