Fahrenheit 451 Post 2: The Hearth and the Salamander

Guy Montag lives in the future. In his world, books are avoided like the plague. Censorship is at an all time high. Television rules, and books are obsolete. Any form of creative thinking is illegal. It's considered strange to go a walk. Firemen cease to exist, because all houses are fireproof. Instead of putting out fires, firemen start them in order to burn books. Fire hoses are filled with kerosene. All books must be burned. Montag is brainwashed into this form of thinking simply because of the world that surrounds him. He mentions in the first sentence of the novel that it's a "pleasure to burn." Near the beginning of the novel, Montag meets a young teenage girl named Clarisse. From today's standards, Clarisse would be considered normal, but in the future where this story takes place, she's crazy. She even admits to it. Clarisse does strange (and illegal) things, like taking walks, enjoying fresh air, and thinking creatively. She asks Montag if he's happy. Montag laughs, then returns home and realizes that he's not happy at all.

Montag's wife, Mildred, is a stereotypical member of society. She watches TV all day long, and listens to the voices in her head (said voices are actually seashells that are lodged in her ear at all times.). Mildred attempts suicide, but government workers remove her blood, and replace it with new blood. Mildred forgets everything. 

Back at the Firehouse, Montag encounters The Hound. The Hound is a mechanical dog, and it is very mysterious. When Montag approaches The Hound, it reacts violently. Montag talks to Captain Beatty about it, asking why it would react like that. Montag mentions that this is the third time it's happened to him. Montag asks if The Hound was programmed to act like that towards him. Beatty says that no one would do that to him.

That same day, the alarm goes off. Time to go burn books. An old woman hid books in her attic. She's incredibly passionate. When Montag tries to persuade her to leave, she lights a match herself and goes up in flames along with her books. Right before this happened, Montag snuck a book under his jacket without even thinking about it. 

Once Montag gets home, he hides the book under his pillow. He asks Mildred where Clarisse has been; he hasn't seen her in four days. Mildred calmly replies that the family moved away, and that she thinks that Clarisse was hit by a car and killed. Later, Montag reveals the book to his wife. In fact, it's been a whole year, and Montag reveals about 20 books that he's hidden. Mildred freaks out and tries to burn them, but Montag convinces her that they should read them.

END OF CHAPTER 1

Fahrenheit 451 Post 1: About the Author

Ray Bradbury (1920-2012)

According to The New York Times, Ray Bradbury was a “master of science fiction”. The New York Times writer, Gerald Jonas, couldn’t be more wrong.

"I don't write science fiction. Science fiction is a depiction of the real. Fantasy is a depiction of the unreal."

– Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury

Literary technicalities aside, Bradbury was a phenomenal writer who changed the world. He lived to be 91 years old and died peacefully this past summer on June 5th. 

Ninety-one years ago, Swedish immigrant Ester Moberg Bradbury brought Ray into the world. He would later go on to win the Pulitzer prize in 2004. Many famous people seem to know what they're going to do with their life from a very young age. Mozart began playing music in public at age 6. Shirley Temple starred in her first movie at age 3. Ray Bradbury decided he wanted to be an author at age 12 (somewhat old when put in perspective). However, Johnny Depp didn’t begin acting until his early 20’s.

Ray Bradbury didn’t just write books. He wrote short stories, and he wrote for theatre, cinema, and television. 

His most famous book, Fahrenheit 451, was published in 1953. It was later made into a movie in 1966. 

To Kill a Mockingbird Post 9 (Final): Chapters 27-31

Chapter 27

In this short chapter we see that Mr. Ewell is a legit creeper. He follows Mrs. Robinson around everywhere... creepily. Mr. Deas tells him that he better stop, and he does. Aunt Alexandra is rationally worried because Mr. Creeper Ewell looks as if he is holding a grudge against everyone involved with the Ewell vs. Robinson case. SPOILER ALERT: Mr. Ewell dies at the end, so there's nothing to worry about.

Did you know that ham could save your life (Answer at beginning of chapter 29 summary)?

I played a wise man once in a Christmas pageant and hated it. Maycomb is a different sort of town. They host Halloween pageants. Scout is a ham. No, really, she plays a ham in the pageant. Jem has to walk his sister to the school for her performance because the rest of Scout's family was too tired to come see it (Supportive, right?).

