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1. 
   teacherscribe Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   Mildred refers to these people as her 'family.'  But Montag comes to realize how meaningless and mindless entertainment are blinding Mildred to the truth around them - that they aren't in love, that they don't have anything in common, that they don't have any passions outside of the TV world, that they are just mindlessly following along with everyone else, which is exactly what the government wants them to do.

   In "The Sieve and the Sand," Montag decides to begin reading the books he has stolen.  When Mildred becomes angry at this, Montag challenges her.  He asks her if she really realizes all that is going on in the world, or has she been too absorbed in her family?  he askes "'Is it because we're having so much fun at home we've forgotten the world?'"

   Then later in the final chapter, "Burning Bright," Montag goes so far as to turn off the 'family' while Mildred and three friends watch it.  Montag does this in disgust at what is on - mindless commercials, violent cartoons in which clowns chop up people, and a reality tv show where a car is shown running down pedestrians.  Montag has finally had enough.  This is a turning point for him because soon he outs himself to Mildred's friends by quoting poetry and challenging the ladies and their mindless beliefs.

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   Posted by teacherscribe on Monday November 24, 2008 at 10:59 AM
   
   

2. 
   turbostangs Student
   High School - 11th Grade

   Thanks Teacher! You have been a big help with these questions involving Fahrenheit 451!

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   Posted by turbostangs on Monday March 23, 2009 at 7:38 AM