Fahrenheit 451 - Plot
Fahrenheit 451 is a book that most indefinitely leaves lasting impressions on the reader ranging from giving a feeling of oppression to giving the reader a sense of hope.
It describes Guy Montag's change from someone who has no care in the world for books to someone who will eventually love and cherish them, taking into consideration that in the dystopian future set in Fahrenheit 451, reading is outlawed.
Ray Bradbury made sure to add plenty of plot points that impact the development of the theme and central idea.
Why do you think Bradbury chose to place all these important events that occurred in the book where they're at? (For instance, the scene of bombing at the end of the book).
Do you think some plot points should have been changed, if they could, and if so, why?
And if at all, did those plot points contribute to the theme or central idea of the story?
For the important events, I divide them into three parts. First part was the appearance of Clarisse; she was the first one who brought a thought to Montag. The second part described that Montag was accused and chased by police. Last part would be the bombing of the war. I think the sudden disappear of Clarisse really caught my attention and left a suspense, but when I knew Clarisse was dead, it made me so disappoint. Clarisse was playing an important role in Montag’s life because she led him to consider the real happiness. I think the author should add more conflicts or plot about Clarisse. When Montag knew Clarisse was dead, his reaction was that, “Montag still sat, as if the house was collapsing about him and he could not move, in the bed” (Bradbury 59). Montag couldn’t believe this actually happen, however, he was also thinking about what Clarisse had said to him, “My uncle says… and … my uncle …. And … my uncle…” (Bradbury 60). Nevertheless, I think the death of Clarisse doesn’t mean she completely die, but she still exists in Montag’s head and she still affects the way of Montag’s thought. According to those points, I think the author added the scene of Clarisse’s death on purpose, and he used this event to establish the character of Montag which made the plot more suspense and conflicting.
ReplyDeleteBradbury certain did a thing or two with the plot points that were laid out in the book. I believe he mostly placed all of these important plot points, such as the death of Clarisse, the firebombing of the city, etc., but most of these have been revolving around the main character, Guy Montag. Many of these events left lasting impressions on him and helped him develop over the course of the text. Many of these plot points, I feel, could have changed to make the reading experience a bit better, but looking back upon it, especially the leading up to the firebombing of the city, wouldn’t have made much sense if not explained well, especially if it was at the beginning/middle of the book. Many of these events should stay the way that they are, because that’s what the author wanted to show as being development for Montag. For instance, “… Clarisse was gone. He didn’t know what there was about the afternoon, but it was not seeing her somewhere in the world…” (Bradbury 32). That continues onto this: “”…Clarisse McClellan? We’ve had a record on her family… Uncle had a mixed record; antisocial. The girl? She was a time bomb… The poor girl’s better off dead.” “Yes, dead.”” (Bradbury 60). These plot points also helped contribute to the theme of the story, such as Mildred betraying Montag, giving a theme of Betrayal, to the theme of Helplessness, as Montag cannot do anything but watch the city be burned at the end.
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