Chapter 28

Remember Cecil Jacobs from earlier in the book? Me neither. Anyway, he pops up out of nowhere and scares Jem and Scout on their way to the school. It's pitch black outside, so it was a simple task for Jacobs. Once it's time for Scout's big show, she falls asleep. The director of the pageant went on for a half an hour about Maycomb. I would have fallen asleep, too. Scout's super late on her entrance when the word "PORK!" is yelled out as her cue. This small kerfuffle causes laughter from the audience, and embarrassment from Scout.

On their way home, the most exciting thing in the book takes place. I'll explain it from both kids perspectives.

The Reader's (Scout's) perspective:

Jem and I are walking home. We hear footsteps behind us. Is it Cecil? No, Cecil would have scared us by now. It must be someone else. The footsteps get faster; Jem and I begin running. My stupid ham costume causes me to trip and fall. I'm being attacked! Now Jem's being attacked! *Crunch*! What was that? Meh, I'll figure it out in three more chapters. Ahh!! I have no idea what's going on! I can't see hardly anything! This is a real drag. First I mess up the Halloween pageant and now this! Jem! I need a flashlight. I can't see a thing. I'm having the greatest feeling of pietrisycamollaviadelrechiotemexity!

Jem's perspective:

Scout and I are walking home. We hear footsteps behind us. Is it Cecil? No, Cecil would have scared us by now. It must be someone else. The footsteps get faster; Scout and I begin running. Scout's being attacked! Now I'm being attacked! *Crunch*! My arm! My arm! Ahh!! I have no idea what's going on! I can't see hardly anything! This is a real drag. I can't see a thing. I'm having the greatest feeling of pietrisycamollaviadelrechiotemexity!

Is there a doctor in the house? In Scout's case, yes. There was a doctor in her house. Doctor Reynolds to be more specific. He's taking care of Jem, who is unconscious. Scout must be scarred for life. Mr. Ewell is lying outside dead with a knife in his ribcage.

Chapter 29

We find out that Mr. Ewell tried to stab Scout, but her ham costume prevented it. Told you ham could save your life! Scout noticed earlier that someone carried Jem home after the attack. She realizes in this chapter that it was Boo! And he's in her living room! Scout stays calm and says, "Hey, Boo."

Chapter 30

Boo and Scout go and sit on the porch. They overhear Atticus and Heck Tate discussing in an angry fashion (also known as arguing). Atticus is convinced that his son killed Mr. Ewell. Mr. Ewell says the death was an accident and that Bob fell on his own knife. Mr. knows the truth: Boo killed Bob. He quotes Jesus's words from Matthew 8:22: "...Let the dead bury their own dead." Mr Tate wants to cover up the truth so Boo isn't bothered by the law.

Chapter 31 - The Final Chapter!

To Kill a Mockingbird doesn't have the type of conclusion I was expecting. In fact, Lee leaves a lot up to the imagination. A sequel would be appropriate for this story, but alas, it will never be written. Scout walks her new friend (although she probably feels like she's been his friend for a long time) home. She never sees Mr. Arthur Radley again. Scout briefly imagines what it's like to be Boo Radley. Jem never meets Boo as he was unconscious during Boo's entire visit. Thinking back to chapter one, I now know how Jem broke his arm. 

“When they finally saw him, why he hadn’t done any of those things . . . Atticus, he was real nice. . . .”

“Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.”

To Kill a Mockingbird Post 8: Chapters 22-26

Chapter 22

The next segment in the book focuses on Jem. He is painfully realizing the injustice in the world. Jem's perspective of the town of Maycomb is now completely revamped. What Jem thought as reasonable, sensible, people are now (in his mind) racist, despicable monsters. As far as I'm concerned, the world isn't fair. But we just need to trust that God will serve justice. He said He would, and that's good enough for me. I have had many unjust things happen to me so far in live, even though I'm only fifteen years old. Sometimes, justice was served to those who wronged me. In cases where justice wasn't served, I know that God will serve it eventually, whenever He sees fit. To come back to the story and away from my rabbit trail, I'll tell you about the Finch's story and what happened to them after the trial.

Obviously, the blacks in Maycomb are happy with Atticus because he stood up for Tom, even though Atticus knew he was going to lose. This key point in the story reveals the most about Atticus's character. He stands up for what he believes in, even when nearly everyone around him disagrees with his beliefs. This story reminds me of Noah's story in the book of Genesis. Noah still build that ark even when everyone laughed at him. The black community in Maycomb blesses the Finches by bringing them a plethora of food.

Near the end of the chapter, Scout and Jem learn that Mr. Ewell confronted Atticus, spat on him, and said "I'll get you my pretty! And your little dog, too!"*

*That last part was a lie. But Mr. Ewell did swear that he'd get revenge. Besides, Atticus doesn't have a dog.

