Question

In Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451," Beatty makes an allusion to Icarus from Greek Mythology when he says, "Old Montag wanted to fly near the sun and now that he’s burnt his wings, he wonders why" (113). What does Beatty mean when he says this? Explain the significance.

a) Beatty is comparing Montag's desire for knowledge to Icarus's desire to fly, warning about the consequences of pursuing forbidden knowledge.
b) Beatty is mocking Montag for his foolishness in challenging the authority and trying to gain knowledge.
c) Beatty is praising Montag for his courage to break free from the oppressive society.
d) Beatty is suggesting that Montag's pursuit of knowledge is insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

Answer 1

Beatty is comparing Montag's desire for knowledge to Icarus's desire to fly and the consequences of pursuing forbidden knowledge.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Beatty makes an allusion to Icarus in Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451", he is comparing Montag's pursuit of knowledge with Icarus's aspiration to fly. Beatty's statement, "Old Montag wanted to fly near the sun and now that he’s burnt his wings, he wonders why," implies that Montag, like Icarus, was seeking something forbidden—in this case, knowledge in a society that burns books and condemns learning. The accurate interpretation of Beatty's allusion is a) Beatty is comparing Montag's desire for knowledge to Icarus's desire to fly, warning about the consequences of pursuing forbidden knowledge. This comparison delivers a warning about the dangers of transgression, and in Montag's case, it's the danger of seeking enlightenment in an oppressive society that seeks to control information.