Independent+Novel+Study

December 3rd- First Novel Study Essay PG#- 34 Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury The book "Fahrenheit 451" is set in a grim, futuristic North America, where owning, and reading books are illegal. The feeling I get from this book is very similar to the feeling I get when I read "1984" by George Orwell. The setting seems very organized and surreal. The people who inhabit this world almost seem brainwashed, with very shallow lives and past times. In my opinion, the people have all conformed to "one type of person", with one general, pale, hollow look, and a brainwashed personality, that seeks immediate pleasure at all times. All of these atributes make me question my current past times and enjoyments, and if I'm actually doing something productive with my spare time, or if I'm actually just like the inhabitants of this dystopian world. Guy Montag (the main character) is a firefighter, but instead of stopping fires, it is his job to set fire to the houses of people who illegally own books. Montag's uniform is emblazoned with the numbers "451", to represent the burning temperature of paper. The inhabitants of this surreal (and in my mind, dystopian) world only engage in activities that provide instant satisfaction. For example, the wife of Guy Montag is constantly nagging her husband to buy an extravagant TV that will cover all four walls of their TV room, and is constantly spending her spare time driving at ridiculous speeds along the highway. The reader is told in the first sentence of the book that Guy Montag enjoys burning books. It's a pleasurable, satisfying and joyful activity for him. This doesn't remain the case for long though, because as Montag is returning home from his first mission of the story, he meets his new next-door neighbor, Clarisse McClellan, who immediately asks Montag many thought provoking questions about his profession. Montag begins to question his role as a book burner, when Clarisse demands to know why books must be burnt, and states that "a long time ago", the role of firefighters was to extinguish fire, not ignite them. Although on the outside, Montag frivolously denies Clarisse's statements and brushes off her questions, they remain in his mind throughout the rest of the story. The climax of this section occurs when Montag is performing his most recent task, and out of curiosity, steals a book from a house he is burning. But this is not the only thought provoking and rebelling part, because the woman who was living in the house refuses to leave after her books had been soaked in kerosene, and personally lights her house on fire, making no effort to save herself. This incident begins to shape the rest of the story. I actually had chosen another book for this independent novel study, but was forced last night to change books by my parents. I was slightly familiar with this story, and therefore was looking forward to reading this book. I enjoy dystopian futuristic books very much, because they are very thought provoking. Books like "Fahrenheit 451" make me question what our world will be like 100 years from today, and if our civilization will change to become like the characters of this very insightful book. 10/10

Journal Entry #2 pg. 34- 67Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury Questions: Who is telling the story? How does this person’s perspective effect the way the story is told? How does the author get you to read on or hold your interest? What new things are added to the original problem as the novel progresses? During this section of Fahrenheit 451, the metamorphosis of Guy Montag is more apparent. After his last mission, he begins to question the authority and real purpose of firefighters, and whether they are doing the right thing. Since the narrator is omniscient, the reader is able to feel Montag's building emotions towards his fellow firefighters, and his profession. After he stole a book at the house of his last mission, the strage disappearance of Clarisse McClellan becomes very apparent. In my opinion, Guy begins to notice her disappearance more than anything because she had become the metaphorical fire, that had burnt down all of the walls his society had built to hide the truth about books and intelligence. Instead of conforming to the typical teenage trains of thought, Clarisse was a thinker, who wasn't afraid to ask questions. Because of Clarisse, Guy began to question his profession to an extent that he stole a book, to see what he was missing, even though he knew very well that the consequences were severe, and potentially fatal. 

A new problem is added to this already expanding problem when Montag's co-worker Beatty visits Montag after their last mission. In my opinion, the character of Beatty is a character that is often present in futuristic novels. He is a character who knows EVERYTHING that is going on in their world. Beatty is very aware of the reasons why books are burnt, and why the roles of firefighter was changed from putting out fires, to starting them. He knows all about all of the lies that are hidden from civilians, and all of the coverups given by the government to keep civilians under control. Beatty tells Montag and the readers about how intelligence became looked upon with scorn and tries to convince Montag why firefighters are doing the right thing. It becomes apparent that Beatty knows Montag stole a book, but he mentions it very subtly, and ominously. He mentions nonchalantly that firefighters usually take a book during one point in their life, just out of curiosity. He then tells Montag that the authorities usually give that firefighter 24 hours to burn the book, or their fellow firefighters will come burn it for them. 

