A Lot of Care But Little Action

     As I continue to read Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, the main character Montag has decided to take action against the other firemen.  This is because he realized that maybe books are important to society, and shouldn't be burned.  Currently, he has made a plan with an old man to burn the houses of firemen. The book describes this old man as someone who has always wanted to keep books around, but was too afraid to take any action to preserving them.  This makes me think about how many people will have strong views on something, but never take action.

     In the book, the old man Faber had created a device he was able to pay for playing the stock markets after his university closed.  The device allowed him to implant one piece in one ear and the other, anywhere he chose.  That way, he could "hear and analyze the firemen's world, find its weaknesses, without danger."  According to Faber, it was just, "Proof of (his) terrible cowardice." Although he made this device long ago, he never put it to much use in trying to rebel against the burning of all books.  And now, though he is old and Montag is willing to help destroy the burning system, he is still afraid.  This angers me because he hasn't much to lose, but only something the world should hear and can probably gain from.  I personally think that if you believe in something, you should put it to action, or else you are no better than those who are against it.  This reminds me of people who are insanely mad at the outcome of elections, but didn't even vote. I want to ask, Why sit wondering "what if," when you could be rejoicing over a victory for your cause?  I believe the answer to this is because many are afraid of the views of society.  They may not want to be known as the crazy person.  However, I just want to get it out there that many people thought people like Albert Einstein were crazy, but they went on to changing the world in a huge way.  In conclusion, I want this post to be a call to action for those who have strong beliefs.  I think we should all stand up for what we believe in.

Just Fun, No Rules

451 degrees fahrenheit is the temperature at which paper burns.  In the book I am reading, Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, the main character Montag is a fireman.  However, in his life, firemen are people who start fires and burn all books so that nobody gets crazy ideas besides basic facts such as names of states.  Also in his world, there are basically no rules.  Kids can go around killing each other, and are encouraged to go to the amusement park 24/7.   However, although many people in the book don't realize it, this form of chaos and fun doesn't actually make them truly happy.  This makes me think about the difference between having fun and being happy.

In the book, although Montag said he was happy at first, a 17 year old girl helped him realize otherwise.  For example, because of the no rules and ample amount of fun to have, people in Montag's life never get to know each other.  Barely anyone ever talks to one another. Montag realizes this when his own wife had a near death experience, and he realized he wouldn't have cried if she had died.  In truth, they were complete strangers not worth caring about.  Also, through this lack of conscience because of the no rules policy, people are left to take horrible actions while "having fun."  For example, while Montag and other firemen filled up on glee from burning the books of a house, they burned and killed a women.  Beatty, another fireman's excuse was that she was crazy for having all those books and she would have committed suicide anyways.  Overall, I think there is a fine line between having fun and being happy.

In conclusion, although being happy and having fun can often go together, sometimes it's the opposite.  When people say that they wish there were no rules, I think that they should reconsider that.  If having fun is taken too far, it can often lead to supporting chaos and no rules.  And that, as exemplified by people in Montag's life, can lead to a very unhappy life where people die and get hurt.  A place where no one cares for each other.  This book has also made me think about the importance of having a stable set of rules, so that the world isn't chaotic and so dangerous.

Even Better Than Dreaming

The obnoxious alarm starts a new day

Behind closed eyelids I let out a groan

The beeps and buzzes take my dreams away

As if those fantasies were just a loan

Dancing ponies flee my unconscious mind

So does investigating a dark crime

I wish that this clock were not so unkind

It is like a tangy and bitter lime

But though this alarm clock takes dreams from me

Without it I would not feel the Sun’s rays

It awakens me to reality

Even better than sleep are happy days

I smile at knowing that this is true

Because when I’m awake I can love you