Montag Unhappiness Analysis

She likes nature, she isn’t into violence, and she’s not into having an emotionless social life. She’s interested in odd things, which is what attracts her to Montag who is a fireman without the stereotypical fireman traits. In our world he would be stopping the fire’s not starting them. Throughout the story she asks Montag weird questions about his job and his life “Are you happy?” questions that no one else in his position would ever be asked by normal people. In the novel Fahrenheit 451 Clarisse McClellan represents purity. In a society based upon blind acceptance of government policy, she likes "to smell things and look at things, and sometimes stay up all night, walking, and watching the sunrise". (pg.11 Ray Bradbury)Clarisse does not accept the values set forth for her by society, and seldom takes part in activities, watching the parlor, which appeal to the others in her society who feel the need for the need for constant mindless stimulation. Clarisse is an individual who is in touch with her own soul, and she is able to see the world around her and honestly evaluate its worth. Her affect on Montag is huge. She is Montag's "motivation ". She is responsible for Montag's change. She also made him realize that he wasn't happy. Clarisse’s death affected Montag greatly, when he realized that she was dead, run over he starts to realize what kind of world they live in.Throughout the story Clarisse isn’t trying to teach Guy anything. She’s trying to learn from him. Her constant questioning ends up pushing the already doubtful fireman over the edge. Clarisse never tells Montag what to think; she just shows him that thinking for yourself is an option. She invites him to do it for himself, and he walks through the door she

Unlike most people in Fahrenheit 451, she inquires a lot about the surrounding environment. She is seen as “antisocial” because she doesn’t mix with the “society”. It turns out that the meaning of “social” in Fahrenheit 451 is being the same as others. Clarisse gave Montag a spark of interest in the outside world, thus making him start to read books. Unfortunately, Clarisse gets run over by a car and dies. Later, Beatty says, ”You ask Why to a lot of things and you wind up very unhappy indeed, if you keep at it. The poor girl’s better off dead,” This shows that Clarisse was not supposed to be there at all. From existence of Clarisse, Bradbury gives us a comparison of the world with no interest and the so-called “normal”

In Fahrenheit 451, Clarisse is one of the main characters throughout the book. Although Mildred and Captain Beatty influenced Montag, Clarisse impacted him the most. In this book, Ray Bradbury kills off one of the most influential characters. Even though she is “dead”, Bradbury somehow made her a symbol. We don’t know why Bradbury killed off this important character, but it left readers wondering. She had some type of influence on Montag that made him think about things. She was interested in learning and asking questions. I believe that Clarisse has impacted Montag because she taught him that thinking was an option.

In the quote Clarisse id explain to Montag how her family says society used to be. This gives significance because it can demonstrate her family values that are looked down upon by society causing her to be separated from society. The McClellan’s are social with each other, “my mother and father and uncle sitting around, talking."(Bradbury 9). The quote shows that Clarisse’s family values sitting around and communicating with each other which is obscure to their society. The current society in Fahrenheit 451 doesn’t practice being social with each other instead they are distant with little communication making them think Clarisse’s family has abnormal

The first time Montag and Clarisse meet, Clarisse shows that she is very curious by questioning everything. Many of these questions insult Montag or make him angry. Some make him wonder and question things that he has always known. In the very first conversation Montag and Clarisse have, Clarisse asks “'Are you happy?'she said.” (Bradbury 10). At first, Montag thinks this is a stupid question. Then after he goes home and ponders this question, he realizes that he isn't happy at all. Clarisse also tells Montag of a time when

Montag grew closer to Clarisse each time they talked, and he enjoyed that. So this shows that Montag, when he talks to Clarisse, gets to be himself and become independent and has to think for himself instead of everyone else thinking for him.

Clarisse made things real to Montag. Montag never had love, family, or feelings because he didn’t know what they were. He didn’t know what he was missing out on so he would never miss it. Knowledge changes people and Montag is the perfect example. With the knowledge he gathers he realizes what is wrong with their society.

Clarisse’s talking is significant to the outcome of the story. Her talking caused Montag to start reading books. This triggered the climax of the whole book. Her challenging Montag and his society’s thinking lead him to change his view upon literature. Even though Clarisse remained a static character, she influenced Montag to open his eyes and see what really is going on in his society. This insight is significant because it makes a connection to our society. Clarisse had certain characteristics that we have today. Since she was regarded as crazy, these characteristics of hers show how our society is different from their dystopian one.

Clarisse affected Montag by showing him how to be curious and adventurous and teaching Montag to try new things. Montag being a fireman doesn't know what he is doing for his society, by him burning books everyone's knowledge goes down. Clarisse is not for society, she is more free minded then Montag "'I rarely watch the 'parlor walls' or go to races or Fun Parks. So I've lots of time for crazy thoughts, I guess.'"(9). She is against watching the parlor and doing stuff society wants you to do. Montag will be affected by this and learn from this, he will later be against watching the parlor. Clarisse's attitude to life is good too, it seems like she is the light in a dark room. She also always has something interesting to say this makes Montag want to be around her "'Let me come in. I won't say anything. I just want to listen. What is it you're saying?'" (17)Montag wants hear what she has to say for there is always something interesting to be heard when she is talking.

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

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 is a teenage girl that Montag meets early on in the book and is the first character to question the censorship. The importance of her perspective is that it is a prime example of someone who does not conform to the trend of censorship, is open-minded, and a free thinker that eventually inspires others to do the same. Montag meets Clarisse in the very beginning of the novel and she instantly spikes his curiosity. While walking from work one day, Clarisse asks Montag about the history of firefighters, explains that many people are afraid of them, but that she is not. Soon after, she goes on to ask whether they have always burned books and asks “Do you ever read any of the books you burn?” (Bradbury, 5). Montag quickly responds and continues to go on justifying his job without question, giving the audience the impression that he wholeheartedly supports what he does

Before meeting Clarisse, Montag was a strong adherent of the societal function of book burning. He was rather oblivious to the ignorant and critically dull society he lived in. His meeting with Clarisse was the beginning of his Metamorphosis into a critically aware and enlightened individual, one who could see the errors of society in forming a bubble around them. This “bubble” forming that Clarisse leads Montag away from is a serious issue, and even affects our real modern day world.

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.

Clarisse says, “I tell them that sometimes I just sit and think”(21). Finally, Montag is made aware of this simplicity. When he is trying to find happiness himself, he remembers that Clarisse finds contenment through siting, observing and thinking. Montag begins to notice that his wife is a foil as she had never done either one of those things. Bradbury supports Jameson’s quote of happiness by showing how Mildred is suicidal and has no connection with people and her only connection is with her “Family” in the walls on Television. Montag begins to find himself and starts to realize that he really doesn’t care about Mildred, that she is an empty vessel. Later in the book Montage feels a stronger connection to a girl that he has only spoken to a handful of times versus his own wife whom he is suppose to have a strong connection. When Montage almost died by getting run over he says, “I wonder if they were the ones who killed Clarisse! He wanted to run after them yelling. His eyes watered.” (114). Montag knew Mildred for years yet he realizes that when she leaves him she will never miss him or mourn him; Montag feels closer with Clarisse as marvels at her idea of happiness. Montag starts to develop deeper feelings about thoughtful people like Clarisse. He would cry for this girl he barely knew more than he would for his own wife whom he felt no connection to.