Montag’s Inspiration
Montag starts off as a trigger happy fireman. He is content with his life and job, he enjoys burning thing to a burnt crisp; “it was a pleasure to burn.” (1). But Montag does not stay that way. Fahrenheit 451 lets you have a front row seat of Montag’s journey from a mindless fireman to a rebel. He transforms into a knowledgeable martyr, fighting for what he believes in. Before the change, he was an insecure, quiet man, what changed him? Montag encounters many influential factors in the novel. But there were three that stood out. Clarisse, Faber, and books, all motivated Montag to steal and gain knowledge. Montag couldn’t have transformed into the person he became without them.
Clarisse is a very mysterious character. Although she comes and goes quickly from Montag’s life, she leaves a great impact on him. Clarisse is a young girl, but has
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Before she came along he viewed his life as normal. “It’s fine work. Monday burn Millay, Wednesday Whitman, Friday Faulkner, burn ‘em to ashes, then burn the ashes.” (6) Clarisse points out the abnormalities in their society. She mentions that the firemen running their world want everyone to be ignorant. “That’s not social to me at all. It’s a lot of funnels and a lot of water poured down the spout and out the bottom, and them telling us it's wine when it’s not.”(27) Even though she is just seventeen, she is able to see past the façade of their society and know that something is wrong.
Montag looks at the world differently after Clarisse opens Montag’s mind to new ideas. He starts to view his wife, Mildred differently. “You acted funny last night.” (46). He notices that everyone was living for nothing, and all that mattered in their lives are their T.V family, or winning a card game. Montag used to be like that, but Clarisse broke through the dam in his mind and the knowledge rushed
Montag was a dynamic character who changed a lot throughout the story, impacting not only the people around him but the society he lived in as well. This change that shaped the course of the entire novel began when Montag met the strange Clarisse McClennan. She was a vital part of his transition from being a regular fireman who loved to see things burn, to someone who saw the flaws in their society. Clarisse had a huge impact on Montag. She helped him grow as a person by talking to him, asking uncomfortable questions, pointing out the beauty of the nature around them, helping him realize he didn’t love Mildred, and that he wasn’t happy with his life and just being genuinely interested in what he had to say.
Clarisse tells Montag this, and it makes him wonder if anyone really does care. Montag realizes that he lives in a world of conceited people. He realizes that he does not really care about anyone, including his wife Mildred. People in his society don't think about others feelings when acting. From this, Montag learns the meaning of caring. He learns what a terrible place it is to live in, where no one cares about anyone but themselves. This only changes Montag for the better. At one point, Montag and the other firemen go to a house because a lady has books concealed in her home. The lady, not concerned about being burned to death, is determined to stay with her books. Montag is stunned by her decision, and cares very much about her safety. “Montag placed his hand on the woman's elbow. 'You can come with me'” (Bradbury 39) This is a turning point for Montag, in which he starts to care about everyone and their feelings.
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 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
Have you ever read a book you enjoyed a lot? Well if not read Fahrenheit 451. The author of the book is Ray Bradbury. There are many characters, but one of the main, main ones is Montag. Montag is a person who changes quite a bit throughout the story. Montag goes from being conservative to being a rebel.
Clarisse is a curious girl about her environment, how the earth has evolved, and the past. She rubs off on Montag, which could lead to a dramatic change in his life.
Clarisse is killed in a car accident. After her death, Montag begins to realize how his job, as a fireman, has negatively affected the society around him.
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
Clarisse begins walking with Montag every day and he grows very fond of her insight and childlike playfulness. Clarisse reminds him of his childhood and renews his interest in life--the interest that he didn't realize he had lost. With Clarisse's comforting conversations, Montag realizes that "he wore his happiness like a mask" (26), and that he wasn't truly content with his life, as he had always believed. The first step of change is to acknowledge that something is wrong. Once Montag discovers that he is unhappy with his life, he gains the respect of the reader by taking a step towards changing his
Clarisse is a very curious individual. Some would see her as an attention seeker, peculiar, or even insane. All of these things due to her differences. Her outlook on the world and society is completely opposed to others she is surrounded by. For example, she explains to Montag that she and her family talk. This catches him by surprise and bring curiosity because in their
As Montag continued on his journey to a new him, different people changed him in very different ways. Without the help of those three individuals who knows where Montag would have ended up. Montag is now aware of who he really is and what he is supposed to do through this series of internal changes. First, the old lady gives Montag sympathy, compassion, and guilt. Then Faber helps him find the true meaning in books. Last, Clarisse makes Montag find his true self and lets that person come through. Reflecting on
The book Fahrenheit 451, written by Ray Bradbury, is about a man named Guy Montag who breaks away from societal norms after realizing how ugly they are. He begins as a fireman who’s job is to burns books and destroys the houses they’re kept in. After meeting a girl named Clarisse McClellan, a person who opens his eyes to different ways society can be, Montag starts to see the way people are being brainwashed in they’re community . Montag tries to show a different way life could be to his friends but they refuse to change. The growth of Montag is shown through the book as he breaks away from society and thinks for himself.
And as many times he came out if the house and Clarisse was there somewhere in the world. Once he saw her sitting on the lawn knitting a blue sweater, three or four times he found a bouquet of late flowers on his porch, or a handful of chestnut in a little sack, or some autumn leaves neatly pinned to a sheet of white paper and thumbtacked to his door.” Montag keeps thinking about Clarisse and she has done for him for the past years, he must feel lonely. Montag feels like his wife is no there for him and the only one that was there to hear him out was unfortunately Clarisse, but she not there anymore, “ What was it Clarisse has said one afternoon?
Clarisse tries to get Montag to see through her point of view, to see the world differently and not be afraid to question. She is one of the few that wish to open
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.