Victoria- I think he realized the truth behind Montag's thoughts but wasnt quite at the level of his thinking so he didn't want to seem defeated. He chose to just get rid of himself to end a mental struggle.
Victoria- I think Beatty was like everyone else in the society. He was depressed, maybe bored with his life, so he didn't care if he died. I think he was almost relived he didn't have to live in this society anymore.
Victoria- I think he didn't resist because deep down he realized his life's work was wrong. And everyones life in this society doesn't have quality so death isn't that bad.
Victoria- Beatty probably didn't resist much becasue he might've realized he was also unhappy with the way everything was going. So this was his way of suicide, because he most likely saw it coming.
Victoria- I think like Montag said in the book- he wanted to die. I think he agreed with Montag about the society but felt to involved to stand up like Montag.
Victoria- I think that there is definetly a reason for why Beatty wanted to die. He might not have wanted to do a firemen job anymore, but instead of being like Montag and rebelling, he just could have wanted to not deal with this anymore.
Clarissa- I think Montag wanted to believe Beatty wanted to die becuase he wants to believe that Beatty isn't a terrible person and that Montag isn't alone in this.
Mackenzie- Yeah, he may have said Mackenzie wanted to die as an excuse or killing him. Just like he says his hands do everything, it was just something to make his consience clear.
Steven- I think Beatty dieing by burning symbolizes that fire is distructive and that it wont solve any problems by using it, in the long run it will just destroy everything that has been made.
Steven Beatty's death by fire is ironic because it is showing that no matter who you are (captian of a fire crew or a rebel against society) fire can still burn you.
Victoria- I agree with Brooke. I think that everyone in this society would be okay to die tomorrow. They all are just putting on happy faces but then they go take a bunch of pills and they just don't really care about living. I think that also he had already gotten his victory of catching Montag and burning his house so he knew it was coming.
Mackenzie - Yes, I think it does because when he was burning his own house it says that he remembered the pleasure of burning, even though it was his own house.
Steven- Beatty basically said to use fire to end something that was bothering you. I don't think he was aware that it could be changed to people from books.
Mackenzie- I believe it still does. We even get pleasure from buring (especially if you are a pyromaniac). But he realizes what are really the bad things that are meant to be burnt or "cleaned".
Victoria- Beatty is a smart man, so he knew what he was doing when he gave Montag the flamethrower, which can be used as a weapon. Because of the current evidence, I think Beatty did want to die.
Courtney- Clairesse is the main reason for him CTS. If Clairesse had never come to the city, he would never had his eyes opened to the world around him and what they were doing.
Victoria- I think that just as the inner cirlce is saying, Beatty secretly supported books but he couldn't voice that because he was the head of the firemen.
Mackenzie-I think that it does, because when he was burning down his own house he still loved it and admired the power of the fire. I think that since the beginning of the book he has realized the enormous power of fire, whereas before he just treated fire like a job.
Steven - I think it kind of shows the "changing of the tides", that those who burned books are now being burned themselves. It might be foreshadowing to future events in society.
Courtney- I think Montag knows to much now to go back to his normal lifestyle. He is trying to show everyone that how they live is boring and depressing. They really are not living life the right way.
Paul- I disagree. Montag already had stolen books and stashed them behind the ventilator grille, so he probably would've challenged the system on his own.
Makenzie- I think that in the begging of the book burning ment something different to Montag then it did before. In the begging it ment that he was keeping people in line and life was moving so fast that it was the only thing he knew to do and he kind of through himself into his wok because that was all he had. But now that he is slowing down and taking the time to smell the "danelions" he can see that even though he enjoys burning things he is starting to think maybe he is not burning the right things.
Steven- Great thought. I completely agree. Its at the idea that evil people with evil morals will always be defeated by "evil" in the end. We see this trend in Macbeth too. It will always come back to haunt them.
Courtney- His reasons for challenging the system are the thing that he doesn't understand. He knows that society is falling apart but hedoesn't know how to deal with it. He also remembers how Mildred used to be and he sees sees that she has changed so greatly since then.
Mackenzie- Her family was the only thing that she ever liked. She never really understood everything else. Plus, she figured that Montag was going crazy anyway so he just wasn't worth it anymore.
Courtney- I think that the thought that people were "dead" without knowledge motivated his actions. I do think that he had people who motivated and sparked his curiosity too, such as Faber and Clarisse.
Anna- I completely agree, it was ironic because Beatty was so...consumed by the idea of fire and burning stuff, and thinking he was so powerful he could never be harmed by it.
Courtney- I think that Clarisse had a big impact on why he decided to challenge the system. Before he met her I think that he was unhappy with his life but was not actually going to do anything about it. After he talked to Clarisse he started to realize the way things used to be and that society just was not right.
Courtney - I think Montag's reasonings for challenging the system, is that he finally realized what's going on. Clarisse asked him one question, "Are you happy?" and from then on his whole life changed. Also since he is part of the system he has more insight, understanding, and information then other citizens.
Savannah- He is always blaming his hand for everything. Like Macbeth, he said I looked down to see what my hands had done. He is like Macduff because he is taking down someone who he belives is a bad person and has a negaive effect on society.
Brooke- She made him come to the realization that he wasn't happy. Even if he dies trying to change society at least he'll know that he is fighting for happiness. I think Clairisse had a good effect on his life
Brooke- I think that Clarisse had a good effect on Montag's life because she causes him to really see what is going on in the world and how he could change it.
Mackenzie- Mildred is like the rest of society, they obviously don't put much value to relationships and such, demonstrated by the way people treat their children, but Mildred's entire social life surrounded the "family." So i think she saw them burning as how we would take our friends all dying and leaving us. And by that time in the book, their relationship deteriorated to the point of her turning him in.
Brooke-I think that Clarisse made all the difference in Montag's life, for the good. If she had never entered his life, he probably would have remained in the same patterns, and never realized that there was something better out there. She made him "wake up" and realize that there was a problem in their society, and he could do something to change it.
Savannah- I think Montag connects more with Macduff then Macbeth because Montag's intentions are good he isn't doing these things for selfish reasons he is doing it to help the society and change his world which was basically what Macduff wanted to do.
