“It was a pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed.” (Bradbury 1). In this quote a fireman watches the flames of a fire burn books. Ray Bradbury’s futuristic novel Fahrenheit 451 tells the story of Montag, a fireman realizing the value of books and decides to give up his job to preserve the knowledge within them. A primary theme Ray Bradbury expresses is that knowledge and individuality is what makes life worth living. Several mythology allusions can be found in the book that support the theme. Beatty tells Montag, “Old Montag wanted to fly near the Sun and now that he’s burnt his damn wings, he wonders why.” (Bradbury 113) alludes to the Greek myth Icarus and is used to expresses Beatty’s disappointment with Montag for knowing too much. When Montag stole a book he became curious to read it. After Montag learns how powerful books are, Beatty tells him he
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Montag watched as "Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Bowles came through the door...he saw their Cheshire Cat smiles burning through the walls of the house..." (Bradbury 93). The two women greet Mildred at the door and give fake smiles because they are unhappy with their lives. They fill that unhappiness with their television get-together and laugh, and pretend they are having a good time. They laugh at the same programs on the television and continue mindlessly watching because they are incapable of thinking for themselves. In one event, Clarisse tells Montag, "...I don't think it's social to get a bunch of people together and then not let them talk... do you know, we never ask questions...they just run the answers at you bing, bing bing,” (Bradbury 29). She explains how school does not allow free thinking to assure that everyone is learning and thinking the same. Answers are given so there are never questions to ask. Schools are made for learning and Clarisse’s school is not allowing
Montag watched as "Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Bowles came through the door...he saw their Cheshire Cat smiles burning through the walls of the house..." (Bradbury 93). The two women greet Mildred at the door and give fake smiles because they are unhappy with their lives. They fill that unhappiness with their television get-together and laugh, and pretend they are having a good time. They laugh at the same programs on the television and continue mindlessly watching because they are incapable of thinking for themselves. In one event, Clarisse tells Montag, "...I don't think it's social to get a bunch of people together and then not let them talk... do you know, we never ask questions...they just run the answers at you bing, bing bing,” (Bradbury 29). She explains how school does not allow free thinking to assure that everyone is learning and thinking the same. Answers are given so there are never questions to ask. Schools are made for learning and Clarisse’s school is not allowing