Who are the main characters in the novel? Do you like them? Why or why not? What is special about them? What do they reveal about the universal human experience?
The main characters in Fahrenheit 451 are Guy Montag, Captain Beatty, Faber, and Clarisse McClellan. I liked Clarisse, Faber, and Montag, but I did not like Captain Beatty. I think the personalities of Clarisse, Faber, and Montag appealed to me because they chose to be different from everyone else and find the true meaning of life. They knew that, no matter how hard the government tried to keep people from having different opinions, people would always have different thoughts and would always want to know, "Why?" I especially liked Clarisse because she was the one who was most connected to reality and influenced Montag to start reading books.
I did not like Captain Beatty because he believed that books were dangerous. He was blinded by the false reality of trying to create a utopian society by keeping opinion, philosophy, and thought away from people. The thing that really angered me, though, was the fact that it seemed like he had actually read some books. For example, he once said to Montag, "Colored people don't like Little Black Sambo. White people don't feel good about Uncle Tom's Cabin. Burn it." (Pg. 59) He knew books and the fact that people had different opinions about them.
In a way, all these characters are "special". Montag at first didn't question the joy of burning or why he burned. However, because of the uniqueness of Clarisse, Montag became curious. Montag was slowly drawn away from the burning world and finally opened his eyes to the treasure that books had: thought, philosophy, and opinions. Faber was special because he still held onto the hope that someday he would be able to bring books back to the world. When Montag asked him if he cared about books he answered, "I care so much I'm sick." (Pg. 88) Captain Beatty was very "special" as well, if that word can be used for him. He believed fast and cheap entertainment was good, just like Mildred, Montag's wife, but unlike her, he was smart. He was very smart when arguing against books. However, he must have hated his life of burning, because he had wanted to die and allowed Montag to burn him to death.
All four characters reveal something about the universal human experience. Captain Beatty is the blinded man fighting to keep a utopian society by using violence. He just tells everyone, "Be happy! Don't think, just live your life and don't worry." Clarisse is like the girl who tells people to be different and stay connected to the truth. She's the one who asks, "Are you happy?" (Pg. 10) and makes people contemplate the meaning of their happiness. Faber is the scared man hoping for change. He's too scared to do anything on his own, but is willing to risk his life if only somebody will help him. He says, "We can bring the truth back. We have a plan, and it will work." Montag is the curious truth-finder. At first, he is like Captain Beatty: blinded by thinking that burning books will bring a utopian society. However, after he finds out what being happy really means, he realizes the truth. Montag asks himself, "Am I happy? I thought burning brought me happiness, but now I know it doesn't. My happiness burns just like the flames burn the books. My happiness is the books."
The main characters in Fahrenheit 451 are Guy Montag, Captain Beatty, Faber, and Clarisse McClellan. I liked Clarisse, Faber, and Montag, but I did not like Captain Beatty. I think the personalities of Clarisse, Faber, and Montag appealed to me because they chose to be different from everyone else and find the true meaning of life. They knew that, no matter how hard the government tried to keep people from having different opinions, people would always have different thoughts and would always want to know, "Why?" I especially liked Clarisse because she was the one who was most connected to reality and influenced Montag to start reading books.
I did not like Captain Beatty because he believed that books were dangerous. He was blinded by the false reality of trying to create a utopian society by keeping opinion, philosophy, and thought away from people. The thing that really angered me, though, was the fact that it seemed like he had actually read some books. For example, he once said to Montag, "Colored people don't like Little Black Sambo. White people don't feel good about Uncle Tom's Cabin. Burn it." (Pg. 59) He knew books and the fact that people had different opinions about them.
In a way, all these characters are "special". Montag at first didn't question the joy of burning or why he burned. However, because of the uniqueness of Clarisse, Montag became curious. Montag was slowly drawn away from the burning world and finally opened his eyes to the treasure that books had: thought, philosophy, and opinions. Faber was special because he still held onto the hope that someday he would be able to bring books back to the world. When Montag asked him if he cared about books he answered, "I care so much I'm sick." (Pg. 88) Captain Beatty was very "special" as well, if that word can be used for him. He believed fast and cheap entertainment was good, just like Mildred, Montag's wife, but unlike her, he was smart. He was very smart when arguing against books. However, he must have hated his life of burning, because he had wanted to die and allowed Montag to burn him to death.
All four characters reveal something about the universal human experience. Captain Beatty is the blinded man fighting to keep a utopian society by using violence. He just tells everyone, "Be happy! Don't think, just live your life and don't worry." Clarisse is like the girl who tells people to be different and stay connected to the truth. She's the one who asks, "Are you happy?" (Pg. 10) and makes people contemplate the meaning of their happiness. Faber is the scared man hoping for change. He's too scared to do anything on his own, but is willing to risk his life if only somebody will help him. He says, "We can bring the truth back. We have a plan, and it will work." Montag is the curious truth-finder. At first, he is like Captain Beatty: blinded by thinking that burning books will bring a utopian society. However, after he finds out what being happy really means, he realizes the truth. Montag asks himself, "Am I happy? I thought burning brought me happiness, but now I know it doesn't. My happiness burns just like the flames burn the books. My happiness is the books."
2 comments:
Excellent comments. Mrs.Mc.
I only like Clarisse, too.
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