Brooke- It depends on what way you look at it. Clarisse helped Montag get in a whole lot of trouble, but what he is trying to start (a revolution) could overpower and be better than all of the chaos he is stirring up.
Class- Is Montag justified in murdering Beatty? Beatty has killed many people, and destroyed many works of art, but does this really justify the taking of a human life?
Brooke- I think that Clarrise was definitely a positive influence on Montag. She really set this curiostity of true thought into him. Society may have him as a criminal because of how he has gone against society with these ideas, but Montag himself has finally seen the light.
Hannah- I think he was so engrossed in the adrennaline and intensity of his cause and how angry he felt about the books and Mildred that his mind may have been clousdy. By this point he is willing to do anything to save the society.
Smith- I think that he cares for her and now understands what she does and what she believes. He wished she wasn't that way but she is and he realizes he cannot change her.
Maggie-I think it is ironic that his book talks about books being banned and censorship, and keeping knowledge from the public. It is ironic that his book (Fahrenheit 451) was banned.
Steven- No, but montag's life was basically at stake. if he didn't kill Beatty he would be in jail and would never have a chance to finish his plan with Favre and help society.
Steven- When is killing someone ever truly justified? Even if the person is a murderer, they probably had a family or at least people that care about him. But Beatty is a different situation because he wanted to die.
Brooke- i think Clairisse had a good effect on Montag. I also think that we are placing alot more credit in Clairisse than what she should be given. While it is true that she opened his eyes to new things but he was taking books from burn sites before Claiisse was ever in his life.
Maggie- Maybe he is trying to show how much information books can have. He also might be trying to make the reader feel like Montag. Reading books when they are banned.
Noah - You mentioned about feeling remorse for anyone who dies, and how Montag would feel bad for Mildred but not to the extent that most spouses would feel if the other died. Do you think there was a point in their relationship (that the books has showed us) where he would have been upset?
Steven- I think that he acted out of hate and remember that Beatty always tried to sway Montag to come back to reality and forget about books. Maybe Montag wanted that temptation out of his way.
Savannah- I think the people in the society do see him as more a Macbeth character because they dont know the full story. They only know what the government is telling him and they are making him out to be a criminal.
Brooke- I think that Clarisse had both a negative and positive effect on Montag’s life. I think that he is happier now that he has read the poetry and she just really opened up his eyes. It was bad because it completely changed his life and not for the better. His wife left him and possibly died, and he is wanted by the police, but I think he is happier.
Savannah- To back up what Brooke was saying, Macbeth and Montag are similar in the way that they both get caught up in death, betray their wives and blame their hands for wrongdoing. "Thinking back later he could never decide whether the hands or Beatty's hands gave him the final push towards murder." Pg. 119
Steven- I dont think it is ever justifed to do such things. But my question is hasn't Montag done the exact same thing as Beatty, like burning and everything?
Maggie- I don't think there ever was any kind of love in their relationship considering they couldn't remember when they met. Wouldn't they have some good memories of that?
Hannah- That is a good thought. I never thought of that. I think it could also be symbolizing something better outside their society that Montag is looking for. Light could be knowledge, which is rare in the book because knowledge is rare in their brain-dead society.
Brooke Clarrissa meeting Montag was a positive effect on his life. She made him realize that he really wasn't happy and in turn he is trying to make life better for his society and nation.
Courtney - The books in the story are banned and are considered a horrible illegal thing, but the person who came up with the story of the banned books wrote a book about it? Do you think he intended that irony?
Maggie- I honestly do not think he ever would have cried for his wife. Even before he stole the books and saw the flaws in the society, he would have just taken a pill like everyone else to numb any pain that came. Even then they didn't have a deep relationship, so he may have been sad, but then just forgotten.
Andrea- There aren't really memories of anything during this time. The exception is Montag. Something is making him remember random things in his past.
Courtney- I don't think that he wanted to protect Faber becuase he was so upset that he burned Faber's earchip and was feeling regret over that because he had felt like he burned Faber as well.
Class- Since Montag killed Beatty, does this make him "bad"? We just assume that Beatty was wrong and Montag was right, but now that Montag has done some pretty bad things, doesn't this make him just as bad as Beatty? Is there anny way that Beatty could have been right in some of his actions?
Class- Do you think that Montag regrets making the choices he's made? Do you think he misses he old life? Will this affect him further on in the novel?
Rachel- Even though Montag burned the books and destroyed things like Beatty, his intent is much better than Beatty. I think that Beatty knows about all the problems of society and he knows pretty much what favre knows. But he never tried to fix it, he just kept burning. I think this is why he wanted to die too
Courtney- That was what I was thinking. I supported Montag before, but did he really have to go as far as killing someone? It really depends on the side you are on because yes, they have both done bad things.
Courtney_ that is an interesting thought, that Montag is doing all this to protect Faber. Do you think that is a main reason and justification for his actions? Because Faber is such an asset to their main goal would Montag be willing to sacrifice things for him?
Andrea - Do you think the governement would allow them to have those memories or do you think the constant occupation of those thoughts would disable them from keeping those memories and fade to the point of disapperance?
Clairissa- I disagree, you can't prove that they don't have memories. Faber recognizes Montag, a memory of him, and Beatty also remembers firefighters that have taken books.
Olivia- I think that the final push for him to burn Beatty was because of Faber because right before he killed him Beatty had discovered the earchip and said something like, "We know who this is, and we will find him after you are in jail and kill him." He wanted to protect Faber and himself from the police.
Class- Montag refers to his house/wife as a 'senseless problem'. Why does he refer to the women that he has spent most of his life with so nonchalantly?
Mackenzie- I think that he killed the other two just because he was mad and going crazy. Kind of like in Macbeth "blood will lead to more blood". I think it was also that he didn't want any witnesses just because then it makes it seem like he didn't do anything.
Chris-I think the scene where Montag almost gets run over could symbolize what is happening overall. At this point where he is challenging the system, he got caught hiding books, and by the police, although he narrowly escaped. That could be like how close the car was to hitting him, leaving the tiny black mark on his finger.
Mackenzie- Montag killed the other firemen too to probably just kill all the witnesses like a gang hit or something. He could have also acted from the adrenaline he felt after killing Beatty.
