“They crashed the front door and grabbed at a woman, though she was not running, she was not trying to escape. She was only standing, weaving from side to side, her eyes fixed upon a nothingness in the wall as if they had struck her a terrible blow upon the head. Her tongue was moving in her mouth, and her eyes seemed to be trying to remember something, and then they remembered and her tongue moved again: "Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.”
Explore This Quote Further
Quote Analysis
In this quote from Ray Bradbury's novel "Fahrenheit 451," the woman who is not trying to escape the firefighters grabs their attention with her mesmerizing behavior. She stands still, seemingly in a trance, reciting the words of historical figure Hugh Latimer as he is being burned at the stake. This quote serves as a powerful reflection on the importance of standing up for one's beliefs, even in the face of danger and adversity. It highlights the courage and conviction needed to resist conformity and oppression, as well as the potential for light and hope to emerge from darkness.
Modern Relevance
In this powerful quote from Ray Bradbury's novel, a woman invokes the courage and resilience of martyr Hugh Latimer, who was burned at the stake for his beliefs during the English Reformation. This quote serves as a reminder of the strength and defiance in the face of adversity. Even in the modern world, where individuals may face oppression and injustice, the words of Master Ridley resonate, urging people to stand up for what they believe in and to never let the flames of resistance be extinguished.
Usage Example
In Ray Bradbury's novel, the character portrays a sense of strength and resilience in the face of adversity, reciting powerful words even during a terrifying moment.
Reflection Questions:
As you think about this powerful and intense scene from Ray Bradbury's writing, consider the following questions:
- What emotions does this passage evoke for you?
- How does the author use imagery and language to convey the woman's state of mind?
- What significance do you think the quoted phrase holds in this context?
- How does this scene relate to themes of resistance, bravery, and determination?
- In what ways does this passage challenge or reinforce your beliefs about standing up for your convictions or beliefs?
Similar quotes
“Goodnight!" She started her walk. Then she seemed to remember something and came back to look at him with wonder and curiosity. "Are you happy?" she said?"Am I what?" he cried.But she was gone - running in the moonlight. Her Front door shut gently.”
“A long time back, she thought, I dreamed a dream, and was enjoying it so much when someone wakened me, and that day I was born. And now? Now, let me see...She cast her mind back. Where was I? she thought. Ninety years...how to take up the thread and the pattern of that lost dream again? She put out a small hand. There...yes, that was it. She smiled. Deeper in the warm snow hill she turned her head upon her pillow. That was better. Now, yes, now she saw it shaping in her mind quietly, and with a serenity like a sea moving along an endless and self-refreshing shore. Now she let the old dream touch and lift her from the snow and drift her above the scarce-remembered bed.”
“Be of good comfort, Mr. Ridley, and play the man: We shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust never shall be put out.”
“Are you happy?" she [Clarisse] said. "Am I what?" he [Montag] cried. But she was gone- running in the moonlight. Her front door shut gently.”
“Why love the woman who is your wife? Her nose breathes in the air of a world that I know; therefore I love that nose. Her ears hear music I might sing half the night through; therefore I love her ears. Her eyes delight in seasons of the land; and so I love those eyes. Her tongue knows quince, peach, chokeberry, mint and lime; I love to hear it speaking. Because her flesh knows heat, cold, affliction, I know fire, snow, and pain. Shared and once again shared experience.”
“Why love the boy in a March field with his kite braving the sky? Because our fingers burn with the hot string singeing our hands. Why love some girl viewed from a train bent to a country well? The tongue remembers iron water cool on some long lost noon. Why weep at strangers dead by the road? They resemble friends unseen in forty years. Why laugh when clowns are hot by pies? We taste custard we taste life. Why love the woman who is your wife? Her nose breathes the air of a world that I know; therefore I love that nose. Her ears hear music I might sing half the night through; therefore I love her ears. Her eyes delight in seasons of the land; and so I love those eyes. Her tongue knows quince, peach, chokeberry, mint and lime; I love to hear it speaking. Because her flesh knows heat, cold, affliction, I know fire, snow, and pain. Shared and once again shared experience. Billions of prickling textures. Cut one sense away, cut part of life away. Cut two senses; life halves itself on the instant. We love what we know, we love what we are. Common cause, common cause, common cause of mouth, eye, ear, tongue, hand, nose, flesh, heart, and soul.”