Mildred cries out as the walls of her hotel room go dark, because in her final moments, she sees her own face is reflected there, “in a mirror instead of a crystal ball” (159), and it was such a vacant, expressionless face, alone in the room, touching nothing, consuming itself for there is nothing left to consume, finally she recognizes it as her own and immediately looks to the ceiling as it and everything above her crashes down upon her. Many symbols are brought up throughout Fahrenheit 451, but one that leaves a lasting impact is, mirrors. At the start of the book the protagonist, Guy Montag, describes Clarisse as a mirror, and she is the kindling that leads to Montag’s evolution as a character. Montag’s wife, Mildred, had also become a mirror in her own way, she was a mirror image of society. Their society mindlessly fed off of whatever the parlor walls threw to them, …show more content…
brainwashed and living in their own “perfect” world. In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury uses mirrors to symbolize seeing one’s self clearly by referencing mirrors as a form of self reflection. Clarisse assisted Montag in his journey to break away from the control of society, and in a sense she became his mirror by showing him his true self. As Montag observed Clarisse, he thought, “How like a mirror, too, her face. Impossible; for how many people did you know who refracted your own light to you? People were more often- he searched for a smile, found one in his work- torches, blazing away until they whiffed out. How rarely did people's face take off you and throw back you your own expression, your own innermost trembling thought?” (11). This stranger, Clarisse, has given Montag the chance to view his innermost self, down to his darkest flaws: a very uncommon occurrence in their society. Not to mention, in that moment, she also made him realize how the flames of firemen would continue to take until there was nothing left but ash. In like manner, Clarisse had asked Montag a simple question: “‘Are you happy?’” (10). Thus causing Montag to deeply question his state of mental being, as well as why the world around him had become what it was. Clarisse was symbolic of a mirror because she helped Montag to see the reality behind himself and society. Mildred was a physical representation of their society. As the bombs dropped over the city, “Montag, falling flat, going down, saw or felt, or imagined he saw or felt the walls go dark in Millie's face, heard her screaming, because in the millionth part of time left, she saw her own face reflected there, in a mirror instead of a crystal ball, and it was such a wildly empty face, all by itself in the room, touching nothing, starved and eating of itself, that at last she recognized it as her own and looked quickly up at the ceiling as it and the entire structure of the hotel blasted down upon her” (159). After having the perfect world that the parlor walls had created was shut off, Mildred saw her reflection for the first time in a long time, and as she realized the person she was seeing was the person she had become, her world not only literally collapsed around her but it also collapsed in a metaphorical sense as reality set in. Additionally, their society had advertised, a very unachievable standard of beauty that many, including Mildred, felt they need to conform to “He saw her without opening his eyes, her hair burnt by chemicals to a brittle straw, her eyes with a kind of cataract unseen but suspect far behind the pupils, the reddened pouting lips, the body as thin as a praying mantis from dieting, and her flesh like white bacon. He could remember her no other way” (48). Montag had begun to recognize how corrupt the system was and saw in Mildred what most humans had really become. Not only did Mildred mirror society, but she was also an example of what Montag would become if he did not find a way to change. Their society was so absorbed in technology, that they could only see the false images of their lives that the parlor walls project to them. After the city had been destroyed, Granger says, “‘Come on now, we're going to go build a mirror factory first and put out nothing but mirrors for the next year and take a long look in them’” (164). He is commenting on the need for self reflection; to be able to recover from what they have become, people need to first take the time to clearly understand themselves. In order to mend the disaster that has left them in their current state, society must start to rely on the knowledge stored in books, “‘They have to come ‘round in their own time, wondering what happened and why the world blew up under them. It can't last’” (153). If society cannot learn from its mistakes in the past, there is no possibility of progress. Only by looking in a mirror can the human race rise from the ashes of it’s mistakes and rebuild itself. A continuous theme of looking beyond the surface and reflecting on one’s self through mirrors is evident in Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451.
At the beginning of the book, Clarisse acted as Montag's mirror and changed his self perspective. Clarisse challenged societal views and in turn had influenced Montag to do the same. Mildred was a mirror image of what their society had become. And she was an illustration of where Montag would end up if he had not altered his actions. Their society had driven itself to a point of brainwashed mindlessness that eventually caused it to collapse. In the rubble of what society once was is where the rebirth of the human race must start, this can only happen if society is willing to look in the mirror to see it’s flaws and move past them. Bradbury created a world of people who were not willing to look in the mirror to reflect upon themselves; a world of people who had destroyed themselves in effort to avoid disappointment in what they had become; a world that now must spend a long time looking in mirrors to be able to even attempt to make diamonds out of their
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Society can change people negatively or positively. Mildred is a character in the book “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury. Mildred has been changed by society by becoming self-centered, robotic, and unfeeling.
