Enforced conformity often compels an individual to abandon their station in life at one point or another. Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 illustrates the ostracization of a young girl, Clarisse, and her impact on the novel’s protagonist, Montag. The mindful and observant Clarisse differs from her peers greatly, being viewed as eccentric and anti-social. However, her thought-provoking conversations with the loyal citizen Montag induce a major epiphany regarding his views on life. Ultimately, Clarisse’s unique moral perspective sparks a shift in Montag’s ideals, provoking a defiance against unanimously accepted societal norms and resulting in alienation from corrupt civilization. In the dystopian world of Fahrenheit 451, Guy Montag, and his wife, …show more content…
The introduction of Clarisse’s character reveals the artificial nature of Montag’s entire existence. After meeting her, he becomes aware that his happiness is a facade. Although he is a conforming citizen, he experiences no true joy or fulfillment, nor does he share a genuine connection with Mildred, infinitely occupied with technology. His epiphany demonstrates the idea that eventually, one must consider the hidden intentions behind those in control of them. Furthermore, Clarisse’s status as an outcast highlights the significance of her influence on Montag’s perspective. During one of their final conversations, Montag mentions to her, “You sound so very old”, to which she responds, “... I’m afraid of children my own age. They kill each other, too. Did it always used to be that way?” (27). Unlike Montag, Clarisse does not conform. She references the past in her critique of current social norms, as she cannot comprehend the reasoning behind her peers’ behavior and worldly issues only noticed by her. Her questioning of modern humanity inspires Montag to reconsider the authenticity of his relationships and role in society. Moreover, Montag’s exchanges with Clarisse provoke him to deny authority, and in turn, seek out the assistance of another
What do you believe? Would you sacrifice everything you’ve ever had to just read a book? Montag, the main character of Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451, learns to realize that there is more to living then staring at a screen. Guy Montag is initially a fireman who is tasked with burning books. However, he becomes disenchanted with the idea that books should be destroyed, flees his society, and joins a movement to preserve the content of books. Montag changes over a course of events, while finding his true self and helping others.
For instance, she is curious when she keeps asking questions about everything. She questions how long Montag is a fireman, and why. Clarisse also questions in class instead of just following the stream of facts labeled as “education.” She is also a positive influence to Montag because her questions cause Montag to question his job and himself. For example, Montag, when asked questions by Clarisse, abruptly laughs and immediately answers her questions. But she confronts him, saying, “You laugh when I haven't been funny and you answer right off. You never stop to think what I've asked you’" (6). Because of the questions she asks, Montag starts to discover himself. After meeting with him, Clarisse asks, “Are you happy?” Such a simple question is very hard for Montag to answer. Finally, Clarisse is the exact opposite of Mildred. Clarisse is outgoing and unorthodox while Mildred is distant and just like society:
Through Montag's conversations with Clarisse, I have learned that sometimes the simplest exchange of words and ideas can leave the greatest mark on a person. Clarisse is the light that wipes away the haze and fog from Montag's life. Without knowing it, she influenced him to clearly evaluate his life, beliefs, and choices. Montag simply went about his business during his prominent position as a fireman. Yet after meeting Clarisse, he began to question his thoughts in ways he has never thought to before. He at first laughs at her controversial questions and thoughts from reading books, to practicing the act of "watching people." The turning point for Montag from his past ways was simply a three letter phrase, "Are you happy?" (Pg 10)
Clarisse shares with Montag that her entire family was almost killed by the government for knowing too much. The government said we were a threat to society and needed to be eliminated. Clarisse’s Uncle was very educated and knew the things they had to do in order to live. They then escaped in the night, but the government did not seem to care. The government then tried to cover it up by saying that she got hit by a car. Clarisse’s family then made it to the same intellects that Montag had been with, and they directed them to the city. Their family then reached the city, where Montag is now. They realized that books were allowed and accepted in that society, and have been living there for the ever since. About three hours go by of Clarisse pouring her brain out to Montag, and finally they look around and see that it is nighttime. The two of them gaze at the stars and let out a small
Imagine a world in which there are no books, and every piece of information you learn comes from a screen. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, this nightmare is a reality. In Fahrenheit 451, Guy Montag is a fireman who instead of putting out fires burns books. He eventually meets Clarisse who changes his outlook on life and inspires him to read books (which are outlawed). This leads to Guy being forced on the run from the government. The culture, themes, and characters in Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451 construct a dystopian future that is terrifying to readers.
Ray Bradbury introduces in his novel, Fahrenheit 451 (1953), a dystopian society manipulated by the government through the use of censored television and the outlaw of books. During the opening paragraph, Bradbury presents protagonist Guy Montag, a fireman whose job is to burn books, and the society he lives in; an indifferent population with a extreme dependence on technology. In Bradbury’s novel, the government has relied on their society’s ignorance to gain political control. Throughout the novel, Bradbury uses characters such as Mildred, Clarisse, and Captain Beatty to show the relationships Montag has, as well as, the types of people in the society he lives in. Through symbolism and imagery, the audience is able to see how utterly unhappy Clarisse, as well as Faber and Granger, represent the more thoughtful minority population.