Victoria- I think he regrets it only because he sees how much work this has been and how much more work he has ahead of him. He is thinking how easy it would have been to just sit back and let this happen, but then he would be just like everyone else.
Victoria I think that Montag probably does regret his choices some of the time, but other times he is probably believes strongly in his decisions and is glad that he is trying to make a difference.
Chris- I think Bradbury added the part about the car and Montag because it symbolizes how the society is fighting Montag and how he is on the brink of death.
Andrea- That's not what I'm saying. I'm talking about sentimental memories. Does anyone remember how they met their spouse in this book? It's the important memories.
Courtney- I think it all depends on what you believe in and Montag the system is wrong and Beatty thought the system was right so were they not both right in their own opinion?
Mackenzie- Are we sure he even killed the firemen? I just thought that he knocked them out so that he could escape, and maybe not remember anything. Also if all of the firemen were killed, how did the police know about Montag killing?
Natalie- I think it is because they had no positive effect on his life. He didn't have a deep enough relationship to care. Without them, his life is the same if not better.
Whitney- I think it means that the whole world is asleep or in this trance and they need to wake up and see the reality not the dream they are living in.
Natalie- Its Probaly because even though he spent most of his life with her but were they really together? they cant even remember how they met they weren't really fully together they were just two people living in the same house
Clairissa- I still disagree, there is no actual sentence in the book that states that the government is "brainwashing" the people. It is just Montag's and Mildred's failed relationship and that their lives have fallen into a pattern so nothing is really memorable..
Whitney - I think sleep represents the kind of things it represented in Macbeth -- internal peace and contentment. People in society have to take sleeping pills to fall asleep, showing they have an artificial happiness.
Whitney- Maybe sleep is the one time the people can escape from society. They can have their own dreams and have the choice of the government of controlling them or not. Sleep kind of represents individuality and thought.
Natalie- I think he refers to his house like that because he wants change. Think about that house, it is not a very good place for him. It just reminds him that he had a wife that overdosed on pills and all she cared about was her "family' and the parlor walls. With Mildred, I don’t think he loved her. I think he cared about her as a friend because he had lived with her for 10 years, but he had his blinders on. He killed his captain that he had been working with for so long and Mildred was just another thing stopping him from getting what he wanted.
Whitney - Sleep is a place where people can forget the world and not deal with problems. Many people enjoy that " blank mind " where they don't have to think. Even in the day time, people use their intellect less and less.
Victoria- I think that Montag is shocked by his actions hust because he has spent such a long time following the crowd. However, at the same time, he doesn't wish to be back to his old life. He doesn't even get upset when his wife leaves. He is eager to go through with his and Faber's plan!
Steven Not everyone is afraid of firemen. Most people probably just look up to them as law enforcers because to them having books is just another law that needs to be enforced.
Whitney- I think sleep is emphasized so much because of how important it is to everyone. It's the time to shut down and let your mind wander and dream. Class- Do you think the sleeping pills that Mildred prevent people from dreaming?
Steven- I don't think they are afraid and in some parts they are superior. When the women was burned she would of got out the house as soon as possible, but she wanted to challenge the system.
Hannah- No, saving Faber was not jutsification for murder, but it is one reason for why he could have decided to kill him. Both people had their reasons for their actions, but Montag is not "good", he is just fighting for a good cause. Beatty is not "good" but he might have thought that what he was doing was for the better.
Steven - I think they are scared of the fact that a fireman was killed because they know it will anger the firemen even more and they have the potential to become more dangerous.
Hannah-I agree. I think it shows the state the society is in. They are fed so much junk in their minds that they don't know anything better. Montag in a sense has been "woken up" by Clarisse, and now that he knows there is something better, he doesn't want to go back to that lesser state, and wants to help everyone else realize that too. What do you mean by the whole world? Do you think that surrounding societies have similar systems?
Class- Like in Lord of the Flies with pink, I think Bradbury uses the color orange a lot, in reference to flames and the firefighters. Why is it important?
Mackenzie- I think he wants to say none of the people in this society are actually living their lives. They are just there. Day by day, just there, not really living out their lives. It shows you had bad society has gotten.
Andrea - There is no sentence that says they are brainwash, but what evidence is there to the contrary? Through all of the relationships that have played out in the book it seems like they are distance, forced, and strained.
Andrea- It's not really the government that is brainwashing the people. They are doing it to themselves by not paying attention to their families, not talking to people, and not being educated correctly. Look at those two women who came to her house. She just throws her kids into the tv room and never thinks of them again.
Mackenzie- I think that Bradbury keeps metioning numbness because it is feeling nothing so it makes the reader create their own feeling for the situation.
Mackenzie- Now that I think about it I have noticed he mentions it all the time. I think that is the feeling of the society. They are all numb and don’t know anything. Montag is different. Clarisse showed him how to feel and how to make a change.
Steven- They are not afraid of killing the firemen, they wold probably want to if they could, but they are afraid of the consequences of killing a firemen. They are also afraid of the even more powerful people behind the firemen, who are helping them.
Mackenzie- I think that the numbness is also kind of comparable to how the people have almost no train of thought and have almost a numbness in their own heads.
Mackenzie-Yes! I have noticed the notion of this numb society reoccuring a lot throughout the book. In my opinion, it is a great way to describe the society, people's morals, and the relationships in the book. "A numbness in a numbness hollowed into a numbness..." pg. 120
Class- What do you think the poorer societies where people are starving in Fahrenheit 451 are like. Do you think they are just like how third world countries are today, or are they too brainwashed in a different way?
Luke-That is an interesting idea. I think it possibly could make prevent people from dreaming, but if they knew that, they wouldn't take the pills. The probably tell the people that they are for something else. I also think they could be keeping Mildred's mind dumb, like keeping her away from knowledge, or feeding her unimportant information, sort of like the seashell.
Victoria- That's what I was thinking too. It seems like your dreams are what define what you think while you're awake. If that's true, then while your dreams are just fantasies, everything that you would think while awake would be a fantasy too
I think the hound is safety to the people. Theu say that the hound has never failed. Don't worry, he always catches who he is after so there is no reason to be scared. I think he is just another sybol for the society these people are living in.