I believe that the characters Beatty and Mildred were catalysts for Montag’s awakening in Fahrenheit 451. Beatty was responsible for tempting Montag with the idea of reading books, and so he is the main reason that Montag grows a hunger of knowledge for themes and ideas of literature. Mildred is also a reason for the awakening of Montag, because she was his wife but had no emotional ties for him, so instead of having love from his wife he decided to search for love in other places resulting in a love of
Firstly, Montag is influenced by Clarisse McClellan because she is the first person he has met that is not like the rest of the society. Clarisse is a young 17 year old girl that Montag quickly becomes very fond of. Clarisse influences Montag by the way she questioned Montag, the way she admires nature, and her death. Clarisse first influenced Montag by the way she began questioning him often. Her questions would make him think for himself unlike the rest of society. “Then she seemed to remember something and came back to look at him with wonder and curiosity. “Are you happy?” she said. “Am I what?” he cried. But she was gone- running in the moonlight” (Bradbury, 10). Clarisse was one of the only people that Montag had ever met that had ever asked him that. This question that she asked him influenced him because he thinks about, and Montag asks himself tha...
Society changes people in a positive and negative way. In the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury; Mildred is the wife of the main character Guy Montag, and she acts in certain ways that seems odd or strange. Captain Beatty, the fireman captain, gives a speech to Montag. Beatty’s speech explains why Mildred acts the way she does, which had just started to become a mystery for Montag.
Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 opens with Guy Montag, a fireman, reminiscing of the pleasures of burning. As the story unfolds, we learn that Montag is a fireman who rids the world of books by burning all that are found. Walking home one night Montag meets Clarisse, his strong minded neighbor. She begins peppering him with questions. Clarisse doesn’t go along with societal norms and Montag realizes that immediately. “I rarely watch the 'parlor walls ' or go to races or Fun Parks. So I 've lots of time for crazy thoughts, I guess.” (Bradbury 3) Clarisse uses her imagination brought by stories from books and family instead of watching television. Clarisse helps Montag realize that the government induced censorship and conformation is stifling society’s education and imagination. Montag’s wife, Mildred ,is incapable of having a personal conversation with Montag. She conforms to societal standards and is greatly
In the novel Fahrenheit 451 by author Ray Bradbury we are taken into a place of the future where books have become outlawed, technology is at its prime, life is fast, and human interaction is scarce. The novel is seen through the eyes of middle aged man Guy Montag. A firefighter, Ray Bradbury portrays the common firefighter as a personal who creates the fire rather than extinguishing them in order to accomplish the complete annihilation of books. Throughout the book we get to understand that Montag is a fire hungry man that takes pleasure in the destruction of books. It’s not until interacting with three individuals that open Montag’s eyes helping him realize the errors of his ways. Leading Montag to change his opinion about books, and more over to a new direction in life with a mission to preserve and bring back the life once sought out in books. These three individual characters Clarisse McClellan, Faber, and Granger transformed Montag through the methods of questioning, revealing, and teaching.
In Fahrenheit 451 the main characters are Montag, Faber, Clarisse, and Beatty. Montag is someone who knows what he wants and what he wants is change. He is a fireman who suddenly realizes the emptiness of his life and starts to search for meaning in the books he is supposed to be burning. Though he is sometimes rash and has a hard time thinking for himself, he is determined to break free from the oppression of ignorance. He quickly forms unusually strong attachments with anyone who seems receptive to true friendship. At first, Montag believes that he is happy. He thinks this because of the question that Clarisse asks him. When he views himself in the firehouse mirror after a night of burning, he grins "the fierce grin of all men singed and driven back by flame." His biggest regret in life is not having a better relationship with his wife. Faber is a very wise and intellectual man. He readily admits that the current state of society is due to the cowardice of people like himself, who would not speak out against book burning when they still could have stopped it. He berates himself for being a coward, but he shows himself capable of acts that require great courage and place him in considerable danger. Clarisse seems to always be of in her own world. She was a beautiful seventeen-year-old who introduces Montag to the world's potential for beauty and meaning with her gentle innocence and curiosity. She is an outcast from society because of her odd habits, which include hiking, playing with flowers, and asking questions. She asks questions such as, "Are you happy?
