Blog #3: Pages 67-106

summary:

Montag begins to read his books, but finds that its difficult to understand the words and phrases. Momentarily stumped, he remembers an old man he met in a park last year. His name was Faber, he was very kind and made several hints to owning and reading books. Quickly, Montag digs up the mans address and contact information, and he goes to his house. Faber is terrified that Montag has come to burn down his home, but Montag shows him a book hiding in his jacket, and gains Faber’s trust. Faber agrees to help him read the books, but the conversation continues and the two decide to stop the firefighters completely by trying to plant books in their homes then calling an alarm on them. However, first Montag must return to the firehouse to give Captain Beatty a book so he is no longer suspicious. Faber give Montag a small earpiece, which will allow them to communicate constantly. Montag returns home to greet his wife and avoid suspicious actions, but he becomes very upset when his wife’s friends come over because they are so dull and lifeless. He gets very angry and reads the women a poem from a book, blowing his cover. Frustrated, he goes to the firehouse and gives a book to the Captain, then stays long enough for a game of poker. While they are playing, the alarm sounds and they all rush off. However, the house that they must burn is Montag’s, and he learns that his wife sounded the alarm.

text-to-text connection:

The Giver and Fahrenheit 451 are similar because both involve a male lead that turns to an older, wiser man for assistance. In both books, the old helper gives the lead something, like a weapon, that will help in their final mission. Faber gives Montag books, and The Receiver gives Jonas memories. However, while in The Giver, The Receiver asks a father figure to Jonas, while Faber fills the role of friend or mentor in Fahrenheit 451. In both books, the lead character is betrayed by a close friend or family member. Jonas discovers that his father, whose job is to take care of children, is also the one who must kill children when they are not strong enough. This truth changes his life. Montag is betrayed by his wife, who reports him to the firehouse for collecting books, as a result he loses his house and his world changes. Both Jonas’s father and Montag’s wife believe they are doing the right thing by harming others, their actions are in favor of the government and the current system.

text-to-reader connection:

While I have never had my house burnt down as a result of a distrustful friend, I have been betrayed and I understand how Montag feels. The original shock and disbelief that he must of felt when he discovered that his wife turned him in was the worst feeling, and what was left after was a feeling of hollowness and loneliness, a feeling that leaves you wondering if you will ever trust again. The connection that Montag has with Faber is one grown from the seed of a common interest. These are the quickest friendships to develop, but the quickest to burn out. For Montag, it was a relief to find a friend in all of the darkness, a similar feeling to being the new kid that finally finds a friend.