Post #14: Fahrenheit 451 Review

Hello blogging world! I'm back, here to review the end of Fahrenheit 451!

Spoiler Alert:

I will reveal some spoilers to how the book ends.

Okay, on to the review itself. I thought parts 1 and 2 of this book were great, no reason to complain. But when I came to part 3, well, I found this to be the most interesting part. I thought that Montag's successful attempt to get out of the city was well-written and rivals any car chase. There was a cliche in his run, as he tripped when getting away from the police. Beside that, however, I believed that his chase was unpredictable, and rather, quite exciting.

Now, here is my problem with Part 3: Bradbury constantly refers to this chase as a "war". Montag finds out that this is a war, by "through the aluminum wall he heard a radio voice saying, 'War had been declared'. (Bradbury 119)." Look, I understand why this is being called a war, but it is hard to believe because this "war " is against one person. And it is a chase, it's not like Montag is attacking people (beside Captain Beatty). This is a manhunt, simple as that. I don't know why Bradbury couldn't refer to this as that (through the point of view of the government) rather than a war. It is somehow my biggest beef with Part 3, I don't know why.

Well, Fahrenheit 451 was a much better book than a I expected, but it wasn't the greatest book I've read. Still interesting, however.

Post #13: Fahrenheit 451: "I Am Mrs. Bowles."

From the point of view of Mrs. Bowles...

After one two three four five minutes I finally reached my house.

"I will never talk to Mildred and her nasty husband again!" I yelled as I slammed the door. "Who is HE to judge my lifestyle? Who is HE, to judge my choices?" I continued as I stormed up the stairs/

"What's wrong, mommy?" my child asked me, as I was in the middle of my furious rant.

"NOTHING! Why aren't you in bed?" I answered, screaming. He scurried off to his room, not a sound coming from him. I continued into my bedroom and took my sleeping pills. I laid down and went to sleep. Except I couldn't.

One two three four five six hours later I was still awake. The image of Guy reading that poem kept coming back into my head. I thought about my first husband, and our divorce. I felt "happy" then, but was I, was I actually happy then? I don't know. According to society, I was. Then I remarried. Only for my husband to die. While I wasn't happy then, I had no feelings for him. Why? Why didn't I really love him? And now, my third husband, why is it that I can't love him? Heck, I can't even remember the name of my children. Not even when I see them, like earlier.

I began to bawl uncontrollably, realizing that Guy had a point. Maybe he did read that poem for a reason. He was showing me my life choices gone wrong. Maybe society isn't what it seems to be. Maybe I need to actually care for my family. I should care more about others than what the walls say. Society just dictates that I shouldn't do any of these things. I mean, I've probably done more real thinking over the last one two three four five six hours than the government would want me to do over my lifetime!

Guy was right in telling me that poem. I finally have a real purpose in life. Not just one that society says I have. Thank you, Guy Montag, thank you.