Maggie- The hound represents how society is coming after him and just like the radio announcement that he is on the run, showing that people are looking for him and are going to turn him in.
Maggie- I think that the hound could represent Beatty, because if Montag somehow beat Beatty, there was the hound behind him. It could also represent the firemen, it is just another extention of controlling.
Class-What does the conversation between the ladies at the beginning of this reading tell us about the society? (when they are talking about their marriages and children)
Maggie- I think the hound is kind of represents the cruushing of thoughts of the people. It snuffs out all the people that really hold the hope of society and simply destroys them.
Whitney- i think it tells us that in that socity women have children because that is supposed to be the "perfect life" a nice house husband and children. i dont think that they really want them
Class - Do you think there was a reason behind Beatty not resisting being killed by Montag?
ReplyDeleteVictoria- Beatty probably knew that Montag would break and loose his temper to him. He saw it coming and there was no way to resist him.
ReplyDeleteVictoria- I think he realized the truth behind Montag's thoughts but wasnt quite at the level of his thinking so he didn't want to seem defeated. He chose to just get rid of himself to end a mental struggle.
ReplyDeleteVictoria- I think Beatty was like everyone else in the society. He was depressed, maybe bored with his life, so he didn't care if he died. I think he was almost relived he didn't have to live in this society anymore.
ReplyDeleteVictoria: Maybe Beatty was for the cause and had to die to spark the fire in Montag.
ReplyDeleteVictoria- I think he didn't resist because deep down he realized his life's work was wrong. And everyones life in this society doesn't have quality so death isn't that bad.
ReplyDeleteVictoria- I feel like maybe Beatty wanted to be killed. he just knew it wasnt right and there was no reason for him to live.
ReplyDeleteClass-
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think that Montag believes that Beatty wanted to die?
Victoria- Maybe he realized that his life wasn't worth it. Nothing to live for.
ReplyDeleteVitoria
ReplyDeleteI think that Beatty did not resist death because he didn't really enjoy the life that he was stuck in living by being the captian fireman.
Victoria- Beatty probably didn't resist much becasue he might've realized he was also unhappy with the way everything was going. So this was his way of suicide, because he most likely saw it coming.
ReplyDeleteVictoria- I think like Montag said in the book- he wanted to die. I think he agreed with Montag about the society but felt to involved to stand up like Montag.
ReplyDeleteVictoria- I think that just like many other people in the society, Beatty wasn't happy. He basically wanted to die as Montag realizes on pg. 122
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteVictoria- I think that there is definetly a reason for why Beatty wanted to die. He might not have wanted to do a firemen job anymore, but instead of being like Montag and rebelling, he just could have wanted to not deal with this anymore.
ReplyDeleteAnna- Thats a good point. He may have let Montag kill him because he knew the truth about the society. It may have all been too much for him.
ReplyDeleteClarissa- I think Montag wanted to believe Beatty wanted to die becuase he wants to believe that Beatty isn't a terrible person and that Montag isn't alone in this.
ReplyDeleteRachel - Good point, maybe death was easier then having to live with the reprecussions and the shame.
ReplyDeleteClass-
ReplyDeleteIsn't it ironic that Beatty died by fire? What do you think that symbolizes?
Victoria- i think that Beatty didn't really think that Montag would commit to killing him. Or that Beatty didn't really want to live.
ReplyDeleteClass- Does burning hold the same pleasure for Montag as it did in the beginning of the book?
ReplyDeleteMackenzie- Yeah, he may have said Mackenzie wanted to die as an excuse or killing him. Just like he says his hands do everything, it was just something to make his consience clear.
ReplyDeleteSteven - It is a good case of irony. I think it symbolizes that you can be betrayed not only by your friends, but also the things you stand for.
ReplyDeleteSteven- He always said that fire was a cleaning product so to speak, he never realized he was the "bacteria".
ReplyDeleteClass- What have been Montag's motives/reasons for challenging the system?
ReplyDeleteSteven- I think Beatty dieing by burning symbolizes that fire is distructive and that it wont solve any problems by using it, in the long run it will just destroy everything that has been made.
ReplyDeleteStevan- I think it shows that even powerful people are not invincible. They can die by the same thing they use to kill.
ReplyDeleteSteven
ReplyDeleteBeatty's death by fire is ironic because it is showing that no matter who you are (captian of a fire crew or a rebel against society) fire can still burn you.
Victoria- I agree with Brooke. I think that everyone in this society would be okay to die tomorrow. They all are just putting on happy faces but then they go take a bunch of pills and they just don't really care about living. I think that also he had already gotten his victory of catching Montag and burning his house so he knew it was coming.
ReplyDeleteMackenzie - Yes, I think it does because when he was burning his own house it says that he remembered the pleasure of burning, even though it was his own house.
ReplyDeleteSteven- Beatty basically said to use fire to end something that was bothering you. I don't think he was aware that it could be changed to people from books.
ReplyDeleteVictoria- I think he thought he wanted to die because he couldn't see his men Montag betray him and read the books.
ReplyDeleteMackenzie- I believe it still does. We even get pleasure from buring (especially if you are a pyromaniac). But he realizes what are really the bad things that are meant to be burnt or "cleaned".
ReplyDeleteVictoria-
ReplyDeleteBeatty is a smart man, so he knew what he was doing when he gave Montag the flamethrower, which can be used as a weapon. Because of the current evidence, I think Beatty did want to die.
Courtney- Clairesse is the main reason for him CTS. If Clairesse had never come to the city, he would never had his eyes opened to the world around him and what they were doing.
ReplyDeleteVictoria-
ReplyDeleteI think that just as the inner cirlce is saying, Beatty secretly supported books but he couldn't voice that because he was the head of the firemen.
Mackenzie-I think that it does, because when he was burning down his own house he still loved it and admired the power of the fire. I think that since the beginning of the book he has realized the enormous power of fire, whereas before he just treated fire like a job.
ReplyDeleteClass- The way that Montag killed Beatty was very brutal. Why do you think the author did this?
ReplyDeleteSteven - I think it kind of shows the "changing of the tides", that those who burned books are now being burned themselves. It might be foreshadowing to future events in society.
