Faith In Fahrenheit 451

Words: 634
Pages: 3

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Faith is taking the first step, even when you can’t see the whole staircase.” For Guy Montag in Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, this was an element of his later life. Throughout the latter part of his life and career as a book-burning fireman, Montag began to question his society. To do this, he had to take uncertain steps that could lead to grave danger. In Fahrenheit 451, Montag meets three main milestones: realizing that he is not happy, saving a Bible from a fire, and joining the runaway readers at their camp. Montag’s first milestone was met when he realized that he was not happy. This occurs when he meets a girl named Clarisse McLellan, who asks him whether or not he is happy. As stated in the text, “...she seemed to remember something and came back to look at him with wonder and curiosity. ‘Are you happy?’ she said.” Clarisse’s query strikes deeply into Montag, and he dwells on the question for …show more content…
This happens because of when he met a retired professor named Faber in a park. Montag remembers, “‘I don’t talk things, sir,’ said Faber. ‘I talk the meaning of things’...’I’m not angry.’ Montag said, surprised.” This sparks a realization in Montag that books might actually be a good thing since Faber, a book reader himself, is such a nice, caring person. This begins to lead Montag down an uncertain path that culminates with him saving a Bible from a fire. The text states, “Montag’s hand closed like a mouth, crushed the book with wild devotion, with an insanity of mindlessness to his chest.” Montag, saving the Bible from the kerosene and flames, takes another uncertain step up the unknown staircase. He, actually taking the book, fully immerses himself in the “criminal” ways of book-readers. Montag’s second milestone endangers himself, and he is eventually forced to escape in Part