Captain Beatty Character Analysis

For every protagonist, there is an antagonist lurking around the corner. They are viewed as vicious, evil people or concepts going out of their way to sabotage the main character. This does not pertain to some antagonists, but in this case, the stereotype holds true. Montag does seem to star in the song I Am My Own Worst Enemy by Lit, but Captain Beatty’s wrongdoings overrule, showcasing him as the prominent bad guy. Captain Beatty is the main antagonist of Fahrenheit 451, because of his occupation, his chosen ignorance, and his representation of society. Captain Beatty is a fireman. Firemen used to put out fires, but after every house became fireproof, they act as the government’s official censor to prohibit literary works. This transition is known because of Beatty’s lecture to Montag, including the quote, “They (firemen) were given a new job, as custodians of our peace of mind, the focus of our understandable and rightful dread to be inferior.” (Bradbury 56) This also explains the need for firemen. Society and it’s inhabitants wanted to be equal to everyone else. Which lead to everything

As the old saying goes “ignorance is bliss.” Although he has a known stance against books, being the captain of the firemen, he is often seen quoting books. His character is a paradox. He has presumably read books, known by the quote “At least once in his career, every fireman gets an itch, What do the books say, he wonders.” (Bradbury 59) He is admitting to having felt the itch himself since every fireman has. It is possible that he enjoyed the books, but is trying to trick himself because of his title. If he really was against books, he wouldn’t have been able to quote multiple, he would have stopped at one. Yet he still consciously chooses ignorance, the opposite to Montag’s knowledge. This further proves Captain Beatty’s position as the