There are many character opposites in literature. Opposites tend to highlight certain qualities or characteristics of the other. For example, in the Harry Potter series, Lord Voldemort greatly contrasts Professor Dumbledore. Dumbledore is kind and a good person while Voldemort is extremely cruel, vicious, and evil. While they are different, they do have some similarities. They are both very powerful and lead a group of followers. However, their differences tend to show how they are opposites. These pairs of opposites are known as foils in literature. Another relevant foil is in the novel Fahrenheit 451. Mildred, the protagonist’s wife, and Clarisse, an acquaintance of the protagonist. These two foils allow readers to identify important characteristics
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Montag is the protagonist/anti-hero who rebels against society 's regulations concerning books. Captain Beatty is Montag’s boss who secretly knew of Montag’s illegal actions all along. Both men are rather similar. They both are firefighters who are intelligent and they both have had an interest in books. However, their perspective is very different. Beatty once had an interest in books but “gave them up”. (Who is Guy’s foil in Fahrenheit 451? enotes) Montag’s interest in books has just begun. Even though Montag has been considered to be an anti-hero, if we think of him as the protagonist, Beatty could be the antagonist, adding to the opposite characteristics. Montag does not agree with the regulations for books while Beatty does because he thinks books lead to confusion and disorder. (Who is Guy’s foil in Fahrenheit 451? …show more content…
Mildred is Montag’s emotionally distracted wife that spends most of her days watching television and interacting with the “family”, electronic characters who interact with people through television throughout the society. Clarisse is a young teenager who is met by Montag and intrigues him to think differently, before she mysteriously disappears suddenly. Clarisse and Mildred have many opposite qualities. Montag has stronger feelings for Clarisse, rather than his ironic weaker feelings for his spouse, Mildred. This is supported when Mildred when Montag says “You’re not sure of it!” (Bradbury 44) and “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” (Bradbury 45). He clearly cares for Clarisse more than his own wife. This conflict of feelings is supported when Bradbury describes Clarisse’s astounding features (9), leading to the conclusion that Clarisse had an very powerful impression of Montag. Clarisse inspired Montag, whereas Mildred unintentionally ended up attempting to hold Montag back. Bradbury says “...at first he did not even know he missed her or was even looking for her...there were vague stirrings of dis-ease in him.” (29). From Montag’s concern for Clarisse when Mildred informs him of her death , it can be assumed that Clarisse ultimately motivated Montag to rebel against higher power. Additionally, Clarisse, is the forerunner of the spiritual revitalization. (Character Analysis Clarisse McClellan
Montag is the protagonist/anti-hero who rebels against society 's regulations concerning books. Captain Beatty is Montag’s boss who secretly knew of Montag’s illegal actions all along. Both men are rather similar. They both are firefighters who are intelligent and they both have had an interest in books. However, their perspective is very different. Beatty once had an interest in books but “gave them up”. (Who is Guy’s foil in Fahrenheit 451? enotes) Montag’s interest in books has just begun. Even though Montag has been considered to be an anti-hero, if we think of him as the protagonist, Beatty could be the antagonist, adding to the opposite characteristics. Montag does not agree with the regulations for books while Beatty does because he thinks books lead to confusion and disorder. (Who is Guy’s foil in Fahrenheit 451? …show more content…
Mildred is Montag’s emotionally distracted wife that spends most of her days watching television and interacting with the “family”, electronic characters who interact with people through television throughout the society. Clarisse is a young teenager who is met by Montag and intrigues him to think differently, before she mysteriously disappears suddenly. Clarisse and Mildred have many opposite qualities. Montag has stronger feelings for Clarisse, rather than his ironic weaker feelings for his spouse, Mildred. This is supported when Mildred when Montag says “You’re not sure of it!” (Bradbury 44) and “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” (Bradbury 45). He clearly cares for Clarisse more than his own wife. This conflict of feelings is supported when Bradbury describes Clarisse’s astounding features (9), leading to the conclusion that Clarisse had an very powerful impression of Montag. Clarisse inspired Montag, whereas Mildred unintentionally ended up attempting to hold Montag back. Bradbury says “...at first he did not even know he missed her or was even looking for her...there were vague stirrings of dis-ease in him.” (29). From Montag’s concern for Clarisse when Mildred informs him of her death , it can be assumed that Clarisse ultimately motivated Montag to rebel against higher power. Additionally, Clarisse, is the forerunner of the spiritual revitalization. (Character Analysis Clarisse McClellan