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Cara
Oh goodness. If only I could put all my thoughts down in this one little box. Beatty is such a complex character, how could I resist exploring a bunch of different ideas on him? I for one, believe that Captain Beatty owns and has read his fair share of books. And by "fair share," I mean hundreds. That's the only way I know of to keep these quotes on the top of his mind. But you of course, have probably already come to this conclusion.
It's obvious Beatty is quite a vain man. The way he talks to Montag, his firemen, and the victims of his fire, it shows just how large of an ego he has. I believe he has a warped sense about the book he read. A sort of "I can handle reading, but you certainly can't" kind of attitude.
However, another completely different take on it could link into his past, which we know so dear little about.
I was actually just recently in a teen production of "Fahrenheit 451," which was a little different than the book and provided more of a backstory to Beatty, who I was cast as. Of course, being a teenage girl, we switched up the gender of the Fire Captain. (Surprisingly enough, the transition was almost too good to be true.) He graces vaguely over the people he lost, and states to Montag that he did once read book after book
The way I interpreted the role, it seemed as if he blamed the books for being the reason he lost his family and friends. Basically, the books he once loved are now the fuel for his hate. Maybe he remembers the words from so long ago that used to be the reason he stayed up late at night, thinking and dreaming, but now only bring a reminder of what he lost. Maybe, a long time ago, he might have been just the same as Clarisse. Maybe he sees himself in Montag, and shows him what he knows, hoping that maybe things can turn out differently for him.
Sorry if this is too lengthy, or doesn't answer your question, but I really do enjoy sharing my thoughts about Beatty!
It's obvious Beatty is quite a vain man. The way he talks to Montag, his firemen, and the victims of his fire, it shows just how large of an ego he has. I believe he has a warped sense about the book he read. A sort of "I can handle reading, but you certainly can't" kind of attitude.
However, another completely different take on it could link into his past, which we know so dear little about.
I was actually just recently in a teen production of "Fahrenheit 451," which was a little different than the book and provided more of a backstory to Beatty, who I was cast as. Of course, being a teenage girl, we switched up the gender of the Fire Captain. (Surprisingly enough, the transition was almost too good to be true.) He graces vaguely over the people he lost, and states to Montag that he did once read book after book
The way I interpreted the role, it seemed as if he blamed the books for being the reason he lost his family and friends. Basically, the books he once loved are now the fuel for his hate. Maybe he remembers the words from so long ago that used to be the reason he stayed up late at night, thinking and dreaming, but now only bring a reminder of what he lost. Maybe, a long time ago, he might have been just the same as Clarisse. Maybe he sees himself in Montag, and shows him what he knows, hoping that maybe things can turn out differently for him.
Sorry if this is too lengthy, or doesn't answer your question, but I really do enjoy sharing my thoughts about Beatty!
Dasha Slepenkina
The version of "Fahrenheit 451" that I read had some additional essays at the back of the book. One, written by Bradbury, actually confirms that Beatty was indeed a voracious reader in his youth and even owns a library (but reads none of the books!). However, he has become disillusioned with books during the course of his life and has become to see them as lies or empty promises which must be disposed of. There was an initial scene in which he actually shows Montag his library, but this scene was not included. So, while this backstory is missing from the final book, I think most likely it is still part of the character.
Katie
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Kaitlyn
In my English 2 class, we are analyzing Beatty's speech. The top of the page there is the same thing your saying, about him knowing so many quotes. I find this so revealing to his complex character, I had never expected that to come in this book.
Ester
Isn’t it interesting how in many books and films (and in real life) the very people telling others to not have or do something are the ones who have and do those things? I’m sure Beatty used his status as captain to keep his books right under the other firemen’s noses.
Thomas J Clark
There is a part in the book as Montag is on the run he is recalling the murder of Beatty. This allures to the fact that Beatty was indeed well read, but his view of books is skewed by his duty as a fire chief. I believe Beatty, when faced with his imminent death, is conflicted with an inner dichotomy. Outwardly he distrust the words in the books he’s read, but his inner self is screaming with guilt over the life he’s chosen. In the end, he welcomes death as a release from his subconscious struggles and as justice for his secret thoughts.
P.
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