Fahrenheit 451

Pages 202-206 by Andy Ni

Summary
Enemy jets appear in the sky and completely obliterate the city with bombs. Mildred's hotel gets bombed and
them Montag finally remembers when he met her. Then Montag was knocked down by the air pressure from the
explosion, debris from the ruined city hung in the air like a reversed avalanche. Montag then watch as the dust
settles, marking the end of the war, as he attempts to remember the book of Ecclesiastes and the Revelation .
Techniques

• “Live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds.” Simile page 202

• "'Stuff your eyes with wonder’” Imagery page 202
• 'I hate a Roman named Status Quo!’” Imagery page 202
• “Shake the tree and knock the great sloth down on his ass.” Symbolism page 203
• “The war began and ended in that instant.” Oxymoron page 203
• The concussion knocked the air across and down the river, turned the men over like
dominoes in a line, blew the water in lifting sprays, and blew the dust and made the trees
above them mourn with a great wind passing away south. Personification page 205
• Allusion to the book of Ecclesiastes and Revelation page 205
• “For another of those impossible instants the city stood, rebuilt and unrecognisable,
taller than it had ever hoped or strived to be, taller than man had built it, erected at last
in gouts of shattered concrete and sparkles of torn metal into a mural hung like a
reversed avalanche” symbolism page 205
Values and attitudes of Granger
In the book Fahrenheit 451, the significance of values and attitudes of the character Granger, is portrayed through the use of symbolism and imagery. Granger
emphasises the need for people to reject conformity and live with a sense of wonder, appreciating the world's marvels rather than seeking guarantees and
security. Granger's allusion to the roman empire when he states "I hate a roman called status quo" sees to criticise the concept as a whole, implying that the
roman society is stagnant and unchanging society. By alluding to the Romans, Granger emphasises his discontent with a society that resists change and
discourages critical thinking. Furthermore, the phrase "'Stuff your eyes with wonder'" demonstrates the use of vivid visual imagery. Granger encourages Montag
to fill his eyes and mind with the astonishing and awe-inspiring aspects of the world. This imagery appeals to the senses and evokes a sense of amazement and
curiosity. It suggests the idea of seeing the world with fresh eyes, perceiving its beauty and marvels, and embracing a sense of wonder and exploration. In
addition, granger tells Montag to "Live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds". The use of a vivid simile encourages the Montag to imagine living life with a sense
of urgency and intensity. The simile compares the way one should live to the immediate and imminent possibility of sudden death, creating a striking mental
image of a person realising the fleeting nature of life and being motivated to make the most of every moment. Lastly, Granger commands Montag to "Shake the
tree and knock the great sloth on his ass." The "great sloth" as a metaphorical creature that represents the complacency and passivity of people in the society
depicted in the novel. The sloth hangs upside down in a tree, symbolising a lack of engagement with the world and a refusal to take action. By using the sloth as
a symbol, Faber suggests that people should reject a life of apathy and passivity and instead actively challenge the oppressive system they live in. Knocking down
the sloth represents rebelling against complacency and taking a stand for freedom and individuality. Granger's values and attitudes offer a contrasting perspective
to the oppressive and controlled society depicted in the novel. Through his words, Granger highlights the importance of embracing wonder and living authentically.
Significance of Montag’s perception
of the city after it was bombed
In the extract, the significance of Montag's perception to the destruction of the city caused by the concussion is

constructed through the utilisation of personification, oxymoron and allusions. The passage highlights the profound

impact of destruction and chaos on Montag's understanding of his surroundings. The concussion disrupts the normal

order of things, altering Montag's perception and allowing him to briefly see the city in a new light. This is especially

demonstrated in the oxymoronic statement "The war began and ended in that instant." The contradictory combination

of "the war began" and "the war ended" within the same instant. emphasises the sudden and paradoxical nature of the

war's beginning and ending, reinforcing its brevity and immediate impact. To add to that, the concussion from the blast

was said to have "knocked the air across and down the river, turned the men over like dominoes in a line, blew the water

in lifting sprays, and blew the dust and made the trees above them mourn with a great wind passing away south." The

extensive use of personification of the concussion evokes a sense of sorrow and destruction, emphasising its profound

impact. After being hit by the blast, Montag scrambles to recall the Book of Ecclesiastes and the revelation. The Book of

Ecclesiastes reflects upon the meaning of life, the fleeting nature of existence, and the pursuit of wisdom and fulfillment.

Revelation, on the other hand, is a prophetic book filled with vivid and symbolic imagery, focusing on apocalyptic themes,

the end times, and divine judgment. Hence this allusion can be seen as Montag's Epiphany, marking the beginning of his

awakening and his desire to explore the world and seek knowledge outside the confines of his previous existence. The

passage serves as a pivotal moment that propels Montag on a journey of self-discovery and rebellion against the

conformity enforced by his dystopian society. It suggests that sometimes, it takes a drastic change or upheaval to make

people truly see and question their surroundings.

Dominant reading
The dominant audience could respond to this section of the text with a dominant
reading that focuses on the theme of the destructive nature of war and its impact on
individuals and society. They may perceive the vivid descriptions of the bombs and
the devastation they cause as a commentary on the horrors of war and the tragic
consequences it brings. The audience may sympathise with Montag's desperate
attempts to save his loved ones and feel a sense of empathy towards the characters
who are caught in the midst of the destruction. This reading could highlight the
message of the importance of peace, the futility of violence, and the need for
humanity to strive for a world free from war and destruction.
Resistant or alternate
Reading
Another audience could offer a resistant or alternate reading of the text, interpreting it
in a different light. They may focus more on the personal and psychological aspects of
the narrative. This audience may see Montag's internal struggle and his desperate
attempts to warn and save Mildred as a representation of the human capacity for
empathy and connection. They may view Montag's awakening and his desire to "see
everything now" as a metaphor for personal growth, self-discovery, and a quest for
meaning. This reading could highlight the resilience of the human spirit and the
transformative power of individual actions, even in the face of overwhelming
challenges.