The Result of Rebelliousness

Author's Note: This is a response to one of Mr. Johnson's discussions. It is also my understanding of Beatty's death, and its connection to some of the sub-themes in the novel Fahrenheit 451.


Rebelliousness is an act that is often difficult to execute, usually because of intimidation directed from the one being rebelled against. However, in the novel Fahrenheit 451, new heights had been reached, for Montag had finally gained enough visceral to kill Captain Beatty. A great sense of pride arrived in Montag shortly after his decision, yet quickly vanished due to an alarm of guilt inside him. Although Montag may have felt guilty and scared because of what he did, he still kept his mentality of courage, rebelliousness, and hatred deep inside of him, for that was what was needed to prevent Guy Montag from becoming insane.
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It seemed very surprising when Beatty died, yet at the same time it appeared to be coming eventually. In part, Montag also seemed surprised, and began to congratulate himself. For example, he thought of Beatty in his mind, “You always said, don’t face a problem, burn it. Well, now I’ve done both. Good-bye, Captain.” At this point he is full of hatred, an important sub-theme of the novel. Nevertheless, Guy later begins to worry, and a flood of guilt enters his psyche. He quickly goes through all of these thoughts that could happen, and then realizes that he has no idea where he is running. Many times, rebellions lead people into feelings of guilt. It is a common trend, one that Guy Montag dealt with toward the end the novel.
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Although Montag may have felt a great deal of guilt, it could also be conveieved that he felt little to no guilt at all, or at least until he started running away from the world. The sixth paragraph on page one hundred nineteen of Fahrenheit 451 is describing Montag’s emotions while burning Beatty. He begins to describe his body as a “jumping, sprawling gibbering mannikin” and then again as a “charred wax doll”. This proves that Montag feels there is no life in Beatty anymore and that he feels no sympathy towards him whatsoever.
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The death of Captain Beatty was a very significant event in the novel, for many reasons indeed. Beatty is comparable to the entire government, one of corrupted power, allowing only limited knowledge to the community. When he dies, it is analogous to if the government were being annihilated. In essence, one could say it is, for the entire power of the government had diminished, clueless as to what to do afterward. In addition, Guy’s self-esteem greatly increased after his murder, and realized what power he actually acquired. There becomes no doubt at all that Beatty’s death is the climax of the story, and the beginning of Montag’s new life.
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Hatred is a concept often difficult to fully grasp in the mind, yet can sometimes be converted into action, maybe for the good, or maybe for the bad. Others would waver either way, for there are different eyes of opinion in the world today. However, Guy Montag’s murder was completely directed from his hatred towards another man, and caused many emotions to be formed after the action. Guilt, relief, fear; so many feelings whirling around in Montag’s mind, possibly confusing him all the while. However, Montag may not have felt as much guilt as he did pride, for the death of Beatty, the one decreasing his power by limiting knowledge, came across to him as a historic accomplishment. For in the eyes of Montag, Beatty deserved to die, and that murder was his form of rebellion.