Fahrenheit 451 Effect On Society

“I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if I talk long enough, it’ll make sense,” (78;pt.2) Montag tells Faber while contemplating the desired effect on society. In the novel Fahrenheit 451, Montag’s society is ignorant to their overbearing government. As a fireman, he discovers his displeasure with current affairs early in the story. Embracing his desire to alter others’ lives, Montag seeks out an old man named Faber. Faber helps broaden Montag’s horizons by teaching him how life was before books were burned. However, Montag fails to discover anything he can contribute to society. Montag becomes an effective catalyst only after he escapes the poisonous society of Fahrenheit 451. Montag first attempts to change society by
In the beginning, Montag desires to learn about the world of literature which he has always rejected without question. He realises his thirst for knowledge after an old woman burns herself protecting her books. After seeing the woman’s passion, Montag makes it his priority to understand the meaning behind her actions. In pursuit of his new goal, Montag reconnects with Faber. While conversing, Montag decides the best form of action is to revolt against the firemen because “the firemen structure itself could be burnt” (81;pt.2). However, Montag’s plan quickly goes awry, as his emotions begin to take the reigns. Montag dramatically goes rogue, reacting foolishly to his wife's friends. As a result, the women turn Montag in, causing a rift with his chief, Beatty. As punishment, Beatty forces Montag to burn his house and attempts to arrest him. Eventually, Montag’s anger boils over and he is “push[ed] toward[s] murder” (113; pt.3). Consequently, Montag sets Beatty on fire, ultimately killing him. Entirely off the beaten path, Montag decides to scrap his plans and run. Mid-flee, he makes a passing decision to continue his plan of harming the other firemens’ reputations. When Montag enters fellow fireman’s house and hides literature, the reader finds that Montag’s emotions hampers his ability to productively impact
Because of his doubt, Montag falters when trying to act independently. The society in which Montag lives in teaches dependance upon the government, and though Montag considers this view immoral, he spends a good portion of the novel struggling to counteract it. Montag feels his “body divide itself” (21;pt.1) into binary sides; one hot and the other cold. Although Montag’s, self-exploration is necessary, the time spent examining himself could have been used elsewhere. For instance, he could have planned the revolt against the firemen more thoroughly. Even after uprising against the government’s control and narrowly escaping, Montag denounces his faith in himself and concludes that he has “nothing” (144;pt.3) to offer to