There comes once in a while in the history of one's literary experience that a book comes along so poignant in its message, so frightening in its implications, and so ironically simplistic in its word choice. One of these treasures is Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, a novel devoted to denouncing the motto, "ignorance is bliss." This novel provides a glance into a bleak world similar to the present where war is common, feelings are shunned, family is non-existent, and thought is no longer an individual's question. To facilitate Bradbury's world, books have been banned, condemned to be burned on sight along with their possessors. Who should be the policemen of this world of ignorance? The "firemen." Like the firemen in the world today, they dress alike, drive big trucks, and wail their loud sirens. However, one fundamental difference exists. Instead of extinguishing fires, firemen start them, and "cleanse the evil books of their sin." Books exist as forbidden belongings and further knowledge; if found in possession, they will be removed and destroyed by the firemen. Who should personify the heartless, unfeeling, cold-warm fireman, but Guy Montag? This man's entire background evolves around the fireman occupation, so what other job could there be for a man like him? As the novel progresses, Guy Montag changes from a man who destroys books to a man who protects them.
Montag represents the typical fireman at the commencement of the novel. He loves his job and never questions the authority to obey his given commands. "It was a pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed. It's fine work. Monday burn Millay, Wednesday Whitman, Friday Faulkner, burn "em to ashes, then burn the ashes." This, the philosophy of the typical fireman until one day, Montag meets Clarisse McClellan. Clarisse, through her innocence and oblivion to the world around her, shows Montag that society crumbles around him and that he can be a part of the solution.
Though a short story usually focuses on one main character, we know that it is almost impossible to delete all the minor characters as they also play an important role in the story. Among those functions, I would like to find out how the minor characters in "Araby" affect the boy in terms of ch...
It was a cold and dark night. She kept on running away from the evil that was lurking. She couldn't possibly know what was chasing her. Elizabeth Perkins was beginning to run out of breath. She stopped, hoping that the person, or thing, chasing her would simply vanish. Then, right before her eyes, ...
DECISION He is waiting at the railway station sitting on a half broken bench alone. Suddenly the cool breeze of November night sends shivers down his spins. He trembles a bit and looks around the station for the third time. No wonder it offers him the same scena...
Another event that contributes to Gene's rating of total jerk is when he tries to rape Nancy Williams, his date, in the back seat of the car they were driving to the dance in, while she shouted things like "Gene! ... Nobility is noticeable in this character when his brother refuses to go out and get the girls, but he comes through; "Oh, Christ" he says, "I"ll go get them, Gene. ...
"HO HO HO AND A MERRY OLD FOE" he shouted as he went into the toy making room. ... There was a lot of chattering going on in the room between the elfs and suddenly broke out into massive shouts. ... Santa said "Oh thankyou" and them said to the elf's "I'll pay you double your old wages and all the machines are now new", the elf's said "Okay we'll get on with our work straight away". ...
"Pilez you oxy-generian, not Gesel Gina, it's the chick on the left over there, in the red dress," shouted Nash. Oh yah, she's hot, I see that she talks to you often, well then, my chick is waiting over there, good luck with "Ms Nash"," stated Pilez "Ya good luck with your grot," replied Nash. ...