Before Beatty leaves, Montag asks him what happened to Clarisse McClellan. Beatty tells Montag that Clarisse was a pest, and the authorities did the right thing to dispose of her. This part of the book stands out for me, because it shows how intelligence, and questioning thoughts are looked at with disgust and fear by the authorities. As I stated before, people are only allowed to perform tasks that provide instant gratification, therefore Clarisse's questioning mind was becoming a fearful "pest" in the eyes of their current country.

10/10

Third Journal Entry

What plot twists or unexpected events happen as the novel goes on? To what age group is the novel aimed? Support your answer with evidence. Is the language in the novel difficult or easy? GIve examples and explain.

pg 71-110

Throughout this next section in the book, Montag becomes more and more rebellious. He begins becoming more and more suspicious about his true role as a firefighter. He begins to read daily, and criticizes his society more and more. Montag and his wife, Mildred, spend days reading, and during this time, Montag begins to miss Clarisse more and more. In my opinion, she was a true eye-opener for Montag because she had a completely different perspective on life. Montag soon realizes that he owns the one and only copy of the bible, and meets with an old friend to create new copies of it. His friend's name is Faber, and although he doesn't support the laws against books, he doesn't want to get in trouble with Montag. After much convincing, he finally agrees to help him. When Montag returns to his house after meeting with Faber, he sees hat his wife has met with many of her fellow ditzy friends for a party. Montag quickly gets tired of their petty ignorance, and selfishness, and in a unpredicted fury of frustration, he begins to read old poetry to them. An unexpected plot twist occurs when Montag later goes into work, still in a daze from his week. He heads out onto his next, supposedly normal book-burning job, when the firetruck pulls up at Montag's house. When I first started reading this book, I assumed it was aimed towards adults. Now that I've read more of the book and thought about it in depth, I think this book is more directed towards teens, to show them what a world without books and freedom of thought and ideas would be like. So far, the language in this book has been very easy to follow, because although some things are not explained when they first appear, they are always explained, and referenced very well in the next few pages, after the first reference. For example, when Montag's job as a fireman was presented in beginning of the book, I assumed he was a modern-day firefighter. His actual job was soon clarified a couple pages into the first chapter.

Fourth Journal Entry pg:111-140

Comment on the style of the novel. Is it easy or hard to follow the events? Is there a message or main theme emerging in the book? How is it shown? Is the novel believable?

After the firetruck pulls up at Montag's house, the last section of this book commences. Mildred comes running out of the house to get a taxi, and it becomes apparent that it was her who pulled the alarm on Montag's book owning. She saw where he had hid all of his books, and left them out for the firefighters to burn. Montag, still dry with disbelief, can't believe the fact that someone ratted him out. Beatty, with an air of satisfaction tells Montag that since he betrayed his society by owning books, it was his responsibility, and punishment to burn his house down. Beatty says: "I want you to do this job all by your lonesome, Montag. Not with kerosene and a match, but piece-work, with a flame thrower. Your house, your clean up". Faber (who has been in Montag's house since Mildred's get-together with her dillusional friends) is out of sight to Beatty, but in hearing range for Montag. He desperately tries to get Montag to run away before it's too late, but Montag soon realizes that a mechanical hound (a hound, with fangs filled with anesthetic, used by their society to catch outlaws) is on his trail, and if he tries to run away, he won't get far. He begins to burn down his house, until all that remains are ashes. Then, it comes to his realization that he has the flamethrower in his hand, and could easily kill Beatty, and the rest of the firemen. Montag challenges Beatty, who doesn't resist, as Montag burns him to a crisp with the flamethrower. He then does the same to the rest of the firemen. This part stands out to me, because the author makes a point of emphasizing the fact that Beatty didn't resist Montag's flame thrower, which means that Beatty also saw how horrible, and mechanical this futuristic society was. Then suddenly, the mechanical hound finds Montag and before Montag can burn it to ashes, it injects some anesthetic into Montag's leg. Montag leaves the scene on foot, stumbling, desperate, and outlawed. This part of the book's style is confusing and very emotional. In many of the scenes, Montag was forced to make decisions that compromised his morals greatly to save his life, and to maintain his beliefs. For example, when he kills Beatty and his fellow co-workers, he feels horrible about himself after, but he did to save himself, and to spread the fact that books are wonderful and shouldn't be outlawed. In my opinion, the message in this book is looking at both sides of a story. Although something may be done for a supposedly beneficial reason (banning books, for example), you must look at the pros and cons before making a decision to support that law. This theme is also represented at the party Mildred had with her friends, when her friends state that they'll never have kids because they're told it will make them fat. They were not looking at the pros and cons, just the cons, of having children. This novel isn't believable in my opinion. I think that a situation like this would never be supported by civilians, because we already know so much about how objects like books can help us in life.

