Student Question

On what page in Fahrenheit 451 is Christ described as only used for commercial purposes?

Quick answer:

In the Simon & Schuster edition of Fahrenheit 451, Christ is described as being used for commercial purposes on page 77. In Part Two: "The Sieve and the Sand," Faber tells Montag that the media portrays Christ as a caricature to advertise products, turning him into "one of the 'family'" in the parlors.

Expert Answers

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In Part Two: "The Sieve and the Sand," on page 77 of the Simon & Schuster edition of Fahrenheit 451, Christ is described as being only used for commercial purposes. During a conversation between Montag and Faber, Faber notices that Montag is holding a copy of the Holy Bible. Faber looks at in wonder and asks to hold it. While Faber is holding the Bible, he mentions that it has been a long time since he's seen or held one. Faber comments that they've changed Christianity in the parlors, and he says that Christ is "one of the 'family' now" (Bradbury 77). Faber wonders if God even recognizes his Son because of the way the media has portrayed Jesus Christ. He tells Montag that the media portrays Christ to be a caricature, covered in sugar and candy, that advertises various commercial products. In Bradbury's dystopian society, the media has taken Christianity's Savior and used his image to market products to the public.

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