Burning of Books Explained

  After burning the woman and her books, Montag is not feeling well at all.  He tries to talk to Mildred but she is no help.  He tries to think of when and where he met his wife, "and suddenly she was so strange he couldn't believe he knew her at all" (p. 42).  He is disturbed that neither of them are able to remember how they met.  Montag realizes that's he's been feeling "empty" and that he and his wife have drifted so far apart.  I thought this was interesting because I had been wondering why and how Montag and Mildred came to be together since the beginning of the book!  I was hoping to get an explanation, but the fact that neither of them remember says a lot as well.  We also learn in this section that Clarisse has been run over by a car and died, which is why Montag had not seen her for the past four days.  Mildred knew about this and forgot to tell Montag.  Seems like she forgets a lot of things!  Montag decides to call in sick for work since he just can't stand the thought of going in later and Mildred realizes that he was supposed to switch to the early shift that day so he's actually two hours late.  In the middle of their argument, Captain Beatty shows up at the house.

  With the book still hidden under Montag's pillow, Captain Beatty walks into Montag's room saying that he knew he was sick and wanted to check up on him.  Beatty says that every fireman reaches a breaking point where they question their job and that previously they used to explain it to new firemen, but they don't anymore, so he decides to explain it to Montag.  Beatty explains that long ago, as technology evolved, books evolved into shorter and shorter pieces -- "Classics cut to fifteen-minute radio shows, then cut again to fill a two-minute book column, winding up at last as a ten- or twelve-line dictionary resume" (p. 54).  He also speaks of the changes for the younger generations, "school is shortened, discipline relaxed, philosophies, histories, languages dropped.  English and spelling gradually neglected, finally almost completely ignored" (p. 55).  Beatty continues, explaining that with all the diversity of opinions and ideas on things, someone was always unhappy.  But if everyone was taught one idea, then everyone would be happy.  "If you don't want a man unhappy politically, don't give him two sides to a question to worry him; give him one" (p. 61).  The reasoning behind burning books makes me think of the adage "ignorance is bliss."  Books contain knowledge, and with this knowledge, people may not agree with each other, therefore be unhappy.  If these people have no knowledge in the first place, then they will always be happy.  Captain Beatty seems to think this explanation makes perfect sense, but Montag is skeptical.  To me, clearly everyone is NOT happy if there are so many people overdosing every night -- how do they explain this?

  Before Beatty leaves, he tells Montag that it's not uncommon for a fireman to want to take one of the books, seeming to hint that he knows Montag has that book under his pillow.  Montag asks what happens if a fireman were to take a book home, and Beatty says that they give the fireman 24 hours to burn the book and if they don't, then the other firemen will come burn it for him.  Once Beatty is gone, Montag decides to reveal his secret to Mildred, not only of the book under the pillow but of the secret behind the ventilator -- which turns out to be not ONE stolen book, but around 20 stolen books!  Mildred begins to panic, but Montag insists that he needs her help.  He just wants to read them all and try to make sense of them and if what Beatty says is true, he will burn them, but if he decides there is more to it, then he may try to pass them on to someone else.

REACTION AND QUESTIONS:  A lot was revealed in this section!  The theory behind the burning of the books is explained, and it went into a lot more detail than my general prediction, but it was pretty much the same idea.  If they don't educate the people, then the people will remain happy.  However, they seem to have forgotten that knowledge and opinion is not the only factor involved in happiness. I think Montag is just beginning to realize this, but I feel as if some people, like Mildred, are so far gone, there is no bringing them back.  It's kind of like they've brainwashed everyone into thinking a certain way, but for some reason, deep down, the people know they need more.  Perhaps this is why there are so many overdoses.  I was shocked to learn that Montag had stolen SEVERAL books, when this whole time I had just been picturing ONE book behind the ventilator.  I feel like Mildred is not going to cooperate and may report her own husband to the fire station.  I wonder, what will Montag feel after reading the books?  Will he understand the meaning behind them?  24 hours does not seem long enough to go through that many books, especially when you are not used to reading very often.  How will the Hound factor into all of this, since the book keeps mentioning it.  Maybe the Hound will be sent to kill Montag?  A fireman in possession of that many books will surely be frowned upon and I wouldn't put it past Beatty to kill Montag for it.