Fahrenheit 451 Diction Question
"...'do you know why books such as this are so important? Because they have quality. And what does the word quality mean? To me it means texture. This book has pores. it has features. This book can go under the microscope. You'd find life under the glass, streaming past in infinite profusion...'"' (pg. 79)
How does the use of the words pores, features, and life to describe a book effect the way that Montag views the values of books and show that his values and thoughts about books have changed?
How does the use of the words pores, features, and life to describe a book effect the way that Montag views the values of books and show that his values and thoughts about books have changed?
Hey Andrea, great question!
ReplyDeleteI personally think the author chose to use the words pores, features, and life to describe the effect books had on Montag because Ray Bradbury wanted to explain the significance of books in our world. He is basically treating the book as if it is a human being that has life. There are several parts in the text that the author includes, to glorify books. “The woman on the porch reached out with contempt to them all and struck the kitchen match against the railing” (Bradbury 40). This describes a scene where a lady decides to burn herself along with her books. This symbolizes the importance of books, and it was also another spark to Montag’s curiosity towards novels.
I believe Montag’s views and values towards books have significantly increased but deep down inside, he has always wanted to know the importance of books. “He kept moving his hand and dropping books…he looked down upon some twenty books lying at his wife’s feet” (Bradbury 65). As you may know, twenty books is a lot, compared to any other households in this novel. Montag’s actions show that he has been collecting books for a while, which then we can come to a conclusion that he has been curious for quite a while. I believe the author decided to choose the choice of dictions he used to relate the importance of books for gaining knowledge.
It seems like the author constantly describes the importance of books throughout the novel. What do you think was the overall message the author wanted to give to the readers?
This quote was really interesting and vividly. In my opinion, i think the author used symbolism here to compare “pores” to the reality of the world because at the next paragraph, Montag told Fiber that, “They show the pores in the face of life” (Bradbury 79). Montag convinced that there were a lot of pores in the real life, but people were blind to see them because they want “wax moon faces, poreless, hairless, expressionless” (Bradbury 79). According to the words “features” and “life”, we can see Montag’s view of books. He thought book was alive and considered it as the most important evidence to explore the reality to people. That is why later on Montag was on his way to find more book holders. Significantly, there is a big turn of Montag’s attitude. In the previous, when Clarisse asked Montag if he was really happy, the first reaction of Montag was “of course I’m happy” (Bradbury 8) because he didn’t want to face the reality and he wanted the “wax moon faces”. Comparing to now, Montag believed that people would get their real happiness only when they realize the “pores” (reality), and those pores can be only found in the books.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Abby, that the author used symbolism to compare these words. The reason is because the author was using the words of Faber here to display the figurative meaning of books. In this particular section of the book, Faber used a lot of analogies to explain why books were so important. In one quote he said that “this book can go under the microscope. You’d find life under the glass, streaming past in infinite profusion. The more pores, the more truthfully recorded details of life per square inch you can get on a sheet of paper, the ‘literary’ you are.”(Bradbury 83). Here, he was basically explaining how essential the tiniest details were in a book and how the more tiny details one has, the more alive it becomes. Throughout that section Faber continued to explain how alive books were and after a while you can tell that Montag was becoming a little skeptical because he made a comment saying, “‘my wife says books aren’t real’ “(Bradbury 84). However, the more he listened the more his views did begin to change, and eventually he was the one who began to push for them to do something about the situation. He urged Faber by saying, “‘where do we go from here? Would books help us?’”(Bradbury 84). All in all, the words Faber used (pores, features, and life) helped Montag to realize how critical the situation was, and gave him the boldness to be able to figure out what he could do about it. To answer Anne’s question I think that the overall message went far beyond just books, I think that the message was to stand up for what one believed in no matter the cost. Throughout the book Montag stood for what he believed in when it came to books even though he had to go through excruciating pain because of it. With that said, do you think this book has any relevance to our society today?
ReplyDeleteAnne-
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Ray Bradbury was trying to show the significance of books by explaining and describing them as you would a human. The author is portraying Faber as a person who can see the real value of books and how rich they are with life and information. I think the overall message that the author wanted to send to the readers was that you should pay attention to the small details because they are the most important; whether they are in books or in your own life.
Abby-
I really liked the quote you used “wax moon faces, pore less, hairless, expressionless” (Bradbury 79). I think it goes perfectly with this topic because it really shows the values and priorities of the people who live in Montag’s society. They are concerned with looking perfect, being perfect, and not having texture. I think that if this is how the people act and this is what they are looking for, they will want everything they own and use to have the same qualities. Books are not expressionless and perfect. They have character and deeper meaning that just the words on the page. The people in this society just can’t see that.
Miracle-
I really liked what you said about the more details there are in a book, the more alive it becomes. I think this applies not only to books but to the people who are living in this society that Montag lives in. Like the quote that Abby used, they all want “wax moon faces, pore less, hairless, expressionless” (Bradbury 79). They don’t like detail and expression, they like perfect and precise; but books aren’t like that.
I also agree with you about your answer to Anne’s question. I think that Bradbury was trying to imply that if you really believe in something you should stand up for it not let the norm or the beliefs of other people pressure you into not stepping out the comfort zone.
In response to your question, I think that this book can apply to our lives today by showing and reminding us to not look past the small details of things because they are the most important. I also think that he was trying to show us that books really are important and we shouldn’t try to live without them because they have so much to offer to us today. Without books, our world would be “pore less” and “expressionless” (Bradbury 79).