During World War II, when Nazi soldiers occupied several European countries, the German Student Union ceremonially burned books that went against the ideals of Nazism. Heinrich Heine, a German Jewish poet at that time, said, “Where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people.” The society in Ray Bradbury’s, Fahrenheit 451, has firemen that burn the houses of those that possess books. The protagonist, Guy Montag, is a fireman that is offered the chance to reflect on his life and make a difference. His perception of fire and his profession mirrors his personal development of going from a man created by society to a man that helps recreate society.
In the beginning of the novel, Montag believes everything society has taught him and is proud of his job. Being a fireman, he gladly goes around burning the homes of anyone that possessed books. While Montag burns …show more content…
While Montag is away, the war destroys everything he left behind. The group of misfits, including Montag, decide to go back and “build a mirror factory first and put out nothing but mirrors for the next year and take a long look in them,” (Bradbury 157). Montag knows the effect of reflecting on life because his life was changed after his own reflection. He wants to return to his society believing not in society’s teaching but instead teaching society to look back at itself and feel the need to change. Montag is no longer a fireman, but also not officially a part of the group of men until Granger asks, “You want to join us, Montag?” (Bradbury 144). Montag answers, “Yes” (Bradbury 144). At this point, Montag decides to leave the firemen and take his new job as a man that memorizes books and guides people to realize what society has done to them. Once Montag decides what is morally right and wrong for him he leaves the city only to return as a new man ready to reconstruct his broken
In the beginning of the novel, Montag believes everything society has taught him and is proud of his job. Being a fireman, he gladly goes around burning the homes of anyone that possessed books. While Montag burns …show more content…
While Montag is away, the war destroys everything he left behind. The group of misfits, including Montag, decide to go back and “build a mirror factory first and put out nothing but mirrors for the next year and take a long look in them,” (Bradbury 157). Montag knows the effect of reflecting on life because his life was changed after his own reflection. He wants to return to his society believing not in society’s teaching but instead teaching society to look back at itself and feel the need to change. Montag is no longer a fireman, but also not officially a part of the group of men until Granger asks, “You want to join us, Montag?” (Bradbury 144). Montag answers, “Yes” (Bradbury 144). At this point, Montag decides to leave the firemen and take his new job as a man that memorizes books and guides people to realize what society has done to them. Once Montag decides what is morally right and wrong for him he leaves the city only to return as a new man ready to reconstruct his broken