Fahrenheit 451: The Heath and the Salamander

The first section of this novel is called The Heath and the Salamander. A heath is commonly known as a fireplace, and in ancient mythology the salamander was thought to have been born and lived in flame. The first part of the novel is the section that causes Guy to question what he is doing and to realize the fallacy of his ways. Guy Montag is a fireman whose job is to burn any illegal books that they find. On his way home one day he meets a new neighbor Clarisse. She talks to him about why he is a fireman and whether or not he is truly happy which frightens him. He spends the next few days thinking about the answer and talks to her on his way home several times, until one day she disappears. He continues to work for a while until one day when the firemen encounter an elderly woman hoarding books. She self-immolates herself after the firemen douse the house in kerosene and this event shocks Montag who calls in sick the next day. Before the woman burned herself he found a copy of the Holy Bible which he takes and hides. Captain Beatty, Montag's captain arrives at his house the next day to talk to him. The conversation reveals Beatty's questionable sanity and after he leaves Montag reveals to his wife his stash of books that he has been taking in over the months. She is frightened by these and does not want them in the house. The book ends with another visitor coming to the door but neither of the two Montag's answer the door and it is later revealed to be the mechanical hound, a robot used to execute people who break the law. It is hinted at the dog was programmed to hunt down and kill Montag. The hound leaves without incident and both Guy and his wife go on reading, albeit she is very reluctant to be reading and would rather be watching the television.