Fahrenheit 451 Conflicts

Changing your beliefs and morals as a result of a major conflict is describing how Guy Montag lived his life. At the beginning of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, Montag accepts the fact that the government is in charge and he has no say, but as he is asked questions and revealed truths, he beings to question society. As Montag begins to discover society’s flaws, he learns to value the power of knowledge.

One of the main conflicts that drives Montag’s curiosity is his relationship with his wife, Mildred. Mildred is an average member of society who is oblivious to the absurd reality she lives in. She also doesn’t understand Montag’s growing fascination with books. As Montag begins to realize that he is not content with his life, he admits to his loneliness and thinks, “He was not happy. He said the words to himself. He recognized this as the true state of affairs. He wore his happiness like a mask…” (Bradbury, 9) This conflict causes Montag to begin to feel isolated and empty, which triggers his independence.

To cope with his internal confusion, Montag ended up murdering his boss, Captain Beatty. Beatty was a complicated man who would disregard any idea that didn’t exist within the boundaries of the law. Montag continuously hinted to Beatty about his fascination with books, but Beatty would turn down his thoughts. As Montag decided that the only option to deal with Beatty was to get rid of him, he felt an instant release of anger when Bradbury writes, “And as before, it was good to burn, he felt himself gush out in the fire, snatch, rend, rip in half with flame, and put away the senseless problem. If there was no solution, well then now there was no problem either” (Bradbury