Next, Montag and his teacher/mentor,
Faber, construct a loose plan of action. Montag gives Faber some cash to purchase a printing press
from an old college friend of the old man. Also, Montag decides to start planting books in other
firemen's homes so that they will be burned. "The salamander devours his tail!" Faber exclaims,
now grown excited at the prospect of the plan's success. Most importantly, Faber gives Montag
a "seashell" listening device that he's invented. Faber instructs Montag to put this instrument
into his ear so that he can receive instructions from his teacher. In this way, he can speak for
Montag without actually having to confront others (i.e. Beatty) directly. Faber explains, "I can
sit comfortably home, warming my frightened bones, and hear and analyze the firemen's world, find its
weaknesses, without danger."
At home, Montag finds his wife entertaining women guests who have come to watch her parlor family.
Montag, now inspired by his conversation with Faber, realizes now more than ever that he has nothing
in common with these women, who live their lives according to what's on television, not by what's in
their hearts or minds. One of these ladies even complains about having to put up with her children
during the three days that they come home every month (The other days are spent in state-run day care,
learning how to be a robot no doubt).
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