Stage 5: Work Backwards / Find Your Formula

Stage 5: Work Backwards / Find Your Formula:

Formula 2: Look for the Question

Question:
Montag has a sudden change of thought.  What occurrences/events happen that leads to this abrupt change?  How does Clarisse actually change him?

Trouble:
Montag is curious before he meets Clarisse, so she doesn’t exactly change his perspective and curiosity about the life and society he lives in, as well as his relationship towards Clarisse and Beatty.

Situation-Status Quo:
Montag is as curious before he meets Clarisse, as he is after he meets her.  For example, he questions things about the Mechanical Hound.  He fears the Hound and is very paranoid about what it’ll do to him.  He wonders why it tries to attack him over and over again.

Claim:
The reason Montag has this unexpected change of thought introduced by Clarisse rather than a new change of thought is because Clarisse allowed him to take his “happy” mask off by opening him to the truth that blinded him to see himself living a “happy” life in the “happy” society.  We can see how Montag’s thoughts simply alter rather then grow from a new “seed” in exploring the relationship and interactions between him and Clarisse.  It is evident that Montag is curious before the two meet each other, but as they begin to talk more and more, he views life with a different perspective.

Reorder your sentences (S-T-Q-C):
Montag is curious and questions many things at the beginning of the book, but then the way he thinks suddenly changes after he meets Clarisse.  If he doesn’t begin to think from a fresh and completely different way, then how does Clarisse actually shift his thinking and development?  Clarisse simply introduces Montag to unmask his perspective, as he now understands that the world he’s been living in and calling “happy,” isn’t so “happy” after all, as well as the fact that he now thinks deeper and begins to realize and understand that he doesn’t know much about his relationship with Mildred, or even the one he formed with himself.

Stage 4: Exploratory Draft

Stage 4: Exploratory Draft

            I am interested in writing about Montag’s development because I want to understand why it is that he suddenly changes how he thinks.  One way to consider this might be through his conversations with Clarisse, and comprehending with the fact that Montag was curious before he met her, but also figuring out the affect she had on his life. It’s troubling to understand the kind of influence and effect that Clarisse brought upon Montag.  Montag begins to really wonder about everything that Clarisse questions him about.  For instance, she asks him if he’s happy.  At first, he begins to convince himself that he obviously is happy in life.  Besides this, she also asks him where and when he met his wife, Mildred, but Montag doesn’t seem to remember.  He ends up going home and asking Mildred the same question, although she doesn’t remember either.  These two questions really get Montag thinking about himself.  Although this isn’t the first time he becomes questioning, it’s the first time he takes a different approach to his curiosity.  This is almost as if it’s only been a couple of weeks talking to Clarisse and he’s already been “manipulated” to think in a unlike way.   First paragraph Montag’s thinking early on in the book and then question; what happened?

            Along with the way Clarisse makes Montag think, she also makes him feel a certain way, a way he normally wouldn’t feel.  For instance, Montag tells Clarisse how she makes him feel like a father, since he seems so passionate and caring towards her.  Because of this, Clarisse questions Montag why he doesn’t have any kids if he feels this way, and again, he doesn’t know how to answer.  “Now you explain,” she said, “why you haven’t any daughters like me, if you love children so much?” (Bradbury, 28)  It’s significant how Montag feels this way because it really shows the kind of relationship he has built with a seventeen-year old girl, who he thinks of as his daughter.  According to the Oxford English Dictionary, to “love” something means to have “an instance of affection or fondness” towards the person or even object.  In addition, Montag begins to believe as though Clarisse is much older than his thirty-year old wife.  Second paragraph mention Clarisse, even though Montag was still curious before he met her.  Troubling how she actually changed him.

            Lastly, Clarisse even opens Montag up to trying something different and “out of the ordinary” by his means of living.  She expresses to him how great it is to be able to walk outside in the rain, as well as taste the rain.  Not only does the OXE express rain as “condensed moisture of the atmosphere falling to the ground visibly in separate drops,” but the same word can be used as a phrase to mean “[having an] adequate common sense or intelligence.”  It may have been that Clarisse was trying to prove to Montag that he’s overthinking his life, and that he’s definitely missing out on some of the best things in the world.  She decides to compare the taste of rain to wine, which is a very odd association.  Clarisse definitely ended up convincing Montag with this analogy to experience the rain falling into his mouth, as “…he tilted his head back in the rain, just for a few moments, and opened his mouth.” (Bradbury, 24)  Claim to look at Clarisse’s impact in a different way.