ReplyDeletePaul- How has Clarissee motivated him though?
ReplyDeleteCourtney- I think Montag knows to much now to go back to his normal lifestyle. He is trying to show everyone that how they live is boring and depressing. They really are not living life the right way.
ReplyDeleteClass- Why did Mildred feel more upset about her 'family' burning then Montag's life basically going up in flames?
ReplyDeletePaul-
ReplyDeleteI disagree. Montag already had stolen books and stashed them behind the ventilator grille, so he probably would've challenged the system on his own.
Makenzie- I think that in the begging of the book burning ment something different to Montag then it did before. In the begging it ment that he was keeping people in line and life was moving so fast that it was the only thing he knew to do and he kind of through himself into his wok because that was all he had. But now that he is slowing down and taking the time to smell the "danelions" he can see that even though he enjoys burning things he is starting to think maybe he is not burning the right things.
ReplyDeleteClarissa- This was what Steven was talking about, the irony of Beatty being killed by what he loved most.
ReplyDeleteSteven- Great thought. I completely agree. Its at the idea that evil people with evil morals will always be defeated by "evil" in the end. We see this trend in Macbeth too. It will always come back to haunt them.
ReplyDeleteCourtney- Clairesse opened his eyes to see that there is more to the world around than previously known.
ReplyDeleteCourtney-
ReplyDeleteHis reasons for challenging the system are the thing that he doesn't understand. He knows that society is falling apart but hedoesn't know how to deal with it. He also remembers how Mildred used to be and he sees sees that she has changed so greatly since then.
Class- relating to what Chad said, how does Montag relate to Macbeth, Macduff?
ReplyDeleteAndrea-
ReplyDeleteI agree with that statement because it has said several times that burning things and use of fure is like a cleansing act.
Mackenzie- Her family was the only thing that she ever liked. She never really understood everything else. Plus, she figured that Montag was going crazy anyway so he just wasn't worth it anymore.
ReplyDeleteCourtney- I think that the thought that people were "dead" without knowledge motivated his actions. I do think that he had people who motivated and sparked his curiosity too, such as Faber and Clarisse.
ReplyDeleteClass- Do you think Clarisse had a good or bad effect on Montag's life?
ReplyDeleteAnna- I completely agree, it was ironic because Beatty was so...consumed by the idea of fire and burning stuff, and thinking he was so powerful he could never be harmed by it.
ReplyDeleteClass-What could light symbolize in this book? (such as the overhead lights, headlights, starlight, moonlight, candlelight, houselights...etc)
ReplyDeleteCourtney- I think that Clarisse had a big impact on why he decided to challenge the system. Before he met her I think that he was unhappy with his life but was not actually going to do anything about it. After he talked to Clarisse he started to realize the way things used to be and that society just was not right.
ReplyDeleteAndrea- or maybe he figured he should die by something he loved.
ReplyDeleteCourtney - I think Montag's reasonings for challenging the system, is that he finally realized what's going on. Clarisse asked him one question, "Are you happy?" and from then on his whole life changed. Also since he is part of the system he has more insight, understanding, and information then other citizens.
ReplyDeleteSavannah- He is always blaming his hand for everything. Like Macbeth, he said I looked down to see what my hands had done. He is like Macduff because he is taking down someone who he belives is a bad person and has a negaive effect on society.
ReplyDeleteClass- what do you think motivated Montags decision to kill Beatty? What sis he think it would accomplish?
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ReplyDeleteBrooke-
ReplyDeleteShe made him come to the realization that he wasn't happy. Even if he dies trying to change society at least he'll know that he is fighting for happiness. I think Clairisse had a good effect on his life
Whitney- I think light is the future, I think at the end the society will be better.
ReplyDeleteBrooke- I think that Clarisse had a good effect on Montag's life because she causes him to really see what is going on in the world and how he could change it.
ReplyDeleteMackenzie- Mildred is like the rest of society, they obviously don't put much value to relationships and such, demonstrated by the way people treat their children, but Mildred's entire social life surrounded the "family." So i think she saw them burning as how we would take our friends all dying and leaving us. And by that time in the book, their relationship deteriorated to the point of her turning him in.
ReplyDeleteClass- Do you have any predictions as to what will happen next in the novel?
ReplyDeleteWhitney- The light is the things unnoticed. They dont notice the stars or moon, or anything around them
ReplyDeleteBrooke-I think that Clarisse made all the difference in Montag's life, for the good. If she had never entered his life, he probably would have remained in the same patterns, and never realized that there was something better out there. She made him "wake up" and realize that there was a problem in their society, and he could do something to change it.
ReplyDeleteSavannah- I think Montag connects more with Macduff then Macbeth because Montag's intentions are good he isn't doing these things for selfish reasons he is doing it to help the society and change his world which was basically what Macduff wanted to do.
ReplyDeleteClass- What do you think Montag's reaction to Mildred turning him in was? How do you think that relates to Macbeth and the death of Lady Macbeth?
ReplyDeleteClass - Do you think Bradbury intended any irony with the fact that he wrote a book about a place where books are banned?
ReplyDeleteBrooke- It depends on what way you look at it. Clarisse helped Montag get in a whole lot of trouble, but what he is trying to start (a revolution) could overpower and be better than all of the chaos he is stirring up.
ReplyDeleteClass-
ReplyDeleteIs Montag justified in murdering Beatty? Beatty has killed many people, and destroyed many works of art, but does this really justify the taking of a human life?
Whitney- I think that light symbolizes the drive to go on and find the right things in the society, the good things.
ReplyDeleteMaggie - It might be a way of saying, "If you ignore my book, you're doing just what the people in my book are doing."
ReplyDeleteMackenzie- do you think if you were living in this society and you saw Montag doing this you would see him more as a Macbeth figure?
ReplyDeleteBrooke- I think that Clarrise was definitely a positive influence on Montag. She really set this curiostity of true thought into him. Society may have him as a criminal because of how he has gone against society with these ideas, but Montag himself has finally seen the light.
ReplyDeleteHannah- I think he was so engrossed in the adrennaline and intensity of his cause and how angry he felt about the books and Mildred that his mind may have been clousdy. By this point he is willing to do anything to save the society.
