so it occurred to me that Montag's decision is really really hard.
it's not easy to totally go against everything you have been taught to basically be a revolutionary for what you believe is truly right - to go against society and do something everyone (well, MOSTLY everyone) is telling you is wrong.
I wonder how many people reading this book look at their 55in TV and say "that would never happen to me" or how many people look at their 55in TV and watch "programs...some of the best ever...oh, you know, the bunch" (p49).
whose side are you on?
First of all, I think it's not entirely voluntary: Montag feels disconnected from his wife and unfulfilled by his profession. His curiosity is further piqued by the mysterious young girl. He doesn't so much rebel as scratch the itch.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I think there is a middle ground between the extremes of Millie and Faber. That is, one might watch the big screen TV critically, accepting some parts and rejecting other parts of its message. The choice isn't simply unequivocal acceptance or rejection.
I think there truly are people who live for their 55in TVs, and others who curse them(the 55in TVs, I mean)and would like to deny their existence....and then there's everybody in between. The issue lies with the electronic barrier, a necessary, integral part of the technology,which inadvertently fosters a disconnect amongst human beings. There's no substitute for having your living, breathing relatives and/or friends in the same room with you, whether you like them or not(relating to them on a TV screen might be your preferred choice however, and we now have that option open to us). Bradbury's Seashells are our earbuds of today, and his wall TVs similar to our computer and LCD screens, the larger the better. Timothy Leary, one of several '60s gurus, is quoted as having once said "turn on, tune in, drop out"...little did he know at the time how soon his suggestion would become what seems to be the current reality.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I would be on Faber's side, but I wouldn't go to extremes and start a revolution. I would be one of those people who would help but discretely.
ReplyDeleteOk, I would say in an argument of Faber vs. Millie, I would side with Faber. The fact that people devolved mentally so much that they are talking to a wall is just sad and wrong. I mean, yes, I do like TV, but books are better. They have depth, and can inspire you. They suck you into their world and allow you to leave whenever you wish. You can spend so much time in a book then you could watching TV, where your imagination is rarely used. All the things that can be perceived differently to people after reading a book are all perceived the same way if you watched the movie. (ie. In a book, the setting good be a city full of splendor. People could say it was vast and shimmering. Others would say it was short and condensed, yet full of incredible people. Yet the movie would have a city defined and created by the director and producer. Everyone would be watching the one conceptualization of it.) My main point is that without the books we have, no one would be unique and imagination would grow smaller until it all but disappears. I'm not saying TV stinks and we don't need it, but books are just as good if not better.
ReplyDelete-Michael Middleton
Class of 2014
I would side with professor Faber. He knew that society was only going downhill from where they were at that point. what I wouldnt side with him about was his lack of courage. I know that it would be extremely tough to go against everyone and everything, but you have to do what you truely believe is right, no matter what anyone else thinks.
ReplyDelete-Sean Craig
Class of 2013