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Fahrenheit 451 Quotes

Decent Essays

“It was a pleasure to burn” (Bradbury 3). This opening quote of Ray Bradbury’s futuristic novel, Fahrenheit 451, is a critical one. This line is spoken by the protagonist, Guy Montag. He is a fireman but not the everyday stereotypical type; he enjoys burning. He lives in a futuristic society in which a fireman’s job is to burn prohibited literature. He is a brave, rash, rebellious character. Guy’s round, dynamic character is shown throughout his actions in the novel. Guy is a fireman who takes pride in his profession. He is a third generation fireman of about thirty years old who loves to burn. Guy lives in a society where books are banned because they encourage creativity and free thinking. This futuristic government wants society to …show more content…

This one girl’s simple question sets the plot into motion. Guy goes home where he thinks it over. The ventilator grille catches his eye because he is hiding something; he felt the guilt of hiding something illegal: books. He feels guilt and regret for failing to love his wife. It is not until after he burns the house of an old lady who refused to leave her books. He burned both but stole a book from her house. He was brave enough to keep one book that he was supposed to burn, and he even had the gut to show Mildred. This is the point where his rebellion began. When he could not speak to Mildred about his ideas, he bravely went to Faber, a man he only met one time, asking for assistance. This is the moment when his perspective begins to change. He decides to read a piece of poetry to Mildred and her friends, Mrs. Bowles and Mrs. Phelps, knowing they are conformists. Although he knows they probably will not support reading, he takes the risk. His rash character causes him to not think about the possible consequences of reading to these ladies. After the burning of the woman, he faces the dilemma of his love and hate for his job. His bravery and

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