Fahrenheit 451: Differences Between Two Worlds

During the second section of the novel, Fahrenheit 451, Mildred Montag has friends, other people obsessed with watching the parlor walls, over to watch their 'families' on the parlor wall, leaving their real families behind to do the worrying; they seem to be closer to the shows on T.V, than their husbands at home; this only proves how different our world is compared to theirs. It is almost like the people on the T.V are their real friends and family; they forget about everything that is going on in the world around them, and focus on the shows. How can someone be so into T.V, that they completely ignore their loved ones, and even forget where they first met? Unfortunately, times have changed; things that are so important to us now, seem to go down the drain; the people forget these things because they no longer think or discuss, they only make small talk, and ignore their loved ones.

Guy Montag feels that his wife pays more attention to the T.V, than him; he decides to do the unthinkable, and read a book to his wife and her friends. Reading a book is illegal to normal citizens, but even more against the rules to a fireman--a man that is supposed to burn any book insight; after seeing a woman, along with her books and house, go up in flames, Montag catches the 'fever,' and starts to read--an action that horrifies his wife. While reading his book aloud, one of Mildred's friend bursts into tears. "Mrs. Phelps was crying. The others in the middle of the desert watched her crying grow very loud as her face squeezed itself out of shape. They sat, not touching her, bewildered with her display. She sobbed uncontrollably. Montag himself was stunned and shaken." (p.100) The other ladies defend Mrs. Phelps by saying that they always knew that poetry was suicide, and that the words were silly and hurtful; the ladies have no idea what the poem is about, they only know that it is against the law to read books; because of this law, and their controlled thoughts, every person there seems to think that his action was unforgivable and revolting. In our time, poetry, and other reading, is beautiful, relaxing, and a form of expressing yourself; the fact that the people cannot comprehend the reading, and that reading is an action that is unforgivable proves how our world is different than theirs, and the fact that these women enjoy T.V more than their families is completely ironic, and horrible.

The Two Majesties

Sitting here on a rock,

Looking over my kingdom,

Looking over the valleys below,

Looking over the vibrant colors in

The sunset above

I am King.

Thinking about my life,

My struggles,

My successes,

My admirers,

I am King.

I've lived a life of power,

Everybody listening,

Everybody agreeing,

Nobody speaking their mind.

I realize I’ve lead my dear kingdom,

As a ruler not leader.

I’ve gave them orders,

Not suggestions.

Sitting here on a rock,

Looking over my kingdom,

Looking over the valleys below,

Looking at the vibrant colors in

The sunset above.

I regret time I spent,

Being King.

Love of Pain

“I'll tell you…what real love is. It is blind devotion, unquestioning self-humiliation, utter submission, trust and belief against yourself and against the whole world, giving your whole heart and soul to the smiter—as I did!” (p.240) Throughout the course if the novel, Great Expectations, the different types of love are displayed--love through fear, love of self, love of power, and so on--clearly through different characters; Miss Havisham shows love of pain--she can't let go of the past and move on, she can't live without her pain, and she can't show love for anyone anymore. After being stood up on her wedding--a day that is supposed to be filled with love and happiness, instead was filled with humiliation and despair--she gives advice to Pip, a young man, about love, and how you shouldn't love. What kind of person tells a young, happy gentleman that love is a bad thing; love could turn his life around. Miss Havisham is saying that love just ends up in humiliation; that was her story, but other people are different. It seems as though she has remorse towards the thought of ever loving a man; she can't forgive herself, she can't feel good about herself when people around her care for each other, and she can't, and will never, find the light at the end of a tunnel-- the courage to move on.

Discussion on Wemmick

As Pip has gone to work with Wemmick and has gone to his house, he discovers that this man-- who is very serious, cruel, and efficient at work, and loving, giddy with joy, and care-free at home-- has two very different sides, and even witnesses the transformation from Wemmick's work side to and his kinder side at home. When Pip goes over to Wemmick's house after work, Wemmick turns from a serious man, to a loving man as they got closer to home; once they arrived at Wemmick's house, which he calls a castle, Wemmick is a full-on loving man. He gives Pip a tour of his house, showing pride and happiness at every corner of his property; Wemmick loves is flag pole-- and the fact that he puts the flag on it at a certain time each day--and his draw-bridge that covers the small hole in front of his house, and the gothic windows. On their way to work, every step that the two took, Wemmick's face hardened, and even seemed to have cracks in it. This transformation, that Pip just witnessed, proved that this man has two total different sides; it almost seems as if Wemmick is afraid to be affectionate towards his friends in front of Jaggers, as if he is intimidated by him.

Discussion on Pip's Home Life

At home, Pip's life is very difficult; it seems as though his sister-- someone who should acre deeply for you-- hates him, hates her husband, and hates her life. Mrs. Joe and her husband aren't intelligent, and don't seem to have a lot of common sense. When Pip disappears for a while, when he was in the churchyard, his sister goes looking for him with the Tickler-- an abusive device. Of a child disappeared like that today, their parents would go looking for them, be worried, and definitely wouldn't carry around a torture stick. Anytime that Pip does something wrong, his sister questions why she ever raised him and didn't leave him to die; she even said that if she could have the choice to, she would go back and leave him to die. What kind of family wishes that their sibling was dead, so they didn't have to work hard? Pip's home life is uncaring, abusive, and horrible.

Life

Deep blue water rushes by and by,

Crashing into the boulders ,

Again, and again.

What a hard life,

I stand there watching

The waves struggle as I,

Stand there, watching my life go by.

Hours pass, and I am still there.

Wondering, why there are obstacles,

That keep us from an easy life

If there were no obstacles,

There would be no reward,

For the life we have,

For the life that we have worked,

And for the life that we live for.

The Good Earth Response: Wang's Uncle and the City

In the novel, The Good Earth, a strong character is described. Wang Lung's uncle isn't a main character, but he definitely leaves an impression. At times he is a jerk; he tells the village that Wang has money, but isn't buying food, and isn't giving him any. In one chapter, Wang and his uncle are in a fight. They yell back and forth, and even some tears are shed. The next minute, the uncle is saying what a good man Wang is, and how he, the uncle, is a man of evil. It seems as if he has two totally different sides to him, and neither side is the true him; he is lost in his life of lies, and can't find the way out.

When Wang Lung's family goes poor, they make the tough decision to head to a city in the south-- a rich, beautiful city where everyone is doing well. As they arrive a man gives the family a few directions-- build a hut out of mats, and beg, beg as if you are depending on those people. The sad fact is, they are depending on these people. To me, it seems like Wang is ashamed that his family-- his wife, kids, and father-- are out on the streets begging people more fortunate than themselves. While his family is begging , Wang is pulling people in rickshas-- a hard, horrible job. Wang is unhappy, and realizing that he is very poor; reality has just set in, and he doesn't like reality a bit.