“So while our art cannot, as we wish it could, save us from wars, privation, envy, greed, old age, or death, it can revitalize us amidst it all.” Ray Bradbury
FAHRENHEIT 451
PART II: (80 – 93)
Describe Faber’s physical appearance. Why do you think he looks this way?
Why might Guy describe his wife as someone who’s “dying”?
What does Faber reveal has happened to religion?
Slow Down: Faber admits, “Mr. Montag, you are looking at a coward. I saw the way things were going, a long time back. I said nothing. I’m one of the innocents who could have spoken up and out when no one would listen to the ‘guilty,’ but I did not speak and thus became guilty myself. And when finally they set the structure to burn the books, using the firemen, I grunted a few times and subsided, for there were no others grunting or yelling with me, by then. Now it’s too late” (82).
Why does Faber consider himself guilty? Can you think of any other historical events in which people did not speak up OR when a few voices changed the course of events?
Why are books hated and feared?
Slow Down: Faber tells of Hercules and Antaeus. He asks, “Do you know the legend of Hercules and Antaeus, the giant wrestler, who strength was incredible so long as he stood firmly on the earth? But when he was held, rootless, in midair, by Hercules, he perished easily. If there isn’t something in that legend for us today, in this city, in our time, then I am completely insane” (83).
If you put the legend in the context of the world of the novel, what do the following represent?
Antaeus is a ________________ so he has/represents ___________________________
as long as he is able to ___________________________________.
Hercules is able to ____________________ Anaeus if he
______________________________.
If you don’t have roots (foundation, connection) you will _______________________.
What are examples of “roots” in your life?
How does Montag think he’ll be able to help the cause of bringing books back into people’s lives? What is his plan?
What does Faber suggest instead?
Slow Down: Underline the qualities or roles of books as believed by Faber. Do you agree with the following passage? Why or why not?
“You can’t guarantee things like that! After all, when we had all the books we needed, we still insisted on finding the highest cliff to jump off of. But we do need a breather. We do need knowledge. And perhaps in a thousand years we might pick smaller cliffs to jump off. The books are to remind us what asses and fools we are. They’re Caesar’s praetorian guard, whispering as the parade roars down the avenue, ‘Remember, Caesar, thou art mortal.’ Most of us can’t rush around, talk to everyone, know all the cities of the world, we haven’t time, money or that many friends. The things you’re looking for, Montag, are in the world, but the only way the average chap will ever see ninety-nine percent of them is in a book. Don’t ask for guarantees. And don’t look to be saved in any one thing, person, machine, or library. Do your own bit of saving, and if you drown, at least die knowing you were headed for shore” (86).
On page 86, Faber’s plan is to do what with the books—to make what happen?
What does Faber mean when he says, “The whole culture’s shot through. The skeleton needs melting and shaping” (87)?
Is Faber going to help Montag after all? What does Montag want from Faber? How does Montag persuade Faber?
Why does Faber want Montag’s money? What device does Faber have for Montag?
BONUS! Tell me what you know (or what you can find) about The Book of Job. Why do you think that is the piece Faber decides to read to Montag??
Read to “. . . moving just a trifle” on page 93.