Page 37

"Books bombarded his shoulders, his arms, his upturned face.  A book lit, almost obediently, like a white pigeon, in his hands, wings fluttering. In the dim, wavering light, a page hung open and it was like a snowy feather, the words delicately painted thereon.  In all the rush and fervor, Montag had only an instant to read a line, but it blazed in his mind for the next minute as if it stamped there with fiery steel.  "Time has fallen asleep in the afternoon sunshine."  He dropped the book.  Immediately, another fell into his arms."

One of the reasons I love this passage is because of the comparison between the book and the white pigeon.  I've noticed that Bradbury compares opposites to engage and almost surprise the reader.  When you think of fire, you don't think of a pure, white pigeon.  Using these type of comparisons makes the reader think a little bit more.  You have to uncover the "top layer" of the words, and discover the meaning hidden between the lines.  I also find Bradbury's word choice very thought out.  Not one word is just "there on the page."  It has a specific reason and purpose.  For example, the sentence, "...but it blazed in his mind for the next minute as if it stamped there with fiery steel," demonstrates this technique.  The words "blazed" and "fiery steel" are used to create the vivid image in the reader's head.  It builds the intensity of the moment.  I think that's a good way to describe Bradbury's style.  He produces some of these unfamiliar words, and comparisons, and vivid descriptions to build constant intensity.