Sparks Notes - Fahrenheit 451
My review of the study guide section "analysis of major characters" found two items that I wanted to share here:
a) The analysis of Guy Montag's character, specifically --
In his desperate quest to define and comprehend his own life and purpose by means of books, he blunders blindly and stupidly as often as he thinks and acts lucidly. His attempts to reclaim his own humanity range from the compassionate and sensitive, as in his conversations with Clarisse, to the grotesque and irresponsible, as in his murder of Beatty and his half-baked scheme to overthrow the firemen.
This is far too subjective a viewpoint, the study guide errs in applying contemporary social mores to a situation. This is something to watch for, firstly opinion dressed up as fact and secondly, subjective assumptions.
Opinion dressed up as fact --
The study guide forces the reader to think in the same way as the author(s). Certainly, at times, Montag appears irrational, but we have to consider that his entire life is collapsing around him, everything that he believed in is being called into question: he finally realizes that he has no idea why he is still with his wife, maybe he does in fact love her, exemplified by his desire for her to share his epiphany by reading the books he has cached secretly; he questions Captain Beatty about why they burn books, whereas previously, and in the opening paragraph, 'it was a pleasure to burn'; he decides that one method to institute change is to place books in every fireman's home, a somewhat idealistic position to take. However, the reader should determine for themselves what Montag is really up to, a personal viewpoint speaks volumes in essays.
Subjective assumptions --
Exactly why are Montag's acts 'grotesque and irresponsible, as in his murder of Beatty and his half-baked scheme to overthrow the firemen.' ? Are they grotesque and irresponsible from the standpoint of today's society (the ends justifying the means), from the standpoint of when the book was first written (the society of the late 1950s) or from the standpoint of the world described by Bradbury within the novel. Readers should think freely, and decide as to which standpoint is their preferred take on the character.
b) The character of Clarisse McClellan is pivotal in setting Montag off on his journey that ultimately leads to his manhunt and escape from the city. There is no in depth analysis of this character and I would suggest that she is at least as important as the character of Professor Faber.
(I originally posted this on the Sparks Notes site)
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How useful are study guides when trying to appreciate / understand a book? Are they merely a quick way for students to avoid having to read the book? Should students try to read their set texts?