            

Stage 3: Text Explorations (Wordcount: 1,712)

Stage 3: Text Explorations

Context: Before Clarisse asks Montag if he’s happy, the two were walking home and just getting to know each other.  Although this is the first time they’ve met, Clarisse already begins to question Montag about his life as a fireman, almost as if she’s known exactly who he is for a while now.  Some questions become personal, such as “Are you happy?” and others more about his job.  After Clarisse asks Montag this question, he continues on his way home convincing himself that he is happy.  I chose this scene of the book because I believe it’s one of the most important questions that are brought up, as well as it really shows that Montag isn’t living his virtually “happy” life.

"Are you happy¹?" she said. "Am I what?" he cried.
But she was gone—running² in the moonlight³. Her front door shut gently⁴.
"Happy! Of all the nonsense⁵."
He stopped⁶ laughing.

1: Word Definition/Connection: The Oxford English Dictionary defines “happy” as a “feeling or showing a deep sense of pleasure or contentment, esp. arising from satisfaction with one's circumstances or condition.”  The word “happy” connects greatly to the moment where Beatty begins to manipulate Montag into believing that firemen keep the people happy, as they protect everyone from the conflicting theories that books bring out. (Pg. 62)  Is Beatty right?

2: Word Definition/Wording/Figurative Language: Not only does the word “running” simply mean “a movement using the legs and related senses,” but the OXE also suggests that this word can mean an “action of moving rapidly with hostile intent.”  It’s quite interesting how Bradbury adds a word with this negative undertone.  The word “running” in this case may mean the movement of legs, but why would he use this word if it can also mean to move quickly with a malicious purpose?  Is Bradbury trying to create the image of Clarisse “running in the moonlight” to get away from Montag?

3: Word Definition/Connection: The word “moonlight” is defined as “the light of the moon; the moon's radiance.”  I’ve noticed that Bradbury also mentions the word “moonlit” when Montag first encounters Clarisse (Pg. 5) and here again, he depicts her as “running in the moonlight.”

4: Word Definition/Connection/Syntax: When something is done “gently,” it is meant to be done “in a quiet, moderate, or subdued fashion; slowly, softly.”  In addition to how Bradbury describes Clarisse as “pale” and “white,” he expresses her face as “slender and milk-white, and it in was a kind of gentle hunger that touched over everything with tireless curiosity.” (Pg. 5)  The author seems to repeat this idea of “white” and “gentle” when he portrays descriptions of Clarisse.

5: Word Definition/Wording: The word “nonsense” refers to “a ridiculous notion or idea.”  When Clarisse questions Montag about his happiness, he thinks of it as such “nonsense.”  He believes he is happy and at first, tries to convince himself that he is, but then later realizes that he isn’t. 

6: Word Definition: When something has been “stopped,” it means that it has been “cease[d]; brought to a standstill; barred from further progress or action.”  The question that Clarisse proposes to Montag seems to suddenly change his attitude.  He stops laughing and really thinks about his happiness.

Context: Before Montag expresses his feelings he mentions to Clarisse that he feels as if he’s known her so many years.  After she questions him why he doesn’t have a daughter, he begins to really think why he doesn’t.  He ends up saying that its because his wife, Mildred, never really wanted kids at all.  Clarisse saw how disappointed it made Montag feel, so she ended up changing the conversation to old leaves and how they smell just like cinnamon.  I chose this moment because it really stood out to me.  She even told him how he always seems shocked.  I suppose she was trying to encourage Montag to try new things in his life.

"You make me feel¹ very old and very much like a father²."
"Now you explain," she said, "why you haven't any daughters like me, if you love³ children so much?"
"I don't know."

1: Word Definition/Wording: According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word, “feel” means to have a “feeling or sensation, [it could be] mental or physical.”  I think it’s very significant how Montag feels like a father to Clarisse.  Is it because she makes him frustrated, yet still he’s glad that she’s there to always talk and question him?  Montag seems to get irritated at times from the questions she asks, but he still tells her that they are “good questions” because “it’s been a long time since anyone cared enough to ask.” (Pg. 29) 

2: Word Definition/Trouble/Connection: The “father” is the male parent.  It’s fascinating to think that Clarisse acts like she’s actually Montag’s daughter.  It troubles me to think how exactly she makes him feel like this?  He doesn’t have a daughter, but loves Clarisse so much – almost as if she’s his real daughter.  Clarisse also makes Montag feel as if Clarisse is older than his 30-year old wife. (Pg. 23)  Could it be because he thinks Clarisse acts more mature and sophisticated for her age, while Mildred doesn’t have a job and watches T.V. all day?

