Wednesday, March 16, 2016

why does granger trust montag

Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 ends Montag’s career as a fireman as he is forced to burn down his own house and library, and suddenly turns the flamethrower on his boss, Captain Beatty. While fleeing the scene of the crime, the chase is broadcasted, and the police attempts to use the help of nosy neighbors to locate and track Montag’s movements. Granger and his band of books are watching the chase on their portable television set, and are aware that Montag’s crimes are not unlike their own. Granger admits to Montag later that he struck a fireman when they came to burn his library, and Granger has been on the run ever since. Montag’s offense is far greater, and perhaps proves to Granger his dedication to the cause for which they’re fighting.
When Montag is welcomed to the comforting fire they share as they watch the conclusion of the chase, he is disgusted by their use of a scapegoat to cover up the fact that they lost him. Granger watches his reaction and asks Montag if he has anything to contribute to the group. When he is able to include Ecclesiastes, Granger assures him that this makes Montag a very important individual, reinforcing their library of classics they are trying to preserve. Like the disciples of Christ, Montag is willing to leave everything behind for this great cause, and this commitment is clearly appreciated by the entire group.
In short, Montag’s clear protest against the government, his disgust at their manipulation, and his commitment to the literature he knows induct him into this wandering group of luminaries, just in time for the entire city to go up in smoke behind them.


In part 3, Montag asks Granger why he trusts him. In response, Granger says,

The look of you's enough. You haven't seen yourself in a mirror lately.

In other words, Granger trusts Montag because he can tell from Montag's physical appearance that, although he was once a fireman, his departure from the city was genuine. Granger knows, for example, that Montag had become a public enemy. The chase from the Mechanical Hound was real and Montag's life was in serious danger. Otherwise, why would a man allow himself to get into such a bad physical state?
In addition, Granger, perhaps trusts Montag because of his willingness to join the group. Having memorized the Book of Ecclesiastes, Montag demonstrates his commitment to destroying censorship and joining the book lovers as they wait for their moment to share the lost knowledge.
Granger, therefore, considers Montag to be an ally in this time of uncertainty.

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