The Fool and the Wise
After meeting Faber, Montag sets out on a mission to defeat the firemen. Montag was not alone; he had an earpiece in his ear through which Faber could communicate to Montag. However, with Montag's already-conflicting emotions, the addition of Faber to his thoughts caused him to feel divided: "he knew that he was two people...he was Montag who knew nothing...and he was also the old man who talked to him" (Bradbury, 1991, p. 102). He believed that he had two counterparts: the fool (himself) and the wise (Faber).
Fire, Water, and Wine
Montag then says that he believes that eventually, a new third person will emerge that is a combination of himself and Faber. This "new Montag" would be a completely new person, and would be aware of his old self and how he has changed. "...then one day...there would be neither fire nor water, but wine...And he would look back upon the fool and know the fool" (Bradbury, 1991, p. 103). Montag knows that he is leaving his old self for one that will have an understanding of himself.
Secrets Revealed
Later, Montag meets the firemen at the fire station. Beatty begins the conversation by remarking, "Who are a little wise, the best fools be" (Bradbury, 1991, p. 105). This phrase is taken from the poem "The Triple Fool" by John Donne.
The poem expresses the sentiments of a writer, who is conflicted with himself. He believes he is a fool for loving, and another fool for writing about this love. He still believes that writing about his grief will suppress it. But alas, the writer fools himself a third time, as his emotions are released again. He ends the poem with, "Who are a little wise, the best fools be" (Donne, 1896, para. 2), just as Beatty says to Montag. The writer is saying that an ideal fool or person is one who has some part of them that is wise; this way, he can be aware of himself and his surroundings.
When Beatty says this, it may be a direct reference to Montag. Everyone in this society is like a fool, controlled by the government and media; he may be aware that Montag is smarter and more aware than the average fool. However, Beatty may also be talking about himself.
Beatty could be calling himself "the triple fool." He may be a fool, but he is also wise; you can try to hide something from him, but he probably suspects the full truth. This is evidenced by the fact that Beatty sent the hound to Montag's house to sniff for books, which he suspected Montag owned.
This may foreshadow something important--Beatty knows about Montag's earpiece. It is explained later in the novel that Beatty became suspicious of Montag's earpiece once Montag became "clever"--another reference to Montag being a wise fool, and Beatty knowing about it.
This example of Beatty quoting a poem is just one of numerous references to other works throughout Fahrenheit 451--and proof that these lines may reveal more about a character than meets the eye.
Word Count: 599
Fire, Water, and Wine
Montag then says that he believes that eventually, a new third person will emerge that is a combination of himself and Faber. This "new Montag" would be a completely new person, and would be aware of his old self and how he has changed. "...then one day...there would be neither fire nor water, but wine...And he would look back upon the fool and know the fool" (Bradbury, 1991, p. 103). Montag knows that he is leaving his old self for one that will have an understanding of himself.
(from http://bit.ly/1hKIesY)
Secrets Revealed
Later, Montag meets the firemen at the fire station. Beatty begins the conversation by remarking, "Who are a little wise, the best fools be" (Bradbury, 1991, p. 105). This phrase is taken from the poem "The Triple Fool" by John Donne.
The poem expresses the sentiments of a writer, who is conflicted with himself. He believes he is a fool for loving, and another fool for writing about this love. He still believes that writing about his grief will suppress it. But alas, the writer fools himself a third time, as his emotions are released again. He ends the poem with, "Who are a little wise, the best fools be" (Donne, 1896, para. 2), just as Beatty says to Montag. The writer is saying that an ideal fool or person is one who has some part of them that is wise; this way, he can be aware of himself and his surroundings.
When Beatty says this, it may be a direct reference to Montag. Everyone in this society is like a fool, controlled by the government and media; he may be aware that Montag is smarter and more aware than the average fool. However, Beatty may also be talking about himself.
Beatty could be calling himself "the triple fool." He may be a fool, but he is also wise; you can try to hide something from him, but he probably suspects the full truth. This is evidenced by the fact that Beatty sent the hound to Montag's house to sniff for books, which he suspected Montag owned.
This may foreshadow something important--Beatty knows about Montag's earpiece. It is explained later in the novel that Beatty became suspicious of Montag's earpiece once Montag became "clever"--another reference to Montag being a wise fool, and Beatty knowing about it.
This example of Beatty quoting a poem is just one of numerous references to other works throughout Fahrenheit 451--and proof that these lines may reveal more about a character than meets the eye.
Word Count: 599