Clarisse is someone I would not imagine to have such a big effect on Montag. To me she seems to be out of Montag's comfort zone. Clarisse always has questions and wants to learn something. There was never a moment Clarisse was not wondering or questioning something. An example of Clarisse being curious is when she first meets Montag and says "Do you mind if I ask? How long have you worked at being a fireman?"(5). Clarisse begins asking many questions about being a fireman as soon as she gets to know Montag a little better(6). Clarisse is always the type of girl to wants to learn something new. Clarisse is very social and will like to meet anyone. She has no clue who Montag is besides her neighbor but she still starts talking to him, and makes a friendship out of it(3). Clarisse likes to be outside with nature and enjoys life. If Clarisse was a lot older her and Montag would be great together. Clarisse and Montag have so much in common.
Henry David Thoreau, a famous American author, once said that “What is the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?” Essentially, Thoreau is saying that even though people are normal, we as a society are not and have various faults. Ray Bradbury reflects upon Thoreau’s ideas in his novel entitled Fahrenheit 451. Despite that fact that Bradbury is describing how society might look in the future, he is actually criticizing the society we live in today. In the novel, Guy Montag, the protagonist, realizes that his supposed utopian society is actually a dystopia. Montag finally realizes this when Clarisse, his young neighbor, asks him if he is happy. Although Montag believes that he is happy, it becomes clear later in the novel that he is not. Montag finds countless faults in his society. Throughout the novel, Bradbury’s goal is to warn the reader of faults in society, such as the education system and our attachment to technology.
Clarisse is a young, but intelligent girl that, unlike many children in the novel, was raised with discipline. “I was spanked when i needed it, years ago.” Clarisse said to Montag referring to how she was raised. Kids used to be loving and caring, but now it’s not like that anymore. The world is a dystopia and everyone has lost hope, but Clarisse, her family, a group of hobos who want to join the fight for books, and a secret team of Harvard graduates. Clarisse met a man named Montag, who is a firefighter that burns books down along with the house they were in if the owner of the books refuses to reveal their location. Clarisse walked with Montag, right after they had met, and told him of the many things life has to offer that he doesn’t see because he is caught up in burning books for a living. She caught Montag’s emotions and this is what ultimately ended up with Montag deciding he was going to stop burning books and even help the Harvard graduates memorize and spread the words and knowledge of the books that remain. Clarisse filled Montag with empathy and this changed Montag’s view of life
In a dystopian society, every slight action, every move of the hand counts. As show In Fahrenheit 451 through symbolism act of the hand has a lot of meaning. In Fahrenheit 451 hands symbolize man's actions, activities; and control.
At the beginning of the novel, Montag, like everyone else, strays from the unknown and what he does not understand, and by burning books he pleases the ignorant. He has a position of authority and never questioned his job. Until Montag meets a peculiar girl who is not afraid of him named Clarisse McClellan. Clarisse irritates Montag at first because she asks deep questions to the way the world is and makes statements about his life. Clarisse’s love of nature, people, and the way the world used to be is strange. Forced to go to a psychiatrist for strange behaviors she does, such as
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a novel based on a dystopian society. The way society copes with the government is through conformity. Conformity is an act of matching attitudes and beliefs. Many of the characters like Mildred, Beatty, and the rest conform to the government because it is the way this culture lives. Individuality is not accepted in this society because it causes conflicts with one another. The government demolishes any kind of individuality one has, and does not tolerate with any kind of knowledge because they will find a way to punish an individual. Individuality expresses the differences of a person, it create a unique personality of one self like Clarisse McClellan showed Montag in the beginning of the story. Clarisse
In today’s world, there is an abundance of social problems relating to those from the novel Fahrenheit 451. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, the protagonist Montag exhibits drastic character development throughout the course of the novel. Montag lives in a world where books are banned from society and no one is able to read them. Furthermore, Montag has to find a way to survive and not be like the rest of society. This society that Montag lives has became so use to how they live that it has affected them in many ways. Bradbury’s purpose of Fahrenheit 451 was to leave a powerful message for readers today to see how our world and the novel’s world connect through texting while driving, censorship and addiction.
This teenage girl, in just one conversation, manages to change Montag forever. Clarisse McClellan from Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 is a character who exists to contrast and challenge her surroundings; everything from her physique, personality, and position in the
Guy Montag, the protagonist in the novel Fahrenheit 451, was stuck in a time when society was set to one standard. Montag had been living by his society’s “rules” which ultimately required everyone had to live and act the same. Any variance from the “rules” or standards would be considered abnormal and wrong. Montag’s journey on the path of redemption began the day that he met a seventeen year old girl named Clarisse McClellan. With the help of Clarisse, Montag transforms himself from a thoughtless machine into a free spirited intellectual. When the old lady burns herself up with the books is when Montag realizes that burning books is completely wrong and that his society is messed up. The old lady said before she burned was “Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in Englan...