ReplyDeleteMaggie- What do you mean?
ReplyDeleteSmith- I think that he cares for her and now understands what she does and what she believes. He wished she wasn't that way but she is and he realizes he cannot change her.
ReplyDeleteMaggie-I think it is ironic that his book talks about books being banned and censorship, and keeping knowledge from the public. It is ironic that his book (Fahrenheit 451) was banned.
ReplyDeleteSteven-
ReplyDeleteNo, but montag's life was basically at stake. if he didn't kill Beatty he would be in jail and would never have a chance to finish his plan with Favre and help society.
Steven- When is killing someone ever truly justified? Even if the person is a murderer, they probably had a family or at least people that care about him. But Beatty is a different situation because he wanted to die.
ReplyDeleteBrooke-
ReplyDeletei think Clairisse had a good effect on Montag. I also think that we are placing alot more credit in Clairisse than what she should be given. While it is true that she opened his eyes to new things but he was taking books from burn sites before Claiisse was ever in his life.
Maggie- Maybe he is trying to show how much information books can have. He also might be trying to make the reader feel like Montag. Reading books when they are banned.
ReplyDeleteSteven - I don't think the murder was justified. I doesn't matter how many books were destroyed, it's not justified to take a life.
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ReplyDeleteNoah - You mentioned about feeling remorse for anyone who dies, and how Montag would feel bad for Mildred but not to the extent that most spouses would feel if the other died. Do you think there was a point in their relationship (that the books has showed us) where he would have been upset?
ReplyDeleteSteven- I think that he acted out of hate and remember that Beatty always tried to sway Montag to come back to reality and forget about books. Maybe Montag wanted that temptation out of his way.
ReplyDeleteHannah- He just panicked, he didn't want to go to jail, and he wanted to protect his friend Faber.
ReplyDeleteSavannah- I think the people in the society do see him as more a Macbeth character because they dont know the full story. They only know what the government is telling him and they are making him out to be a criminal.
ReplyDeleteBrooke- I think that Clarisse had both a negative and positive effect on Montag’s life. I think that he is happier now that he has read the poetry and she just really opened up his eyes. It was bad because it completely changed his life and not for the better. His wife left him and possibly died, and he is wanted by the police, but I think he is happier.
ReplyDeleteOlivia- Thats true. So do you think he would have done these things even if he had not met Clarisse?
ReplyDeleteSavannah- To back up what Brooke was saying, Macbeth and Montag are similar in the way that they both get caught up in death, betray their wives and blame their hands for wrongdoing. "Thinking back later he could never decide whether the hands or Beatty's hands gave him the final push towards murder." Pg. 119
ReplyDeleteSteven- I dont think it is ever justifed to do such things. But my question is hasn't Montag done the exact same thing as Beatty, like burning and everything?
ReplyDeleteChris - So do you see it as a publicity stunt, or a thought provoking idea?
ReplyDeleteNatalie- Great point.
ReplyDeleteMackenzie- I agree. I think it has a lot to with perspective
Maggie- I don't think there ever was any kind of love in their relationship considering they couldn't remember when they met. Wouldn't they have some good memories of that?
ReplyDeleteHannah- That is a good thought. I never thought of that. I think it could also be symbolizing something better outside their society that Montag is looking for. Light could be knowledge, which is rare in the book because knowledge is rare in their brain-dead society.
ReplyDeleteBrooke
ReplyDeleteClarrissa meeting Montag was a positive effect on his life. She made him realize that he really wasn't happy and in turn he is trying to make life better for his society and nation.
Maggie - I see it as more of a thought provoking idea.
ReplyDeleteCourtney - The books in the story are banned and are considered a horrible illegal thing, but the person who came up with the story of the banned books wrote a book about it? Do you think he intended that irony?
ReplyDeleteClass- Why did Bradbury add the scene about Montag almost being run over?
ReplyDeleteMaggie- I honestly do not think he ever would have cried for his wife. Even before he stole the books and saw the flaws in the society, he would have just taken a pill like everyone else to numb any pain that came. Even then they didn't have a deep relationship, so he may have been sad, but then just forgotten.
ReplyDeleteAndrea- There aren't really memories of anything during this time. The exception is Montag. Something is making him remember random things in his past.
ReplyDeleteCourtney-
ReplyDeleteI don't think that he wanted to protect Faber becuase he was so upset that he burned Faber's earchip and was feeling regret over that because he had felt like he burned Faber as well.
Class- Since Montag killed Beatty, does this make him "bad"? We just assume that Beatty was wrong and Montag was right, but now that Montag has done some pretty bad things, doesn't this make him just as bad as Beatty? Is there anny way that Beatty could have been right in some of his actions?
ReplyDeleteClass- Do you think that Montag regrets making the choices he's made? Do you think he misses he old life? Will this affect him further on in the novel?
ReplyDeleteRachel-
ReplyDeleteEven though Montag burned the books and destroyed things like Beatty, his intent is much better than Beatty. I think that Beatty knows about all the problems of society and he knows pretty much what favre knows. But he never tried to fix it, he just kept burning. I think this is why he wanted to die too
Class- Why did Montag also kill the other two fireman? They were ignorant just as he was.
ReplyDeleteCourtney- That was what I was thinking. I supported Montag before, but did he really have to go as far as killing someone? It really depends on the side you are on because yes, they have both done bad things.
ReplyDeleteCourtney_ that is an interesting thought, that Montag is doing all this to protect Faber. Do you think that is a main reason and justification for his actions? Because Faber is such an asset to their main goal would Montag be willing to sacrifice things for him?
ReplyDeleteMackenzie - I think he probably didn't mean to kill them, he just got carried away after he killed Beatty and the Hound.
ReplyDeleteAndrea - Do you think the governement would allow them to have those memories or do you think the constant occupation of those thoughts would disable them from keeping those memories and fade to the point of disapperance?
ReplyDeleteVictoria- I think there is some regret for Montag about the choices he has made but he has gone too far to turn back now.
ReplyDeleteClairissa- I disagree, you can't prove that they don't have memories. Faber recognizes Montag, a memory of him, and Beatty also remembers firefighters that have taken books.