3: Word Definition/Trouble/Wording/Connection: To love means to have “an instance of affection or fondness [for a person, or even anything].”  It’s troubling because Montag doesn’t seem to love any child other than Clarisse.  If this is so, then why does Clarisse word her question like this?  She’s the only young girl Montag talks to, but she thinks that he if he loves “children” then he should have a daughter like her.  Really, the only other people Montag converses with are Mildred, Granger, Beatty, and Faber. 

This connects to the moment when Clarisse pretty much commands that Montag isn’t in love with anyone.  Montag believes he has this “instance of affection or fondness” for Mildred, but later understands that there is no real “love” between them. (Pg. 22)  Neither of the two remembers when or how they met.  When he asks Mildred this question, her reply is “I don’t know.” (Pg. 43) 

Montag and Mildred tend to have similar characteristics.  Both answer with an “I don’t know” when the question concerns love.  Montag doesn’t seem to know why him and Mildred don’t have kids, and Mildred doesn’t seem to know when she met Montag.  Why is it that they both don’t know something of such an important topic?  Do they really care or have they ever thought of kids and/or when they met.

Context: Before Clarisse starts describing how the taste of rain feels to her, she claims that “rain feels good.”  She thinks that Montag would enjoy walking in the rain just like she does.  After Clarisse leaves to her psychiatrist, Montag decides to tilt his head backward and taste the rain. I believe that this is a key part of Clarisse’s impact on Montag’s life.  It is showing how he tries to experience all the good stuff that she does.  He must think he’s missing out since he’s never tasted rain.

“…I like to put my head back, like this, and let the rain¹ fall² in my mouth³.  It tastes⁴ just like wine⁵. Have you ever tried it?”

And then, very slowly, as he walked, he tilted his head back in the rain, just for a few moments⁶, and opened his mouth…

1: Word Definition: Not only does the OXE express rain as “condensed moisture of the atmosphere falling to the ground visibly in separate drops,” but this same word can be used as a phrase to mean “[having an] adequate common sense or intelligence.”  Did Clarisse think that Montag was too focused and attached to burning houses and books that he wasn’t able see the simplest of things, or as a matter of fact, do the simplest of things?  She finds out that he’s never tasted rain in his life, whereas she tastes the rain as an “instinct.”

2: Word Definition: When rain falls, it is coming down to Earth at one time or in a certain period.  Clarisse is allowing these raindrops to fall from the sky into her mouth, thinking that they taste like wine.

3: Word Definition/Connection: The mouth is “considered as the receptacle of food or with reference to swallowing, eating, [and] the function of taste.”  Throughout Fahrenheit 451 body parts such as the mouth, hands, and legs are repeatedly mentioned.  All three of these body parts, in a sense, aren’t able to accomplish a task.  Montag can’t control his hands.  This is as if his hands and himself are completely two different things.  In addition, he can’t seem to feel and move his leg. (Pg. 104)  Lastly, in this quote, Montag hasn’t been open to the feeling of opening his mouth and tasting the rain.  In all three examples, Montag doesn’t have the ability to control or do something with a part of his body, whether it is his mouth, his feet, or his hands.

4: Word Definition/Wording: What does it mean when you “taste” something?  Well, the noun “taste” means “the faculty or sense by… the organs of which are situated chiefly in the mouth.”  It’s interesting how Clarisse associates rain and taste.  We know that rain, and water in general, don’t have a taste.  So why does Clarisse connect the two?

5: Word Definition/Figurative Language: Wine is the “[brewed] juice of the grape used as a beverage.”  Bradbury uses figurative language when he compares the taste of rain and wine.  He creates a simile.  Clarisse expresses the taste of wine as like the taste of rain – weird? 

6: Word Definition: A “moment” is a very short period of time.  The Oxford English Dictionary suggests that a moment is “one too brief for its duration to be significant.”  But Clarisse emphasizes how great it is to be able to tilt your head backwards and taste the rain.  If this is such a memorable moment for her, then why does Bradbury say that Montag tilts his head back to taste the wine-like rain only for a moment?  Shouldn’t this be thought of as something memorable, and not just a “moment?”

