Summary of The Novel Fahrenheit 451

Ray Bradbury's 1953 novel, Fahrenheit 451, is a dystopian based novel presenting an American society where books are banned and burnt at the temperature at which paper catches fire, fahrenheit 451.

Guy Montag is a so-called ‘fireman’ who is employed to destroy the belongings of those who read prohibited books. Montag is married however has no children. One autumn night he returns home to meet his new neighbour, Clarrise McClellan, whose free thinking ideas and revolutionary spirit lead him to question his life and presumed happiness. Montag enters his home to find his wife, Mildred, has overdosed on sleeping medication. He calls for medical assistance however they have to leave his side early to assist another overdosed victim. Reading this part of the book made me think about my family’s own personal experience with an overdose and the initial shock of accepting the situation. Montag goes outside and unknowing to Clarisse overhears her and her family talking about how life is hedonistic is the society they live in. Montag is overwhelmed with the provocative thoughts of Clarisse's discussion with her family and the recollection of his wife’s near death experience. Clarrise meets Montag each night as he walks home from work and explains how her wishes make her an outcast and how her acts and emotions force her to be in therapy. I feel as if I can personally relate strongly and as if many young people in this day and age would also be able to relate, there are such a large number of people in therapy today, due to society making it difficult for individuals to be unique and have their own views and outlook on life. Montag begins to find peace during his meetings with Clarrise, however just as they become regular Clarrise is announced missing and Guy's senses bring him to believe something is wrong.

In the days that follow, Montag and his coworkers plunder through a women’s house, filled with prohibited items, books, before the burning. The woman refuses to leave her house and her prohibited books, and instead preferring to light a match and burn herself alive. I think this particular passage speaks strongly about people’s strong opinions about the things they love and feel as if they cannot live without, such as religion and faith in this day and age. Many people then and now would die for their religion which relates to how this particular woman felt as if she could not live without her books . Montag returns home after the women’s suicide and wakes Mildred only for her to reveal that Clarrise was struck by a speeding car and killed causing her family to move away.

Montag suggests that maybe his time as a firefighter has come to end, however to his dismay he is visited by the Chief fire officer, Captain Betty, who reminds Montag of the little value and knowledge books bring. As new technology evolved books were disregarded and outdated and coincidentally at the same time, buildings began to be built with fireproof materials which removed the traditional role of a firefighters job and introducing the new role of putting out fires purely for the peace of mind for having some responsibility. After the Captain's unannounced visit, Montag reveals to Mildred that he has accumulated a stash of books from attending his jobs to which Mildred panics and fears for her own safety. Montag suggests that they should read the books to see if they have any true value and if they don’t they would burn them and return to their normal life.

Montag recalls an elderly man, Faber, an English professor before the prohibition of books whom he met in a park. Montag makes a special trip to Faber's home along with the book he stole from the women’s house, a copy of the Bible. After Montag arrived, he urges the fearful and reluctant Faber to support him by tearing pages from the Bible. Montag returns home and tries to engage with Mildred and her friends but finds their conversations ignorant and leaves the room only to come back with a book, although he knew the harm it may do. Montag proceeds to recite a poem however this causes one of Mildred friends immense distress and causes Mildred to attempt to kill herself once again. Montag burns the book. Montag turns to the fire department as a place of serenity only to find the Captain there, Beatty explains to Montag that he was once an avid reader before the ban was put in place, however the alarm rings and Montag and Beatty race to their destination, Montag's house. Beatty reveals that Mildred had reported Montag days earlier after the incident at their house to which Beatty orders Montag to burn his own house down, Montag follows through with orders, however killing Beatty and his crew with him.

Montag rushes toward Faber's house to which Faber instructs him to head towards the drifters, exiled book lovers. The drifters are intellectuals that all memorised a book should the day come that society is forced to rebuild itself. Montag comes to the realisation that he had memorised the Book Of Ecclesiastes, during his realisation, that was that was yet to come began. Everyone is killed apart from the drifters and Montag, Montag becomes a part of a job building a large factory of mirrors, so that people could come and reflect on their lives and wrong doings. I think this part of the book speaks strongly about how ignorant and bitter people can be towards others particularly if someone has different opinions on something and that finding the right group of people can empower you to become your true self and live the life you embody. Montag is a figure of Jesus, he sacrifices his life for the good of others and those who chose to deny emotion and intelligence are the ones to die, while those who accept emotion are rewarded and praised through future experiences.