ReplyDeleteMackenzie-
ReplyDeleteHe killed them because they were witnesses. They saw him kill beatty and they could easily turn him in. It's a common thing with murder
Mackenzie-
ReplyDeleteDid he kill the other two firemen?
Mackenzie - I think he killed them because they were witnesses to him murdering a man.
ReplyDeleteOlivia- I think that the final push for him to burn Beatty was because of Faber because right before he killed him Beatty had discovered the earchip and said something like, "We know who this is, and we will find him after you are in jail and kill him." He wanted to protect Faber and himself from the police.
ReplyDeleteClass- Montag refers to his house/wife as a 'senseless problem'. Why does he refer to the women that he has spent most of his life with so nonchalantly?
ReplyDeleteMackenzie- I think that he killed the other two just because he was mad and going crazy. Kind of like in Macbeth "blood will lead to more blood". I think it was also that he didn't want any witnesses just because then it makes it seem like he didn't do anything.
ReplyDeletePaul-
ReplyDeleteDon't you think that the current technology (in the book) would allow them to monitor current events?
Chris-
ReplyDeleteMy intial thought is that it was to show Montags paranoia but i feel like there is a deeper meaning although i'm not sure what it would be.
Chris-I think the scene where Montag almost gets run over could symbolize what is happening overall. At this point where he is challenging the system, he got caught hiding books, and by the police, although he narrowly escaped. That could be like how close the car was to hitting him, leaving the tiny black mark on his finger.
ReplyDeleteVictoria- I think Montag is compared to Macbeth in this situation because I think he will feel the guilt that Macbeth in order to get power.
ReplyDeleteMackenzie- Montag killed the other firemen too to probably just kill all the witnesses like a gang hit or something. He could have also acted from the adrenaline he felt after killing Beatty.
ReplyDeleteMaggie- Like I said above, I don't think that the government has any control over memories or it would of been a more prominent thing.
ReplyDeleteVictoria- I think he regrets it only because he sees how much work this has been and how much more work he has ahead of him. He is thinking how easy it would have been to just sit back and let this happen, but then he would be just like everyone else.
ReplyDeleteDominic- Yes. He did kill the other two firemen.
ReplyDeleteWhitney - I agree.
ReplyDeleteVictoria
ReplyDeleteI think that Montag probably does regret his choices some of the time, but other times he is probably believes strongly in his decisions and is glad that he is trying to make a difference.
Mackenzie- I don't think he actually killed the other two firemen, but just knocked them out.
ReplyDeleteSteven- Yes they would be able to, if they chose to use it or not.
ReplyDeleteChris- I think Bradbury added the part about the car and Montag because it symbolizes how the society is fighting Montag and how he is on the brink of death.
ReplyDeleteAndrea- That's not what I'm saying. I'm talking about sentimental memories. Does anyone remember how they met their spouse in this book? It's the important memories.
ReplyDeleteClass-Why do you think Bradbury would emphasize sleep so much in this book?
ReplyDeleteCourtney- I think it all depends on what you believe in and Montag the system is wrong and Beatty thought the system was right so were they not both right in their own opinion?
ReplyDeleteNatalie - By not involving himself emotionally with Mildred and his house, he can move on. In this society,I do not think one mourns over such things.
ReplyDeleteMackenzie- Are we sure he even killed the firemen? I just thought that he knocked them out so that he could escape, and maybe not remember anything. Also if all of the firemen were killed, how did the police know about Montag killing?
ReplyDeleteNatalie- I think it is because they had no positive effect on his life. He didn't have a deep enough relationship to care. Without them, his life is the same if not better.
ReplyDeleteWhitney- I think it means that the whole world is asleep or in this trance and they need to wake up and see the reality not the dream they are living in.
ReplyDeleteClass-
ReplyDeleteIf people are afraid of firemen, why would they be afraid if the firemen were killed?
Natalie- Its Probaly because even though he spent most of his life with her but were they really together? they cant even remember how they met they weren't really fully together they were just two people living in the same house
ReplyDeleteClairissa- I still disagree, there is no actual sentence in the book that states that the government is "brainwashing" the people. It is just Montag's and Mildred's failed relationship and that their lives have fallen into a pattern so nothing is really memorable..
ReplyDeleteWhitney - I think sleep represents the kind of things it represented in Macbeth -- internal peace and contentment. People in society have to take sleeping pills to fall asleep, showing they have an artificial happiness.
ReplyDeleteWhitney- Maybe sleep is the one time the people can escape from society. They can have their own dreams and have the choice of the government of controlling them or not. Sleep kind of represents individuality and thought.
ReplyDeleteNatalie- I think he refers to his house like that because he wants change. Think about that house, it is not a very good place for him. It just reminds him that he had a wife that overdosed on pills and all she cared about was her "family' and the parlor walls. With Mildred, I don’t think he loved her. I think he cared about her as a friend because he had lived with her for 10 years, but he had his blinders on. He killed his captain that he had been working with for so long and Mildred was just another thing stopping him from getting what he wanted.
ReplyDeleteCourtney- I just got the impression that they were killed, but I could be wrong. I thought that he knocked them out and the fell into the fire.
ReplyDeleteRachel- Exactly.
ReplyDeleteWhitney - Sleep is a place where people can forget the world and not deal with problems. Many people enjoy that " blank mind " where they don't have to think. Even in the day time, people use their intellect less and less.
ReplyDeleteVictoria- I think that Montag is shocked by his actions hust because he has spent such a long time following the crowd. However, at the same time, he doesn't wish to be back to his old life. He doesn't even get upset when his wife leaves. He is eager to go through with his and Faber's plan!
ReplyDeleteSteven - How do you know people are afraid of firemen?
ReplyDeleteSteven- If the people are afraid of the firemen, wouldn't they also be afraid of someone who could get rid of all the firemen?
ReplyDeleteSteven
ReplyDeleteNot everyone is afraid of firemen. Most people probably just look up to them as law enforcers because to them having books is just another law that needs to be enforced.
Whitney-
ReplyDeleteI think sleep is emphasized so much because of how important it is to everyone. It's the time to shut down and let your mind wander and dream. Class- Do you think the sleeping pills that Mildred prevent people from dreaming?
