The character Clarisse in the novel Fahrenheit 451 had a very important role towards Montag’s gradual rebellion. She first appears in the novel late at night, simply taking a stroll. This in and of itself is strange, and once Montag begins to talk with her he realizes just how eccentric she is. In our society, she would not be perceived as bizarre, but in Montag’s culture just thinking, exploring, and generally being curious is a crime. Although meeting Clarisse jump started Montag’s journey, he may have been collecting books and having similar thoughts far before. She makes him think introspectively, and he begins to question his association to the firemen. Clarisse even unknowingly unearths the fact that Montag isn’t in love with his wife(19).
We can see that Clarisse is a huge part of the book in how Montag's reacts to events even after she dies, and even how she contributes to Montag unhappiness. Like for example in Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury writes “yes I am very much in love he tried to conjure up a face fit the words, but there was no face(22)” it clearly shows that this relates with the argument because in the book he starts to get a little nervous when she asked him is he in love and that can affect the way he thinks in the long run because of the problem he is having with his wife. A better part of the book where we see how Clarisse is affecting Montag point of view of stuff is when they first met and she asked him if he was happy and in Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury writes “happy of all the nonsense(10)” you can clearly see that this also relates to the argument because for the second time in the book she asked him a simple question and he has over thinked it or he has just responded with anger. The importance of this quote is to show the reader that how he can get distracted from his life when Clarice is around telling stuff to really think about.
One of the principal characteristics of a dystopian novel is the implementation of undesirable and horrifying conditions to its setting, and Fahrenheit 451’s society certainly has those conditions. These conditions are first shown when Clarisse describes to Montag what schools is like. She describes how they have “An hour of of TV class, an hour of basketball or baseball or running, another hour of transcription history or painting, and more sports, but do you know, we never ask questions, or at least most don’t; they just run the answers at you, bing, bing, bing, and us sitting there for four more hours of film teacher” (29). Clarisse shows that the children in this society are not taught to be critical thinkers; they do not have any real
Clarisse is one of the characters who influenced Montag by showing her own world. Clarisse remind Montag the fireman’s real job. Clarisse said ‘”strange. I heard once that a long time ago houses used to burn by accident and they needed firemen to stop the flames”’ (pg 8). Clarisse is the one of character who read a book in conflict read society. She confused Montag on
In Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” Montag starts off as seemingly normal as he goes about his job, home life and inner conscious. As elements are introduced, it is clear that psychologically he has been trained to think a certain way and live his life as if it were written, or programmed. Ray Bradbury creates this world that seems to promote “sameness” in Montag’s society, and clearly discourages any deviation of one’s job or role in society. In the course of the story, Montag ‘sinner peace is interrupted when he encounters a woman named Clarisse on his way home from work. From this moment, Montag is intrigued, and his inner psychological consciousness is impacted in a way that will change the way he sees his role in society, personal, professional, and even love life. His relationship with himself, his wife Mildred, his boss Beatty, and his coworkers, and finally the most impactful Clarisse. This affects Montag, and help him see his dystopian society for what it truly is, and how he’s been serving it.
Throughout Fahrenheit 451 Guy Montag goes through many changes and by the end of the story, he is ultimately an entirely different person. He is not responsible for all of the changes on his own however, and several characters play an essential role in shaping who he eventually becomes. At the beginning of the book, Montag encounters a teenage girls named Clarisse. Clarisse is only present for a short time, however she immediately gets Montag to think in a way he never has before. She looks at the small things in life and goes against what the current society tells her to think and do. She is different from everyone else in a very freeing way and Montag starts to be drawn into her personality. She is like a burst of fresh air for Montag
Clarisse’s and Mildred’s presence in Ray Bradbury's story Fahrenheit 451, gives the idea that both characters are alive but metaphorically dead by looking at their personalities and ways of being in their dystopian community and personal relationships. Clarisse and Mildred may have different personalities but they both share the same concept. Clarisse has a personality that does not exist within other people. She tends to point out on the real significance of life, which leaves characters in shock and confusion after interacting with her. As for Mildred and Montag’s relationship, Mildred shows lack of attention and love towards Montag. Mildred would pay attention more to her “family” and her friends instead of her marriage relationship. This gives Mildred the image that she is figuratively dead between her relationship with Montag. These figuratively dead characters lead to change Montag’s perspective.
