Knowledge Within

  Montag walks along the railway until he sees a fire in the distance.  This fire is different than any he's ever seen, because it was being used for warmth instead of for burning.  "He hadn't known fire could look this way.  He had never thought in his life that it could give as well as take" p. 146.  The people around the fire call him to come out, and the leader of the group, Granger tell Montag to drink a fluid that will change his chemical index so that it will throw the Hound off his scent.  He finds that they already know his name since they have been watching the live feed on a portable TV.  They all watch as the TV shows the Hound heading back into the city, which confuses Montag.  Granger explains to him that they lost him in the river and they don't want to admit it so they are going to fake his death.  Sure enough, moments later, the Hound closes in on "Montag" who is really just an innocent man talking a walk, and the TV announces that the chase is over and Montag is dead.  

  Granger introduces everyone to Montag.  When Montag says that he doesn't belong, because he's "been an idiot all the way" (p.150), Granger assures him that they have all made mistakes that led them to where they are, hiding along the railways.  Montag tells Granger that he has part of the Book of Ecclesiastes and a little of Revelation memorized in his head.  Granger tells him that this is perfect because this is the very way that they have learned to carry on the knowledge of books.  Each person memorizes a book, then burns it.  That way, if anyone every stops them, they have nothing to incriminate them, but the knowledge is still there in their mind.  They can pass on the knowledge to future generations and it will never get lost.  They realize that "a lot will be lost that way, of course.  But you can't make people listen.  They have to come 'round in their own time" (p. 153).  The plan is that one day, maybe when the war is over, or whenever people begin coming around, they can call in all the people who have memorized the books and put into print whatever can be remembered.  Granger says that the cycle may even continue after that to where the day comes when books are being burned again, "but that's the wonderful thing about man; he never gets so discouraged or disgusted that he gives up doing it all over again, because he knows very well it is important and worth the doing" (p. 153).  

Reaction & Questions:

  I'm not surprised that the government tried to cover up the fact that they lost Montag, but I did not realize they would go so far as to kill an innocent man just to prove it to the public.  I think this idea of keeping the books memorized could work, although, I imagine that it would be difficult to memorize a whole book!  I don't think that I would be able to.  Although, I do see that it would make sense to do it this way, so that they don't have to be so paranoid about hiding the books when they are in public, or stopped by authorities.  How will the book end?  Maybe it will flash forward several years and Montag will get to see the world coming around?  Or maybe it will just end with him waiting, memorizing new books?  Perhaps it will end with Montag meeting up with Faber as they talked about earlier in the book.