Maddie- I couldn't have said it better. :)
ReplyDeleteSteven- because the society is scared of what would happen if the system started to fall apart and what would happen if there was change in the world.
ReplyDeleteClass- Has anyone else noticed the reoccuring mention of numbness? Why does Bradbury use this?
ReplyDeleteSteven- I think because firemen have so much power. If one is killed, what is going to happen to society? The people are afraid of change.
ReplyDeleteSteven- I don't think they are afraid and in some parts they are superior. When the women was burned she would of got out the house as soon as possible, but she wanted to challenge the system.
ReplyDeleteLuke - Or maybe they allow you to have a fantasy dream, like how the TV parolor " families".
ReplyDeleteHannah- No, saving Faber was not jutsification for murder, but it is one reason for why he could have decided to kill him. Both people had their reasons for their actions, but Montag is not "good", he is just fighting for a good cause. Beatty is not "good" but he might have thought that what he was doing was for the better.
ReplyDeleteSteven - I think they are scared of the fact that a fireman was killed because they know it will anger the firemen even more and they have the potential to become more dangerous.
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ReplyDeleteHannah-I agree. I think it shows the state the society is in. They are fed so much junk in their minds that they don't know anything better. Montag in a sense has been "woken up" by Clarisse, and now that he knows there is something better, he doesn't want to go back to that lesser state, and wants to help everyone else realize that too. What do you mean by the whole world? Do you think that surrounding societies have similar systems?
ReplyDeleteClass- what do you think the significance of a fireman burning another fellow fireman? What does this show about society?
ReplyDeleteClass- Like in Lord of the Flies with pink, I think Bradbury uses the color orange a lot, in reference to flames and the firefighters. Why is it important?
ReplyDeleteMackenzie- I think he wants to say none of the people in this society are actually living their lives. They are just there. Day by day, just there, not really living out their lives. It shows you had bad society has gotten.
ReplyDeleteMackenzie - It might be symbolizing the "numbness" of people's minds in this society
ReplyDeleteAndrea - There is no sentence that says they are brainwash, but what evidence is there to the contrary? Through all of the relationships that have played out in the book it seems like they are distance, forced, and strained.
ReplyDeleteAndrea- It's not really the government that is brainwashing the people. They are doing it to themselves by not paying attention to their families, not talking to people, and not being educated correctly. Look at those two women who came to her house. She just throws her kids into the tv room and never thinks of them again.
ReplyDeleteMackenzie- I think that Bradbury keeps metioning numbness because it is feeling nothing so it makes the reader create their own feeling for the situation.
ReplyDeleteMackenzie- Now that I think about it I have noticed he mentions it all the time. I think that is the feeling of the society. They are all numb and don’t know anything. Montag is different. Clarisse showed him how to feel and how to make a change.
ReplyDeleteClass - What does the hound represent in this chapter?
ReplyDeleteMackenzie- I think that numbness also shows that Montag didn't feel anything after he murdered Beatty.
ReplyDeleteSteven- They are not afraid of killing the firemen, they wold probably want to if they could, but they are afraid of the consequences of killing a firemen. They are also afraid of the even more powerful people behind the firemen, who are helping them.
ReplyDeleteMackenzie- I think that the numbness is also kind of comparable to how the people have almost no train of thought and have almost a numbness in their own heads.
ReplyDeleteBrooke- It seems like these people are emotionless, but if Montag is supposed to be different then why does he sometimes feel this way?
ReplyDeleteMackenzie-Yes! I have noticed the notion of this numb society reoccuring a lot throughout the book. In my opinion, it is a great way to describe the society, people's morals, and the relationships in the book. "A numbness in a numbness hollowed into a numbness..." pg. 120
ReplyDeleteClass- What do you think the poorer societies where people are starving in Fahrenheit 451 are like. Do you think they are just like how third world countries are today, or are they too brainwashed in a different way?
ReplyDeleteHannah- It shows they aren't loyal to each other and show they aren't completely happy with what they are doing in society.
ReplyDeleteHannah- I agree I think that it shows Montag did not feel bad or guilty after he killed Beatty. He did not feel anything at all.
ReplyDeleteLuke-That is an interesting idea. I think it possibly could make prevent people from dreaming, but if they knew that, they wouldn't take the pills. The probably tell the people that they are for something else. I also think they could be keeping Mildred's mind dumb, like keeping her away from knowledge, or feeding her unimportant information, sort of like the seashell.
ReplyDeleteClairissa- yes..and..? what does that have to do with memories?
ReplyDeleteMaggie- So far the relationships we have seen are all Montag's. I would say that with Clarisse and Faber there is no strain or force at all.
Mackenzie- I have only noticed numbness with the injection in Montag's leg. Where else have you seen this?
ReplyDeleteVictoria- That's what I was thinking too. It seems like your dreams are what define what you think while you're awake. If that's true, then while your dreams are just fantasies, everything that you would think while awake would be a fantasy too
ReplyDeleteI think the hound is safety to the people. Theu say that the hound has never failed. Don't worry, he always catches who he is after so there is no reason to be scared. I think he is just another sybol for the society these people are living in.
ReplyDeleteMaggie- The hound represents how society is coming after him and just like the radio announcement that he is on the run, showing that people are looking for him and are going to turn him in.
ReplyDeleteMaggie- I think that the hound could represent Beatty, because if Montag somehow beat Beatty, there was the hound behind him. It could also represent the firemen, it is just another extention of controlling.
ReplyDeleteClass-What does the conversation between the ladies at the beginning of this reading tell us about the society? (when they are talking about their marriages and children)
ReplyDeleteMaggie- I think the hound is kind of represents the cruushing of thoughts of the people. It snuffs out all the people that really hold the hope of society and simply destroys them.
ReplyDeleteNatalie- That's the exact quote I was thinking of. I think everyone is numb but doesnt realize it while Montag is trying to fight it.
ReplyDeleteCourtney- thats a great connection that the hound represents how if Beatty was alive he would still be chasing after him.
ReplyDeleteWhitney- i think it tells us that in that socity women have children because that is supposed to be the "perfect life" a nice house husband and children. i dont think that they really want them
ReplyDelete