Fahrenheit 451 1966 quotes

How did it come about? What made it begin? What made you want to do – How could someone like you be doing this kind of work? I know everyone says that, but you! You're not like them. When I say something to you, you look at me. Why did you choose this job? For you it doesn't seem to make any sense.

What does Montag do with his day off duty?

Guy Montag

Not very much, sir. Mow the lawn.

And what if the law forbids that?

Guy Montag

Just watch it grow, sir.

Clarisse

Is it true that a long time ago, firemen used to put out fires and not burn books?

Guy Montag

Really, your uncle is right, you are light in the head. Put fires out? Who told you that?

Clarisse

Oh, I don't know. Someone. But is it true did it?

Montag

Oh, what a strange idea. Houses have always been fireproof.

Clarisse

Ours isn't

Guy Montag

Well, then, it should be condemned one of these days. It has to be destroyed, and you will have to move to a house that is fireproof.

Clarisse

Why?

Guy Montag

What?

Clarisse

How did it come about? What made it begin? What made you want to do – How could someone like you be doing this kind of work? I know everyone says that, but you! You're not like them. When I say something to you, you look at me. Why did you choose this job? For you it doesn't seem to make any sense.

Clarisse

You don't like the books then?

Guy Montag

Do you like the rain?

Clarisse

Yes, I adore it.

Guy Montag

Do you remember what you asked me the other day? If I ever read the books I burn? Remember?

Clarisse

Uh-huh.

Guy Montag

Last night I read one.
About Fahrenheit 451 (film)[edit]

Guy Montag

Hasn't this uncle of yours ever warned you never to speak to strangers?

Clarisse

No. He did say once if anyone asked how old I was to say I was 20 and light in the head. They always go together.

Guy Montag

Light in the head?

Clarisse

Mm-hmm. Loopy. Crazy. Anyway, you don't frighten me.

Montag

Why should I?

Clarisse

No reason really. The uniform, I suppose.

Guy Montag

Well then it wasn't the analyst. It was the staff that wanted to get rid of you because you are different. Look at that fellow over there.

Clarisse

What's he doing?

Guy Montag

That's the information box. He can't make up his mind.

Clarisse

What's he want to find out?

Guy Montag

He doesn't want to find out anything. He knows someone who has books. So he got hold of the person's picture and number, and is going to drop it into that box.

Clarisse

But he's an informer!

Guy Montag

No, he's an informant. Look at him. Like someone circling around a woman.

Clarisse

He's putting something in his mouth.

Guy Montag

It's a stimulant to work up his nerve.

Did you see that? Cousin Claudette's got a bouffant tonight.

Guy Montag

Who?

Cousin Claudette.

Guy Montag

Who is Cousin Claudette?

The cousin announcer, the one you don't like.

Guy Montag

I don't like any of them.

Guy Montag

Book paper actually combusts at 450 degrees celsius, but Ray Bradbury (the author of the book this movie was based upon) thought fahrenheit sounded more powerful. Book paper catches fire at 842 degrees fahrenheit.

Guy Montag

Fahrenheit four-five-one is the temperature at which book paper catches fire and starts to burn.

Guy Montag

You spend your whole life in front of that family wall. These books are my family. When did we first meet? And where?