Guy Montag's Character In Fahrenheit 451

Guy Montag is a protagonist in Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, who is known to be a living in a dystopian society. In Montag’s world, there is a whole new set of laws placed by the government. Rule number one, citizens are not allowed to own or read books. Rule number two, when driving on a highway, citizens must drive fast. Lastly, rule number three, citizens are not allowed to have front porches. Montag lives with his wife, Mildred, and works as a fireman who burns books along with the houses that they belong to. For Montag, burning books was a pleasure and he convinces himself that he loves his job. But Montag’s character developed more as the story continued on. Events that caused a change in Montag’s personality was when he first talked with Clarisse, when he saw Mildred attempting suicide, when he stole a book while burning a house, when Montag goes to see Faber, and when Montag sees a woman kill herself along with her books.

Montag soon figures out that the mysterious girl is Clarisse McClellan, his new teenage neighbour. Clarisse opens Montag’s eyes to a new perspective and tells him about the past. For example, Montag learned that firemen used to put out fires instead of starting them, and billboards used to be 20 feet long. After his deep conversation with Clarisse, Montag starts to question whether or not he enjoys burning books, and realizes that there is no real happiness in his life. Many events trigger Montag’s awareness of himself and his society. In the beginning of chapter one, Montag’s believes and supports his part in society. He is also fond of his job and sees it as a pleasure to burn books. “It was a pleasure to see things burn, to see things blackened and changed.” (1). But after his encounter with Clarisse, his perspective slightly changes and he starts to rethink his