58 THE FAITHFUL READER These two witnesses initiate a cascade of events that lead Montag away from his previously comfortable but empty life. No longer satisfied with shallow reality that catered only to his immediate and superficial needs, Montag seeks meaning. Fleeing for his life, he escapes the city to wander anonymously among bums and outcasts. It is here that he meets Granger. Prior to the mandated burning of books, Granger was an author. He introduces Montag to other outcasts: a professor, a philosopher, and a pastor. These and many others form a wandering community that memorizes books and passes their knowledge on to others. They bear messages that will be needed to rebuild a broken world when it is ready to listen. Message Bearers Fahrenheit 451 has all the elements common to dystopian stories. Something is seriously wrong with the world. Practically alone, the protagonist comes to the realization that something needs to change and embarks upon a journey, liberating himself and others from the soul-destroying system in which they are caught. What distinguishes Bradbury’s story from others is the juxtaposition of Montag’s heroic efforts with the simple, quiet, faithful lives of the witnesses. The witnesses live out the reality of what they believe, regardless of the consequences. For Clarisse it is a childlike, naive faith. For the immolated woman it is the hopelessness of life without the truth. For the enclave of individuals who had memorized books, it is the knowledge that the message they carried would one day be needed. Fahrenheit 451 was written to address the tragedy of a thoughtless life and the role of censorship in the process. Despite Bradbury’s eclectic view of religion, this novel acts as a parable illustrating II Corinthians 4:7, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” Bradbury’s treasure was the creative thoughts of mankind throughout the ages, but our treasure is far superior. It is the Word of God which has the power to save those who believe. The value of witnesses is not inherent in themselves, but in the message they bear, a message that must be proclaimed to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:19-20).
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