Conformity In Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 421

In Ray Bradbury’s renowned novel “Fahrenheit 421,” the main character, Montag, experiences a deep-rooted internal conflict that shapes his journey of self-discovery. The two sides of Montag, which symbolize the conflict between conformity and individualism, can be used to further understand Montag’s character and comprehend his mentality. Throughout the novel we see glimpses of his contradicting personalities and highlights of his internal turmoil and eventual transformation.
Initially, Montag depicts the conformist nature of his society, where the majority mindlessly engage in shallow entertainment, devoid of any critical thinking and self-reflection. He conforms to the norms set by the government, blindly accepting their rules and actions. “We must all be alike. Not everyone is born free and equal, as the Constitution says, but everyone is made equal.” (pg. 55) Their society made laws and philosophies that enforce

He goes through the motions of a hollow existence, engaging in superficial interactions with his wife and neighbors. He struggles to find fulfillment and genuine connection in this shallow, technology-obsessed society. “... it was suddenly so very wrong that he had begun to cry, not at death but at the thought of not crying at death.” (pg. 41) Montag grows more and more restless and disillusioned as the story progresses and recognizes the need for genuine human connection.
As Montag continues his journey, his second personality side emerges- an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and rebellion. He craves for a deeper understanding of life and the world around him. As Montag grows more aware and erudite he learns that,”The magic is only in what the books say, how they stitched the patches of the universe together into one garment for us.” (pg. 79) Demonstrating his acknowledgement of the importance of books in providing us with personal growth and limitless amounts of