Chapter 23

Atticus is convinced that Mr. Ewell won't cause anymore harm. Scout asks her father what is going to happen to Mr. Robinson. Atticus regretfully tells her that rape is a capital offense, and that Tom will be executed.

Jem and his father have a long discussion about the morality of the death penalty. Jem mentions that he doesn't think someone should be killed for committing a crime that didn't kill anyone. I agree with Jem. Personally, I don't think anyone should be killed, no matter what crime they committed. But what about Hitler? Or the man who killed 12 movie goers in Aurora? Or Jessica Ridgeway's kidnapper? Of course, such criminals should be punished severely (put in jail for life with no humane treatment), but never killed. Killing even the worst of criminals doesn't make us any more ethical than them.

Atticus tells Jem that only one man in the jury was on Tom's side: A member of the Cunningham family. Scout instantly says that they should invite Walter over for dinner. Explicitly, Aunt Alexandra tells Scout that a Finch is not to associate with trash. Obviously, Scout is upset at her aunt's impertinent comment. Jem takes Scout aside before she becomes feral. The two talk about Alexandra's despicable attitude toward their friends, class warfare, and more. Jem proudly shows Scout his one chest hair. Scout lies and tells her brother that she can see it and that it looks very nice. This titbit of the story shows us how Jem (although only 12) is slowly becoming a man.

Chapter 24

The beginning of this chapter is very boring. Scout visits the Missionary Society (A group of crazy ladies who are apparently trying to "uplift people" but are trying to do so in such a way that does anything but.). Scout is pulled aside from tea, and is informed that Tom Robinson was shot 17 times after a failed attempt to escape. After hearing of Robinson's death, Scout returns to tea furtively sporting a poker face.

Chapter 25

Surprisingly, the main event I would like to highlight in this chapter is when Scout tried to squash a bug. She sees a roly-poly, and right before trying to kill it, Jem intervenes. He claims that the defenseless insect did nothing to harm Scout, and that she shouldn't kill an innocent creature. Any other day, Jem probably wouldn't have cared one bit what Scout did to the bug. My guess is that he was sensitive about Tom's wrongful death. This incidence ties right into the book's strange title: To Kill A Mockingbird. Earlier in the book, Atticus mentions that it's a sin to kill a mockingbird because mockingbirds don't do anything to harm anyone. All they do is sing. Kind of like a roly-poly. Not that roly-polies sing, but it would be cool if they did. What I meant is that roly-polies don't do anything to harm anyone. You understood what I meant? Oh...

Chapter 26

Time for school! Also, time to start walking by the Radley Place again. The kids aren't scared about the Place anymore. But Scout still wants to get a glimpse of Boo. Scout's third grade teacher begins teaching about World War II, which began recently. She talks about the injustice of Hitler's reign. Scout questions Jem about how her teacher can be so two-faced (Thinking it's a good idea to convict Robinson because he's black, and thinking that Hitler is bad.). Jem just gets mad, and Scout goes to her dad to ease her grief.

To Kill a Mockingbird Post 7: Chapters 17-21

Chapter 17

Throughout the next five chapters, we only see the trial from Scout's point of view, just like the rest of the book. Luckily, Scout is in the courtroom for most of the time.

We start with Mr. Gilmer (the prosecutor) asking questions to Mr. Heck Tate. He says that Mayella Ewell's father encouraged him to come to his house. Once Gilmer got there, he says that Mr. Ewell said that Tom Robinson raped his daughter. Gilmer talks about the bruises he saw on Miss Ewell. The only thing Atticus asks in rebuttal is: "Why the Heck (no pun intended) didn't you call the cops?" They claimed that it would have cost too much, and it would have been useless. The jury also learns for the first time that Mr. Robinson only has one functioning hand: his left one. Miss Mayella had bruises on the left side of her face. If they were facing each other when the kerfuffle happened, wouldn't her bruises be on the right side, if Tom really was the one to hurt her? Hmm...

Chapter 18

Next up is Miss Mayella's side of the story. She says that she saw Tom Robinson near her house and invited him onto her property to do a favor. Tom Robinson is a nice man, so he tried his best to help her out. She then claims that Tom raped her. According to Mayella, to describe what Mr. Robinson did as browbeating would be an understatement. Atticus asks the girl why she didn't scream louder, and why none of her family came to help. Atticus also asks her to just admit that it was her father who beat her. The plot thickens!

