Baptism by Whisky

He touched it, just to be sure it was real. He waded in and stripped in darkness to the skin, splashing his body, arms, legs, and head with raw liquor; drank it and snuffed some up his nose. Then he dressed in Faber's old clothes and shoes. He tossed his own clothing into the river and watched it swept away. Then, holding the suitcase, he walked out in the river until there was no bottom and he was swept away in the dark. Pg 139 of Fahrenheit 451

This excerpt is DEEP with emotion and connections. While reading this excerpt shivers ran down my spine. In this excerpt, the reader experiences Montag's new sense if freedom. Montag has evaded the authorities and the Hound. When Montag drenches himself in liquor it is a symbolic baptism into a new life. Once he has drenched himself in alcohol the hound will not be able to trace Montag any longer. When Montag tosses his old clothing into the river it is symbolic of him escaping his old life of ignorance and dullness for a new life of new knowledge and experiences. This passage symbolizes a door being opened, not just by the Montag but by the reader as well. The action in this passage foreshadows a new exciting part of the book.

Bob Laing