In Part 1, when the firemen go to burn down the old woman's house, she says, "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." This quote reportedly comes from Hugh Latimer, a martyr in 16th Century England. Under the orders of Queen Mary, Latimer, along with Master Ridley, was burned at the stake after refusing to pledge...
In Part 1, when the firemen go to burn down the old woman's house, she says, "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." This quote reportedly comes from Hugh Latimer, a martyr in 16th Century England. Under the orders of Queen Mary, Latimer, along with Master Ridley, was burned at the stake after refusing to pledge loyalty to the pope and the Roman Catholic Church.
This historical allusion relates to the idea that through her martyrdom, the woman could provide a light for those who did not believe in the firemen's way of being. In fact, Montag somewhat confirms her hopes when, later in the chapter, says, "[M]en like Beatty are afraid of her. I can't understand it. Why should they be so afraid of someone like her?"
In addition, her martyrdom inspires Montag to steal a book from her home. While the reader later finds out he's stolen many books, he hasn't read any of them. Instead, he has hidden them away in his walls. However, the old woman's martyrdom in the name of her books inspires Montag to actually sit and start reading them.
The passage he reads at the end is another allusion, this one from Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels: "It is computed that eleven thousand persons have at several times suffered death rather than submit to break eggs at the smaller end." Again, like the woman who quoted Latimer, this passage reinforces the idea that dying for something is worthwhile.
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