• How does a hero react when he/she recognizes a problem in society?:

We are all familiar with the “classic” superhero. A fashioned suit of tight spandex material accompanied with knee-high boots and a cape. Some type of mask to keep a true identity hidden from the world and a famous symbol to reassure the world of its saving existence. While Batman, Superman, Wonderwoman, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and so many others hold differences in abilities they all share a similair mindset and course of action: see a problem, face it head on with overflowing courage, minor/major set back, gain a personality changing revelation, fight again, and win. Good always wins, right?

Never is there a moment of hesitation in their action, or a question hidden among their tone of voice. They are the definition of bravery. We look up to them, young children portray their costumes during Halloween and dress up playtime with the hope that one day they’ll be just like them. They leave a lasting impact, real or fictional. Heroes such as Martin Luther King JR., Harriet Tubman, Military personnel, policemen, and doctors showcase their own super powers without laser vision or ground breaking technology. They take on problems they see need fixing. Martin Luther King JR and Harriet Tubman recognized the issue of racial inequality and suffering among their people. They took action. Our military constantly fights for us with never-ending courage and strength. Policemen protect us locally, even when we find ourselves disagreeing with certain actions. Not all heroes have a great connection with citizens. Montag failed to remain free of fear. In fact, not many of his actions were for the good of the people. Even though we began to break away from the conformity of society, he ran away from the problem itself. Then again, can you really blame him for remaining self sufficient? After all, the only way of life he ever really knows is keeping everything all about him. As he speaks with Faber later on in the novel he speaks to him almost in desperation when he says “Nobody listens anymore. I can’t talk to the walls because they’re yelling at me. I can’t talk to my wife; she listens to the walls. I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if I talk long enough, it’ll make sense. And I want you to teach me to understand what I read.” (Bradbury, 78). He wants a change, but only for him. There is however the potential to be a hero by the end of the book. He begins to think on his own, letting go of a persona he once knew. “He felt as if he had left a stage behind and many actors. He felt as if he had left the great séance and all the murmuring ghosts. He was moving from an unreality that was frightening into a reality that was unreal because it was new.” (Bradbury, 133).

All types of heros break away from willful blindness. They are the change the world needs. The greatest hero of all, Jesus Christ, saved us in a humble and powerful way. He remained persistent and gracious to the citizens who listened to him. Recognizing the biggest problem in society, sin. He stood up for what was right, using the word of God as his own symbol of strength. Comforting those around him. A hero in an unlikely place, just like many heros’ alter egos.

 

 

• Why would a person choose to ignore a problem in society? What is the difference between a person who acts and a person who ignores?

It’s so much easier to ignore a problem. We would rather turn the other way than face a problem head on. The entire human race is guilty of this. Even activists who fight for women’s rights may turn their face away from a hunger crisis. Our own lives, cares, worries, and schedueles take presidency over anything outside of our comfort zone. “What would I even do anyway? It’s not like I’ll make a difference, what’s the point?” Sound familiar? It should.

The society in Farenheit 451 is no different. Their entire structure is built upon caution. They rid themselves of controversial literature because it makes the reader feel offended. Makes them feel. Thoughts are made up for them, and death is as meaningless as the person sitting next to them. They choose to ignore conflict to avoid confrontation, fearing the repercussions of stepping away from their colorful walls and sea shells. Montag used to be one of them. Living his life in willful blindness to the brokenness of the society, and the world. That is, until he opens his eyes. Clarice does an extraordinary job of helping him reach a “jumping off point” into a deep thinking lifestyle. Montag realizes the biggest reason she stood out was because “She didn’t want to know how a thing was done, but why.” (Bradbury, 57). Her mind was open to new possibilities and this transferred to Montag during their nightly walks home from work. We first catch a glimpse of this on page nine, “[Montag] felt his smile slide away, melt, fold over and down on itself like a tallow skin, like the stuff of a fantastic candle burning too long and now collapsing and now blown out. Darkness. He was no happy. He was not happy. He said the words to himself…He wore his happiness Like a mask and the girl had run off across the lawn with the mask and there was no way of going to knock on her door and ask for it back.” (Bradbury, 9). As the pages keep turning later into the novel, we see a giant transformation to a conversation with one of Mildred’s friends. After Montag reads a piece of poetry, Mildred’s friend begins to cry. Montag faces confrontation head on with the quote “Go home and think of your first husband divorced and your second killed in a jet and your third husband blowing his brains out, go home and think of a dozen abortions you’ve had, go home and think of that and your damn Caesarean sections, too, and your children who hate your guts! Go home and think how it all happened and what did you ever do to stop it? Go home, go home!” (Bradbury, 98).  – and finally we see the entire transformation of Montag, “You always said, don’t face a problem, burn it. Well, now I’ve done both. Goodbye, Captain.” (Bradbury, 115).

It is easier to ignore. The comfort of false security welcomes willful blindness with arms stretched open wide. The difference between a person who ignores and a person who acts is simple. One asks “What must be done”, the other asks “What must I do. What must we do.” Any person has full potential to end up on either spectrum. Before you realize where you are ask yourself who you want to be. Blind or open minded? Settled or curious? Selfish or selfless? Ask yourself, who are you going to be?