Final answer:
Captain Beatty lies to Montag about the history of books to manipulate him and maintain control over the firefighters and the society's values in the novel Fahrenheit 451.
Step-by-step explanation:
Deception in Literature
The character Captain Beatty in Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 is known for manipulating the protagonist, Montag, with falsehoods. One notable lie Beatty tells Montag is about the history of books and their subsequent banning, claiming that society willingly gave them up. This deception serves to maintain control over the firefighters and justify the book burning. Beatty's lies are a means to uphold the dystopian society's values and prevent Montag from seeking true knowledge.
In the context of the student's question on why Beatty lies, it is clear that these lies are a tactic to manipulate Montag's understanding of their world, and to deter him from the path of rebellion. Through these lies, Beatty aims to maintain the status quo and the power dynamics within the society, ensuring that items that could bring discord or encourage independent thought remain discarded and feared.