Society was confronted during an era when it questioned change in itself. For example Beatty said “and the books say nothing! Nothing you can teach or believe” (Bradbury 62). This shows that persevering against society will attract others to miss lead people; however they must follow themselves and set the path that they wish to continue down. How this show that is that Montag thought differently about the suppression of books, and became aware how society saw it. In addition Mrs. Phelps Mildred’s friend said “Why don’t you just read us one of those poems from your little book” (Bradbury 98). This shows that Montag had persevered against censorship until others were in dismay, and until they were at a point where they had to use others to help them defend themselves. How this shows that is when people persevere against others and their beliefs they will be recognized and others will try to tear them down. If people persist against society it will push back.
In Dystopian societies, conformity overrules curiosity, but occasionally people stand and rebel. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Clarisse and Mildred represent these two classes of people. they stand on opposite sides of the overall theme to think for yourself. The curiosity of Clarissa and the conformity of Mildred define the opposing sides of Juan Ramon Jimenez's quote, “If they give you ruled paper, write the other way,” by showing both effects in Montag and the rest of society.
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
Light, especially fire, and darkness are significantly reoccurring themes in Fahrenheit 451. Guy Montag, the main character, is a fireman, but in this futuristic world the job description of a fireman is to start fires wherever books are found; instead of putting them out. Montag takes a journey from a literary darkness to a knowledgeable light. This journey can be compared to the short story Allegory of the Cave by Plato, in which a prisoner experiences a similar journey. An example of light, in reference to knowledge, occurs just after Montag meets Clarisse for the first time. "When they reached her house all its lights were blazing" (9). Since Montag had rarely seen that many house lights on, I interpreted those lines as saying "that house is full of knowledge and enlightenment; not like the rest of the houses around here which are always dark." Clarisse went on to explain to Montag that her mother, father, and uncle were just sitting around and talking. This was also something that wasn't very commonplace in the city. Fire is an important element of symbolism in Fahrenheit 451. Fire consumes minds, spirits, men, ideas, and books. Fire plays two very different roles in this book. The role of a destructive, devouring, and life ending force, and the role of a nourishing flame.
The lost of connections with people, and when people don’t think for themselves can lead to a corrupt and violent society. Thats why in the novel Fahrenheit 451, Montag learns that when thinking for your own self you can achieve your goals. Having connections with other people like Clarisse and Montag is a good thing and not bad. They both learn that thinking different and have a real connection with other people can help society and not turn it into a corrupt and violent society.
Within the many layers of Montag lay several opposite sides. For example, Montag is a fireman who burns books for a living but at home, spends time reading novels, poetry, and other written material. Although Montag could be called a hypocrite, he does not enjoy both the reading and the burning at the same time; he goes through a change that causes him to love books. Humans have the power to change and grow from one extreme to another, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. In addition, when Mildred is with Montag, Montag does not have feelings for her but thinks of her as she is killed by the bombs. He possesses both the knowledge that Mildred does not love him and the heart that truly cares, but he knows not how to deal with this. His feelings are oppressed; it takes a major event (the bomb) to jolt them from hibernation.
Guy Montag’s wife, Mildred, is the epitome of conformity. She almost killed herself but still claimed to be happy because that was how society had told her to act. Clarisse and Mildred are complete opposites. As written in Novels for Students Vol. 1, “Clarisse is shown in contrast to Montag’s wife, who totally accepts the values of the society, even when it is harmful to her health. Clarisse does not like the social activities that most people in the society like” (Novels for Students 142). Mildred acts represents most of the members of society by conforming and supporting society’s views. Clarisse, as well as Montag, was not pleased with the way society was. They both resisted conformity by asserting their views. Montag felt especially constrained by his society and the conformity it fostered. This motivated him to resist it and find others who shared his views, such as Faber and
Guy Montag is a fireman who is greatly influenced in Ray Bradbury's novel, Fahrenheit 451. The job of a fireman in this futuristic society is to burn down houses with books in them. Montag has always enjoyed his job, that is until Clarisse McClellan comes along. Clarisse is seventeen and crazy. At least, this is what her uncle, whom she gets many of her ideas about the world from, describes her as. Clarisse and Montag befriend each other quickly, and Clarisse's impact on Montag is enormous. Clarisse comes into Montag's life, and immediately begins to question his relationship with his wife, his career, and his happiness. Also, Clarisse shows Montag how to appreciate the simple things in life. She teaches him to care about other people and their feelings. By the end of the novel, we can see that Montag is forever changed by Clarisse.