Chapter 19

Finally, it's Tom's turn to tell his side. He explains that he didn't do anything brash. He also says that he frequently passes the Ewell's house and did favors for Miss Mayella. He says that on the day Miss Mayella accused him of raping her, that she invited him into her home to fix a door. There was nothing wrong with the door. Tom says that she then asked him to pick up something from a high shelf and scared him half top death when she wrapped her arms around his waist. With a dogged attitude, Tom says that she begged him to kiss her, and might as well have invited him into bed. Tom says that he fought back, but didn't want to hurt her. He eventually got out of there when Mr. Ewell witnessed the events and called his own daughter a w****. After seemingly everyone disagrees with Tom's story, Dill starts crying, and Scout takes him out of the courtroom. The two run into Dolphus Raymond, the man with half-black children.

Chapter 20

Raymond gives Dill some of his booze to comfort him. Scout warns him not to drink too much. Dill quickly learns that the liquid in the bottle in the paper bag is just Coke! Raymond explains that he pretends to be a drunk so he's not judged for preferring blacks over whites. When the kids get back into the courtroom, the hear Atticus giving a schpeel about the truth about Tom Robinson. Personally, I'm on Atticus's side. He says that Miss Mayella was lonely, and she tried to have sex with anyone she could to fulfill herself. Atticus says that her father beat her because Tom was black. Atticus begs the court to simply believe the fact that just because a person is black, doesn't mean that they're automatically a criminal. And the party don't start 'till Calpurnia walks in. She walked in.

Chapter 21

Calpurnia explains that it's nothing to do with the case. The judge allows it. Cal tells Atticus that the kids are in the courtroom. After some discussion with his kids, Atticus and Jem compromise. The kids get to go home for supper, eat slowly, then come back to finish watching the case. After supper, the kids return to the courtroom. Jem is eager for his dad to win. Dill just falls asleep. Tom Robinson is convicted guilty! 

To Kill a Mockingbird Post 6: Chapters 15-16

Chapter 15

The events in this chapter are anything but placid. Scout notices that her dad left the house for no apparent reason. She explains that no one "just went for a walk" in Maycomb. She knew something was up. She grabbed Jem and Dill and began to investigate. They found Atticus sitting in front of the jail reading the paper. Four cars drive up to the jail, and Scout approaches Atticus. Reluctantly, Jem and Dill follow. Scout is naive. She has no idea what's going on. She recognizes one of the men from the four cars to be Walter Cunningham's father. Scout casually asks him to say hi to his son. The men depart, leaving nothing but footprints. Scout managed to save the day!

Chapter 16

Trial time! One look at Maycomb, and you may think they were hosting the Stark Expo.  It seems that the only person in all of Maycomb who didn't attempt to attend the trial was Miss Maudie. She comments that's it's comparable to watching a Roman Carnival. Scout and Jem sneak in after everyone else so Atticus doesn't notice them. They are forced to sit in the "colored" section. Tom Robinson must be feeling quite futile right now! The Judge's name is Taylor, and he's famous for being involved in connivances.

To Kill a Mockingbird Post 5: Chapters 12-14

Chapter 12

Scout isn't getting along very well with Jem. Obviously, she looks forward to Dill coming for the summer. But, Dill writes saying that he has a new dad, and won't becoming to Maycomb for the summer. Calpurnia takes Jem and Scout to church with her. Calpurnia's church is a "black church", and all the people there welcome the kids, except for a woman named Lula. When the kids get home, they see their Aunt sitting on the porch.

Chapter 13

Aunt Alexandra is austere. She knows what's right, and that's the end of it. She moves in to give the kids a female figure to look up to. The people of Maycomb welcomed the newcomer; Scout did not. Scout and Jem are very disappointed at their Aunt's arrival, probably because they don't want to be told what to do. Scout, especially, is very curt towards her Aunt.

Chapter 14

When Scout first heard that Tom Robinson was accused of rape, she didn't know what "rape" meant. She didn't remember to ask Atticus until chapter 14. Atticus explains it as "carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent." Scout is so myopic that she doesn't see it as too big an issue. Scout isn't too fond of her Aunt, and Jem tells her to stop antagonizing her. Scout has a fit, and goes after Jem. Finally, Atticus breaks it up. When Scout goes to bed, she thinks there's a snake under her bed. She later finds out that it was Dill! Dill ran away from his parents because they were neglecting him. The kids tell Miss Rachel (Dill's Aunt) of his location.