Clarisse helps Montag look around him and see everything, from the smallest snowflake to the biggest tree. Montag never really thinks about what is happening in his life, or why it seems he never shows much emotion towards anything. Clarisse teaches Montag to look around and to pay attention to what is really important in life, just not what his society tells him. Even though I believe Clarisse was the reason for Montag’s major metamorphosis, I believe that there were two additional individuals that had a role to play in Montag’s expedition to find answers to fill the void in his life.
In Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451, Clarisse McClellan chooses to ignore the stale entertainment in society and focuses on filling her life with meaning and substance.
Clarisse McClellan is important to the novel because she helps Montag realize that what he does as a fireman doesn't make him happy. Clarisse is a person that doesn't fear of people, like firemen and she tells people “I’m seventeen and I’m crazy”(Bradbury 7), So that they could know a little information about her . Clarisse isn't a person who holds in thoughts, if she wants to say something she would say it even if it' not related to the subject. Clarisse helps the novel set into place because she makes a change to the situation.
Clarisse McClellan symbolizes clarity and inquisitiveness in Fahrenheit 451. Throughout the Hearth and the Salamander, her innocence, curiosity, and adoration of nature stirs Montag’s inner belief that something is very wrong. “He felt his body divide itself into hotness and coldness, a softness and a hardness, a trembling and a not trembling, the two halves grinding upon the other.”(page 21) After his conversation with Clarisse, Montag loses his sense of self. He does not know whether to continue being a typical individual in a damaged, unhappy world, or to acknowledge his inner belief that something is wrong. This is a society where suicide is common, love is nonexistent, and books are prohibited, therefore knowledge, thinking, and happiness
In the dystopian world of Fahrenheit 451, Clarisse McClellan characteristic changes the dystopian world by her curiosity, changing how Montag thinks about books. For example, Montag says, “You weren’t there, you didn’t see,’ he said. ‘There must be something in books, things we can’t imagine...there must be something there. You don’t stay for nothing’” (Bradbury, Pg.51). This is significant, since it is exhibiting how Montag is getting more curious about books. Another reason why Clarisse McClellan characteristic changes Montag is when he betrays environment. On Fahrenheit 451 it says, “Montag shot one continuous pulse of liquid fire on
Why does Montag seemed so interested in Clarisse McClellan when he sees her on his way home from work?
Clarisse appears “insane” to the rest of the populace of Fahrenheit 451 because she is curious about her surroundings, but she finds Montag, a model citizen and fireman, odd in that he seems not to think about what he has been told and reacts instead of thinking on Clarisse’s comments. The fact that Montag couldn’t remember if he knew about dew, and the fact that Clarisse almost automatically assumes he wouldn’t know upon their first meeting, is evidence to the fact that typical citizens don’t think, whether wandering alone or talking to others.
Ray Bradbury’s book, Fahrenheit 451 , would not be the same without the character Clarisse. Clarisse is one of the most vital protagonists in the story, and is one of the most fascinating as well. There are many aspects in this character including, physical appearance, actions, and thoughts. These four elements are what made Clarisse who she was as a person, in the insane era in which she had to live in.
Clarisse McClellan is an important character in the novel Fahrenheit 451 because of her personal feelings and actions on herself and others. Clarisse, a 17-year-old girl who lived in a supposed utopia positively affected Guy Montag's views on the government.. As a result of growing up in a peculiar family, she stuck out in society. She was an only child who lived with her mother, father, and uncle. Unusual things would happen in their home such as the lights being on at night, having conversations about events going on in their time, and her family's criminal record. In this society, people go to jail for being unconventional. Their way of life intrigued Montag and drew him to pay more attention to their odd way of life. “Montag heard the voices talking, talking, talking, giving, talking, weaving, reweaving their hypnotic web.” (14). The family prefers discussing real issues and have normal human communication skills which allowed Clarisse to gain her large spectrum of knowledge. When the other children went to school, Clarisse did her own learning about the outside world. Her appearance along with her personality was extremely distinct. “Her face was slender and milk-white, and in it was a kind of gentle hunger that touched over everything with tireless curiosity” (3). Clarisse had a magnetic personality that opened up Guy Montag’s mind to new ideas. She asked curious questions about the world around her and was extremely observant. Clarisse would take walks in nature,