"...the temperature at which book paper catches fire, and burns..."

Fahrenheit 451

By: Ray Bradbury

Part One: The Hearth and the Salamander, pg. 3-68

Part Two: The Sieve and the Sand, pg.71-93

Eager to begin this book (that I've heard so much about), I flipped the novel open...there, I found this quote: "If they give you ruled paper, write the other way." Penned by Juan Ramon Jimenez, these words are ambitious, daring, and encouraging. Little did I know -- it set the tone for the story to ensue...

In the first sections of this futuristic American society novel, I learned that the value of books lies in the detailed awareness of the life that they contain. This means that one needs not only books but also the leisure to read them and the freedom to act upon those ideas in life.

The Hearth and the Salamander

Guy Montag, the protagonist cleverly named after a paper manufacturing company (ironic, huh), is a fireman in charge of burning books in this grim, objective society. He wears a black uniform with a salamander on the arm and a "phoenix disc" on his chest. Late one night, he meets a new neighbor, seventeen year old Clarisse, who is fascinated by him. She goes on to tell Montag the original nature and duty of a fireman. In disbelief, Montag finds Clarisse peculiar in her family interactions and strolls down the street. Such matters are illegal in this society, afterall. He becomes enthralled by her incredible power of identification, perceptive observances, and unorthodoxed lifestyle. To challenge Montag's character, Clarisse asks him if he is happy, and then, she disappears. This strikes his innermost, trembling thoughts...a real turning point in Montag's life.

Montag is not used to discussing personal matters and is disturbed by the scene that had just taken place. He finds his wife in bed, overdosed on sleeping pills and calls the hospital to replace her poison blood with fresh. A common symbol throughout the novel, blood represents repressed soul and instinctive self. The next morning, his wife Mildred denies her suicide attempt. Montag goes out for work, only to find Clarisse standing outside, catching raindrops in her mouth. One of my favorite parts of the book is when she tells Montag that one is in love if rubbing a dandlion under the chin leaves pollen behind. She tries it on Montag, yet, nothing is left behind. Clarisse can see Montag's embarrassment and states she must go to visit her psychiatrist because of her "lack of sociability" and "dangerous independent thought habits." After seeing her depart, Montag begins catching raindrops in his mouth.

After that fateful day, Montag begins visiting with Clarisse more and more outside after work. Montag begins challenging the ability and motive of a fireman more and more...he asks Captain Beatty about it. Beatty claims that in 1790, Benjamin Franklin imposed the fire department in hopes of ridding the country of English influence in literature. (This was odd to me...not exactly how I remembered history. But that's just my opinion.) In the next scene, the department is sent to a book burning in an old building. There, an old woman refuses to flee, and although Montag persuades her otherwise, she strikes a match, and the house goes up in flames with her.

That night, Montag tucked away a book from the fire...placing it in secret underneath his pillow. At this point, he hasn't encountered Clarisse in over four days. He askes Mildred about her, who then describes that Clarisse was hit by a car and killed. After the two argue much over personal issues, Captain Beatty arrives to check on Montag. He tells Montag that everyone goes through the "problem," challenging and relating to the history of the profession. During this part, to me, Beatty's monologue was difficult to follow. It was as if he were scatter-brained. He describes why reading became less popular -- due to photography, film, and television, making it possible to pressure for information in quick, digestible, visual forms. The spread of literacy grew in standard and competition. Also, "minorities" and special interest groups thought books were objectionable and wanted to abandon all debate. While straightening up the house, Mildred discovers Montag's hidden book and attempts to burn it. Montag begs her to embark on this journey with him for 48 hours, seeking through the books together, in hopes of finding something to share with others. 

The Sieve and the Sand

Montag continues to spend the afternoon reading...meanwhile he thinks of Clarisse and her uniqueness. Although Mildred refuses to speak of the dead, she continues with Montag in his search. He isn't finding the answers he had hoped for, sooooo -- he sets out to find a teacher. He calls Faber, a professor he once met in the park. With Faber, Montag learns that it is not books but the meaning they contain that provides happiness. People in this futuristic society are living on flowers instead of good substantive dirt (media vs. literature). People are unwilling to accept the true basic realities and unpleasant aspects of life. Montag promotes an idea to Faber -- to plant books in homes of firemen to discredit and demolish the profession. Faber disagrees with the suggestion at first. But Montag threatens Faber by tearing out pages of his Bible...to which Faber quickly agrees.

So far -- the book is very interesting, displaying themes of censorship and knowledge vs. ignorance. I can't wait to read on and learn what happens next. Stay tuned...