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Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Decent Essays

The flash point of paper, or the temperature at which paper will burst in flames, is 451 degrees Fahrenheit. In Fahrenheit 451, written by Ray Bradbury, the main character, Guy Montag, is a “fireman” in a futuristic society where he and his coworkers start fires, rather than put them out. Books are banned and burned, along with the owner of the book’s house and sometimes even the owner of the book, upon discovery. Technology has taken over in a sense that social interaction between the average person and their television is more than the interaction between real people. The citizens of this society, with few exceptions, accept without questioning the repressive conditions of which they live in. As Montag meets and interacts with the different foils in the novel, he slowly transforms into someone completely different. In Fahrenheit 451, the author, Ray Bradbury, uses foils to characterize Montag. The foil Clarisse helps reveal Montag’s disconnect from reality and nature. Mildred, Montag’s wife, shows that Montag is becoming different than the average person and he is becoming aware of reality and the truth behind this society. Montag’s boss, Beatty, makes Montag appear very compassionate and humane. Bradbury uses Clarisse’s character to foil Montag and reveal his disconnect from reality and nature. Clarisse is a peculiar girl who is different than the average person in this society. Clarisse introduces Montag to the world’s potential for beauty and meaning with her gentle

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