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Knowledge In Fahrenheit 451

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In Fahrenheit 451, Montag’s interactions with his career as a fireman, his conversation about books with Clarisse, and his past when meeting Faber cause his growth as a character and helps develop the theme that uncensored knowledge is the only way to overcome an oppressive government. While Montag’s occupation as a fireman is initially viewed as an honorable job, as Montag begins to read books. he discovers that books, and by extension, knowledge, can be powerful. In this dystopian society, the government demands the firemen to burn books because the government believes that knowledge can spark rebellions and an upheaval of the government. Being a fireman makes Montag burns books unaware of the true power and knowledge that books contain. …show more content…

Clarisse, like Montag, reads books and is interested in odd activities like watching the sunset while most of the citizens spend countless hours watching television. Montag is attracted to Clarisse’s personality because she shows him that not everyone in this society is like his wife, Mildred, who spends almost the whole day watching pointless television shows on her parlour walls. Therefore, he values Clarisse’s opinion and insight when she asks him, “Is it true that long local firemen put fires out instead of going to start them? “No. Houses have always been fireproof, take my word for it” (Bradbury 6). Clarisse believes that society used to be different a long time ago, but the government has tried to hide the past from its citizens. Moreover, she thinks that books are censored because the ideas contained in those books can convince people not to trust the government. Due to Clarisse’s conversations, Montage begins to question the world around him and think for himself, a positive change in his character. In turn, this advances the idea that the critical analysis and self-thinking that books encourage, as well as the knowledge they contain, is a serious threat to an …show more content…

They sit together for an hour, at the park when Montag sees Faber put something in his jacket. During his conversation with Montag he says, “I don't talk things, sir, said Faber. I talk the meaning of things. I sit here and know I’m alive” (Bradbury 70). This incident made such an impact on Montag because he is lonely and isolated in his world. He does not have a loving, warm relationship with his wife. Until Clarisse, Montag has no one with whom to share his thoughts and concerns with. Since Faber offered him that, he goes to Faber’s house when he is under so much stress about what to do with the books. Montag’s interactions with outside forces such as his job, his conversation with Clarisse, and his past encounter with Faber contribute to his change for the better and the worse and aid in developing the theme that uncensored knowledge is stronger than an oppressive

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