Fahrenheit 451 By Bradbury Essay, Research Paper

In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Montag is given the choice to memorize many

books. He is also given the choice to learn many different pieces from the

Bible. Ecclesiastes is a great choice for Montag to memorize. There are many

different bits of information from Ecclesiastes that are very similar to the

several details and events that occur in Fahrenheit 451. Ecclesiastes talks

about vanity in man?s private life, vanity in civil life, and also, true

wisdom. All of these are heavily cited in the book. This is why I feel that

Montag should have memorized Ecclesiastes. Vanity in man?s private life was a

major theme in the book. Just look at how Mildred complained about not having a

fourth TV wall. She wanted all four walls to have TV?s, so that not only would

her ?family? be complete, but also so that they could join the ranks of the

?higher? society. This is a major example of how vain Mildred is. She wants

Montag to go to work when he was sick, because she wants the money to go out and

buy another TV. She wants to be completely absorbed by her ?family?. Since

Montag has experience in this part of life he can relate his experiences and

integrate what he knows to what he has memorized from Ecclesiastes. Vanity in

civil life is another big theme in Fahrenheit 451. In Ecclesiastes it states

?Vain and cheerless is life because of the iniquity which reigns in the halls

of justice (iii, 16-22), as well as in the intercourse of men (iv, 1-3).? The

people have guilt for what they do, especially when it is something that is

against the law. In the book, Montag feels guilty for saving some of the books

and keeping them at his home. He also feels guilty being around Beatty. Montag

feels like he is deceiving Beatty and his fellow firemen. He knows that he is at

some fault here, but he cannot shake the feeling that his society is keeping

something from him and everyone else. Montag feels that the books contain the

answers to these questions. With his experience, once again he would be well

equipped to relate to Ecclesiastes. Following along with the other themes of the

book is true wisdom. True wisdom is not to attempt to solve all the riddles of

life, but instead enjoy what is known, and share that wisdom. With the knowledge

of Ecclesiastes, Montag could help better his society. He could change things.

It is also said that one should not lose his or her temper. Montag remained very

composed throughout the entire book, so I feel that he could handle this task.

He also follows advice well, and he works diligently. Ecclesiastes really would

be perfect for him to memorize. Montag is given the choice to memorize many

great works, including the Bible. Ecclesiastes is a wonderful choice for Montag

to memorize. It talks about vanity in man?s private life, vanity in civil

life, and also, true wisdom. All of these are heavily cited in the book. There

are many different bits of information from Ecclesiastes that are very similar

to the several details and events that occur in Fahrenheit 451. And this is why

I feel that Montag should have memorized Ecclesiastes.