Final Journal Entry Page: 142- End Questions: Why would you (or why wouldn't you) recommend this novel to a friend? Why did (or didn't) the novel meet your expectations? What is the climax of the novel?

As Montag is on the run, he is able to see that the authorities have sent a new mechanical hound after him through the TV's of the houses he passes. He sees that the authorities are telling the people on the count of ten to turn on their lights and look outside to see if they can see Montag. Montag barely makes it out of the house's sight and begins walking through a stream so the mechanical hound cannot track him. As he walks along the river, he gets the feeling that Clarisse came here before she died, and that thought remains with during his torturous, long journey away from the surreal city, until he comes along a group of homeless outlaws who welcome him immediately, and give him a chemical to halt the mechanical hound's ability to track him. Montag finds out that these men are a group of intellectuals who, because of their disgust over the ban of books, left the city until their civilization is ready for books again. They own a small portable TV and were able to see Montag's situation, which is why they know so much about him. As they are talking, they are able to see a bomb being dropped on their former city. In my opinion, this is the climax of the book because it shows how in that fictional society, not following the rules was so serious, that one person thinking for himself could result in the destruction of a whole city. After multiple bombs, the city is vaporized, and all Montag can think about is Mildred dying from that bomb. He finally remembers all the facts about their relationship that he forgot throughout the book, like where they met, and what her smile looks like. As he watches the city fall to ashes, he remebers he still has one book with him: The Book of Ecclesiastes. This final realization gives Montag and the group of men that there will someday be people who appreciate books, and someday, intelligence won't be looked down upon. I loved this book quite a bit! It definitely met my expectations fully, and had a powerful, and emotional ending. The conclusion that was come to at the end was expected, but was worded fantastically. I would definitely recommend this book to all of my friends, because it causes people to think in a different way, and to look at all sides of a situation. I loved this book, and will definitely read it again!

#3-- YOUR REACTION  Write a one page reaction to the novel. In your explanation answer several, but not necessarily all, of the following questions: What do you think the theme of the novel was? Do you think that the author was successful in getting the message across? Why? For whom was the book written? What are the Good and bad points about your novel and why? Did the novel help you in any way? Did you learn anything from the novel? What did you find most interesting? What did you find most bizarre? What was most believable or unbelievable? Would your recommend this book to any one? Why or why not? Will you will read any more by this author?

Fahrenheit 451 sparked many emotions from me. It was certainly an intense, and controversial book to read, and my reaction varied immensely throughout the whole book. My opinion of the actual theme of this book varied throughout the book. In the beginning, I thought the theme was following the rules, and not thinking to yourself, because literally everyone in this society never questioned the rules and regulations of their city, and ate up all of the sappy reasons they were given for the reason of banning books. By the end of the book, I thought the theme was independence, and influence, because Montag became so influenced by Clarisse McClellan's independence, and questioning personality, that he ended up risking his life for his new-found beliefs. Although I'm not sure what the message the author was trying to get across was, I think Ray Bradbury painted an amazing, and awe-inspiring picture of life without books. From reading this book, I learned that although we think we can imagine a life without certain things, sometimes things aren't black and white. You aren't able to see the consequences of an action without looking at the bigger picture, and you aren't able to make a decision between two things until you've experienced both experiences. I found the fact that all of the inhabitants in this story only perform activities that provide instant gratification, and do certain things solely for the purpose of having something to do. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends, but I don't plan on reading any more books by Ray Bradbury. This dystopian novel left me wanting to read more novels like this, and I plan to in the future!