Fahrenheit 451 Research Paper

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Marriage is a sacred thing. Despite that, unions are rarely handled with the care that they deserve. According to a study from The University of Chicago Press Journals, the divorce rate in the United States has more than doubled from 11 marriages out of 1,000 ending in divorce in 1950, to 23 divorces per 1000 marriages in 1990. Montag’s marriage with Mildred fails due to his feeling disconnected from her and having moved beyond the surface-level bond that they once shared. The society within Fahrenheit 451 prioritizes connections that protect them from harm, rather than enrich their lives. However, Clarisse shows Montag that relationships are meant to enhance your life and are more than just sharing space with someone. Within Ray Bradbury’s …show more content…

Mildred attempts to take her own life, yet when the dust settles and the shock wears off, she returns to the habits and life that drove her to that initial place of depression. Mildred’s lack of regard for Montag was highlighted the morning after her suicide attempt. Montag goes to question her, hoping to find some glimmer of remorse from her. However, Mildred's insistent response of “I didn’t do that” calls attention to the fact that Mildred has no real affection for Montag or regard for his feelings (Bradbury, 17). It is at this moment that Bradbury reveals that Montag and Mildred’s marriage is nothing more than a unification of assets, rather than the joining of two souls. Time and time again, Montag attempts to vocalize that he is troubled by Mildred’s pattern of behavior. However, the world in which he lives normalizes her complacency and demonizes those who dare to challenge the status quo. The moment Mildred experiences any real turmoil, she plugs herself back in and tunes out the …show more content…

Upon first making Montag’s acquaintance, Clarisse openly speaks her mind to Montag about his character and his profession, saying,” I’m not afraid of you at all. So many people are. Afraid of firemen I mean”(Bradbury, 5 ). This interaction provides insight into the perception of firemen at large by society. With Clarisse revealing that many people view firefighters with fear, her choice to directly converse and speak her mind with Montag comes off as shocking and almost dangerous. By choosing to be honest and straightforward, Clarisse can gain Montag’s trust and develop an instant connection with him. Clarisse’s ability to self-reflect allows her to be open to new relationships and the nurturing of existing relationships. Clarisse describes herself as “crazy” yet she doesn't view the word as negative (Bradbury, 5). “Crazy” is how she has been described her whole life, but because she is at such peace with herself she accepts the term as a label that makes her unique rather than a derogatory term (Bradbury, 5). Therefore, Clarisse nurtures a relationship with Montag through her veracity and

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