Was it fitting for Montag to plant books in Fireman Black's home?

When Montag goes to Faber for help to understand books, Faber doesn't see the point because literacy is hated and illegal in their society. Montag suggests that the two of them actually start printing books again, and Faber says that wouldn't be possible unless society supported literacy. Faber also argues that if he were to start printing again, even without the support of the community, he would like to see something else happen first.

"The...

When Montag goes to Faber for help to understand books, Faber doesn't see the point because literacy is hated and illegal in their society. Montag suggests that the two of them actually start printing books again, and Faber says that wouldn't be possible unless society supported literacy. Faber also argues that if he were to start printing again, even without the support of the community, he would like to see something else happen first.

"The only way I could possibly listen to you would be if somehow the fireman structure itself could be burnt. Now if you suggest that we print extra books and arrange to have them hidden in firemen's houses all over the country, so that seeds of suspicion would be sown among these arsonists, bravo, I'd say!" (85).

This is where Montag gets the idea to plant books in firemen's houses. This act of sabotage would help to break down the structure and authority of firehouses. Since firehouses are the strong arm of the law, if people started to view the men running them as hypocrites, then the firemen would lose credibility in society. If the firemen lose credibility in society, then people would be less afraid of them as a whole. Then, if people weren't so afraid of the firemen, those who have books might be more inclined to come out of hiding and maybe literacy could come back again. Therefore, the point behind planting books in Mr. Black's house is that he is a fireman. He is one of the first to be on the receiving end of Faber and Montag's plan. This act is fitting because it is directly related to their plan. It is also ironic because no one would expect a fireman to have books and then be caught with them.