Ever since Montag saved his Bible, the story has shown a great deal of religious imagery and makes references to scripture. I personally think that the way the scripture that is used and how it relates to the story is genius. We get our first glipse of this when Montag reads the Bible on the subway and is trying very hard to comprehend its meaning. The passage he is reading comes from The book of Matthew, chapter 6, verses 28-34.
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
This passage is especially important because it is quoted during the Montag's transitional period. It is also ironic that Montag should be reading this passage about not worrying about materialistic wants and needs, because at the same time on the subway an advertisement for a product is keeping Montag from absorbing the words that he is trying to read. It's almost like the words are at war with each other.
Another significant bit of biblical imagery is at the end of the book when Montag watches as the city is destroyed. Bradbury uses language and imagery from the Bible to resolve the novel. In the last pages, as Montag and Granger’s group walk upriver to find survivors after the bombing of the city, Montag tries to remember appropriate passages from the Bible. He brings to mind Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To everything there is a season,” and also Revelations 22:2, “And on either side of the river was there a tree of life . . . and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations,” which he decides to save for when they reach the city. The verse from Revelations also speaks of the holy city of God, and the last line of the book, “When we reach the city,” implies a strong symbolic connection between the war in Montag’s world and the Apocalypse of the Bible.
I'm sure that there are more biblical parallels in Fahrenheit 451, however I felt that these were the most important.
(P.S. sorry I didn't sign it ^_^)
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ReplyDeleteGwen, I completely agree. Especially at the end of the book, there are many parallels between Fahrenheit 451 and the bible.
ReplyDeleteWhen you said that "the words are at war with each other", I think (but obviously I've never spoken to Ray bradbury personally, so this is purely opinion) that's exactly what was intended by the ad playing. In Montag's life prior to Clarisse, he was very materialistic - as is everyone, it would seem. Mildred would rather get involved with her TV family, than talk to her husband (before she leaves). I also think Mildred is meant to portray the average citizen in this time period, so it's not JUST Mildred that is escaping reality with the use of their extensive technology, it's everyone. Just as she used her seashell earphones to tune out things (Montag) at night, everyone else uses useless, expensive items to make themselves happy, thus 'tuning out' that inner voice saying they're unhappy.
By Montag's thoughts going from the bible verse, to the ad playing in his ear, I think it's showing the fundamental change in Montag.
-Courtney Neuenschwander. (:
My bible study group assigned these themes in Isiah, Luke, and John, for the coming week, and immediately I thought of F451 and Psalm 145[144] which all tie in nicely. I don't really know scripture numbers, so this was helpful in finding the sections included in F451. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts are really enlightening. I am wondering the relationship between the Bible and Montag, and your essay provokes my deeper thinking. Thanks!!!<
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