In many cases today we aren’t aware of what our lives could act be if we had someone in our life to show us another outlook. In Fahrenheit 451 Montag’s character has become accustomed to his Dystopian society. Although he starts to believe he is genuinely happy with his unruly life, he encounters Clarisse who makes him realize everything could be so different. Ray Bradbury uses Clarisse as the muse in Fahrenheit 451 to inspire Montag to become more conscious of his life and to reject societal norms. Clarisse’s purity and beauty causes Montag to reflect on his personal life. As she and Montag grow closer in friendship she mentions that his occupation as a fireman doesn’t seem to reflect him as an individual. After stating this, Montag
As Fahrenheit 451 goes further, I believe that the characterization of Clarisee makes the story have a "what happens next" feel to it. There are many situations in the story that leave me wondering why it happened, such as Clarisse's death. Clarisse dies (we think). What’s up with that? I'm wondering if it could be that, in this world a girl like Clarisse just can’t exist.
He is married to Mildred, a woman who spends her days in front of three television sets and sings herself to sleep. Montag spends his time being a fireman with three main traits, he is hungry for knowledge , he is brave, and he is smart. Montag is a person who wants to know things. Although he enjoys his job, Montag wants to keep books and learn from them.
Montag, the main character ,takes on many struggles. Those struggles include his wife, job, and even his own happiness when he meets a 17 year old girl, Clarisse. This girl makes montag question himself about who he loves and if he’s happy with being a fireman. In the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, he demonstrates the idea that having a lack
Montag quits his job as a fireman because he wants to be different, he wants to be free and he wants to bring hope into the world for a better future. Montag begins to do what he wants, regardless of what people say as he begins to defy society. He wants to show that he is free and that it is okay to be yourself. Many people can’t do what he does because they’re afraid of change,
(STEWE-1): In the beginning of the book, Montag thoroughly enjoys his job and does not think that there would be any problems within his society and life. He found his job as a fireman as a “pleasure to burn” (1) and it was also “a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed” (1) in his eyes. In Montag’s life, burning books is the norm, and him being pleased with what he is doing shows that he fits in right along with the rest of his society. (STEWE-2): As well as enjoying his job, he also takes a lot of pride with what he is doing.
She says, “That’s why I think it’s so strange you’re a fireman, it just doesn’t seem right for you, somehow”(21). This gets Montag thinking about his life and purpose. Clarisse gives Montag a sense of repentance. This is important because this opens Montag’s eyes to real society.
In addition, taking after Clarisse, Montag begins to ask questions himself, and realizes that the way society functions isn't right, and he is no longer happy with his choice of profession.(STEWE-1) " ‘I've tried to imagine,’ said Montag, ‘just how it would feel. I mean, to have firemen burn our houses and our books’” (Bradbury 31). Here, Montag has his first realization that being a fireman is not only wrong, but also an inaccurate, untruthful version of who he wants to be.(STEWE-2)
(Bradbury, P. 9) Clarisse’s family is different than the normal family; they talk to each other, and let Clarisse be herself. Therefore, Clarisse never lost her childhood ideals. She is still free the think for herself, be kind, and be curious. When Montag meets Clarisse, the two clash in an interesting way.
This becomes clear with Montag’s interaction with his people and his perception of the meaning of fire. Throughout the story, Montag realizes that whether or not he liked his acquaintances, he still cared for them and thought of them in
Individuality against conformity is a heavy theme throughout Fahrenheit 451. Clarisse is a central character in Fahrenheit 451 who opposes censorship, questioning Montag in Part One. Clarisse's boldness in asking Montag whether or not he considers the importance of what he is burning offers Bradbury’s view that people who defy anthropocentrism in censorship are more inquisitive, in turn, this could be seen as detrimental to people who try to go against an authoritarian system. The significance of individuality and rebellion throughout Fahrenheit 451 indicates that Bradbury is criticising the shortcomings of anthropocentrism, that in a homocentric society and culture of Fahrenheit, it doesn’t affect non-conforming humans such as Clarisse. Clarisse
To begin, the rising action of Fahrenheit 451 includes Montag’s internal conflict. This internal conflict initiates doubt in Montag. When Clarisse asks Montag “‘Are you happy?’”, he initially responds “Of course I’m happy” (Bradbury 7-8). However, it is evident that doubt has been planted in his mind, “What does she think? I’m not?”
(MIP-2) From certain experiences, Montag comes to realize that he’s not actually happy with his life because he discovers that it lacks genuine, valuable, or humane relationships, eventually driving him to find the truth about his society by making him think about and question it. (SIP-A) Montag realizes from his experiences with Clarisse that his relationships in his life lack genuity, value, or humanity. (STEWE-1)
She tells him that firefighting doesn’t seem right for him. This comment causes a reaction in Montag, “He felt his body divide itself into a hotness and a coldness, a softness and a hardness, a trembling and a not trembling, the two halves grinding one upon the other” (pg 24). His reaction shows a conflict, that is causing emotion and thought. He begins to wonder why he isn’t happy.
Clarisse McClellan is the most significant character in the novel Fahrenheit 451. Clarisse plays a huge role in the storyline as she is the reason of Montag’s metamorphosis. She does this by making Montag question his surroundings, being a role model and changing Montag’s emotions towards others. Clarisse’s role and impact on Montag makes the most Important character.
Everybody has a point in life where someone reminds them of something they have long forgotten and suddenly everything make sense. In the dystopian novel by Ray Bradbury titled Fahrenheit 451, the curious, sweet girl of the name Clarisse pops the bubble that Montag lives in. Bradbury includes Clarisse in the story to act as an eye opener for Montag. She introduces him to a past where firemen put out fires instead of starting them. Clarisse remains immune to the chatter of television and instead gazes through a kaleidoscope of colors that filters out the dull views of the government.