Skip to main content

What is the significance of Montag's being "fully aware of his entire body"

This quote is found near the end of the book, as Montag and the other survivors experience the contrasts of the wilderness. Montag reflects on how Mildred would not have been able to tolerate the lack of stimulation, but that Montag, by contrast, is now "waking up" to the sensations of his own body.


This is a reference to some of what Faber spoke about when he and Montag discussed the elements necessary for their...

This quote is found near the end of the book, as Montag and the other survivors experience the contrasts of the wilderness. Montag reflects on how Mildred would not have been able to tolerate the lack of stimulation, but that Montag, by contrast, is now "waking up" to the sensations of his own body.


This is a reference to some of what Faber spoke about when he and Montag discussed the elements necessary for their society to recover from its self-induced stupor. One element was the ability to reflect on what had been learned - but this was impossible, according to Faber, because there was no room for reflection when one's senses were filled up and overloaded with programming at every moment and every place. We see this when Montag is attempting to memorize the passage from his book and "arguing" with the Denham's ad on the subway.


In the wilderness, the complete lack of traditional stimulation is, ironically, stimulating. Montag's "face, his mouth, his eyes stuffed with blackness", and "the more he breathed the land in, the more he was filled up with all the
details of the land." The entire experience is wholly novel for him. This is probably the first time that Montag has had to actually rely on his body and "listen" to it in this way, and also the first time that he has experienced nature in a way that allows it to compete with the programmed reality of society. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more