Stage 1: Topic List

Stage 1: Topic List

• Clarisse's impact on Montag's life
• Montag's relationship between him and Mildred 
• Mildred's "addiction" towards technology
• Difference between the society we live in and the society Montag lives in. Which kind of society is considered "better" or which one is considered "worse?
• Development of Montag's thoughts
• Montag's interactions with the Mechanical Hound

Reflection (Word Count: 275)

     For the past couple of days, we have looked at certain parts of the book Fahrenheit 451.  We learned how to close read a text in many different ways.  Some ways to close read a text are to look at the book's cultural and historical background, its author and genre, word choice, figurative language, and symbolism.  In my opinion, the most helpful way was through symbolism.  We process symbols as those that we know are obviously connected in any way.  We can see the association, even if it isn't actually there.  For instance, we talked in class about how when we think of a rose, we link it to love. There is disparity, or no real connection, but we supply this association.
     Symbolism is very similar to foiling, which is when you have two characters that share similarities, but the differences that diverge them emphasize other qualities in them.  In a similar but more shortened way, a symbol represents something larger.  As discussed in class, symbols can come from culture or religion, personal or familiar things, and well as those that are found in a text.  We focused mainly on the symbols that are brought up in texts such as those Ray Bradbury creates in his book, Fahrenheit 451.  Symbols in text are usually described figuratively or directly.  When an author uses a figurative symbol, he/she are putting the symbol and object right by each other.  It is clearly stated.  On the other hand, when an author uses a direct symbol, the symbol is not right next the object, nor is it clearly stated.  In this case, we would have to infer what symbolizes what.

Tree Map of Klosterman's Argument

Introduction: 1st draft (Wordcount: 534)

In Malcolm’s autobiography, he first goes about the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam, which teach him to believe that the white man was the “devil,” and the enemy of the black men.  Mr. Muhammad’s teachings greatly stress how history has been “whitened” to the point that when white men had written history books, the black men are left out.  Malcolm begins to wonder the truth about the black man’s role, and as he serves his time in prison, he opens himself to stories of various nations that help him see how the whole world’s white men did, in fact, act like devils. “Book after book showed me how the white man had brought upon the world’s black, brown, red, and yellow peoples every variety of the sufferings of exploitation,” he says. (page 203)

            You would suppose that one of today’s greatest leaders has his/her mind set on a particular goal that they would like to accomplish, as well as one that they can stay dedicated to.  To be more precise, one would assume that if Malcolm were to become a successful leader, his beliefs towards religion and the white race shouldn’t alter drastically.  However, Malcolm’s beliefs change in chapter seventeen, after he visits the city of Mecca.  It’s strange that all it took to change his mind was to see how the Muslim world wasn’t affected by race.  They were all kind to one another.  Malcolm starts to understand that these white men were completely different from those who lived in America.  He explains that his new Muslim friends accept him like a brother.  “Love, humility, and true brotherhood was almost a physical feeling wherever I turned.” (page 374)  For that reason, if we assume that a modern-day leader has his/her mind set on one particular goal to accomplish for their group of people, but Malcolm seems to have a sudden change in his belief, then how well would he do as a leader?  This may help us understand whether his new ideas towards the white men are a sign of him being conscious of the world he lives in, or that he can't stick to one belief.

            One way to consider this is that Malcolm is very aware of what's happening around him, and decides to "dig deep" to uncover what isn't known about the black man's role.  He explores through Will Durant’s Story of Civilization, which opens him to the early Negro struggles for freedom.  In addition, after reading about slavery’s total horror, Malcolm is in complete shock of what the suffering slaves have went through in the United States.  “Over 115 million African blacks—close to the 1930’s population of the United States—were murdered or enslaved during the slave trade.” (page 204)  Lastly, he isn’t afraid to tell the public what he believes should be known, with such eagerness and pride.  Malcolm breaks one of Elijah Muhammad’s orders.  “Every minister was ordered to make no remarks at all concerning the assassination.” (page 346)  Breaking this command, he decides to speak his mind and say what he honestly felt.  Therefore, through Malcolm’s attitude, many may believe that since he takes control, he would become a thriving leader.