Montag's Transformation In Fahrenheit 451

In the dystopian novel, Fahrenheit 451, author Ray Bradbury transforms protagonist, Guy Montag, through the interaction of subordinate character and seventeen year old girl, Clarisse McClellan. In the genesis of the novel, naive fireman Guy Montag burns books because in his controlled society books are illegal. Montag views his job as pure and kindling to the society instead of realizing the destruction it causes. Bradbury creates a society that feels threatened by anyone who is more intellectual than another and this encouraged lack of knowledge results in ignorance and ignorant people are easier to control. However, as the novel progresses Montag becomes a man he was nothing like before as he develops a new outlook on the society after meeting

At the start of the novel, Montag appears content with himself, his occupation, and the society for he goes about the world and his work never once stopping to question it all. Bradbury’s narration depicts Montag as a proud man who finds satisfaction within his job for early on he states how “It was a pleasure to burn. It was a pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed” (3). Montag has no idea of the tremendous change he is about to undergo. “With (Clarisse's) eyes so dark and shining and alive,” Montag notices the girl for the first time after returning home one moonlit evening on a sidewalk near their homes (4). The conversation commences with Clarisse commenting on his occupation as a fireman and the scent of kerosene Montag carries. The conversation creates a pivotal moment where Montag is introduced to Clarisse's unique charisma. Montag goes on to tell her the gas means “nothing but perfume” to him (5). Montag’s response emphasizes how cluelessly naive Montag is about the level of destruction his job causes and how it isn’t only about burning

Montag remembered how Clarisse pointed out that he “needed to be really bothered once in awhile” and went on to ask him, “How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?” (52). Clarisse was able to deeply “bother” him and bring to his attention the important issues of war, burning books, and the overuse of materialistic items (52). After her death he starts to truly question again if he is happy and soon after comes to conclusion that he isn’t for he notices how “Nobody listens any more” and Clarisse was the one person who did (78). Bradbury selects Clarisse as the character who provides an eye opening epiphany for Montag even though he didn’t see it coming. Clarisse is the single person that shakes him out of his brain-washed narrow minded ways through her curiosity, wonder, and ability to keep asking questions. His previous ignorance leads him to believe that the books were wrong and bad. Over the course of the novel, he realizes that books are made instead to inform, educate, and enlighten. He begins to become passionate about saving and preserving the books and more disgusted with the