Clarisse: A Vital and Unique Character
“Clarisse is an odd duck by this new world’s standards” says writer John Wiley. This statement accurately describes Clarisse because many would say she is odd. Clarisse’s daily actions include watching people, looking at the moon and smelling flowers. In a normal society, these actions are traditional, but because the society in Fahrenheit 451 is revolved around technology, these actions are not typical. Even though, society views Clarisse as weird, Guy Montag sees her as an unique individual. Clarisse McClellan is a 17-year old teen ,who lives next to Montag and rebels against society. Her actions have an impact on Montag himself and many other aspects of the novel. Clarisse plays a major role in developing …show more content…
According to journalist Kevin Hoskinson, Clarisse is “aware of her surroundings… and a simple, nature-loving girl” (344). Due to the futuristic setting of Fahrenheit 451, technology is a prevalent factor in society. Therefore, nature and the wilderness are considered to be simple because technology is far advanced and complicated. A majority of the times when Clarisse is seen by Montag, she is outside enjoying nature. Clarisse is described to be mellow because “She believes in old-fashioned values, dreams, and aspirations and talks about the beauty in the smell of a flower or in the soft feel of grass” (Wiley). Wiley believes the sole reason Clarisse is laid back is because she connects with nature, unlike others who connect with technology. Similarly, Montag describes Clarisse’s physical features in comparison with nature. For example, Montag elaborates “her face bright as snow in the moonlight… her eyes were two miraculous bits of violet amber that might capture and hold him intact” (Bradbury 5). These two examples prove that Montag relates Clarisse’s simple lifestyle to the simplicity of …show more content…
More importantly, she commends her uncle for teaching her to rebel against society. This is extraordinary that Clarisse is committed to following her uncle’s guidance and that she does not surrender into society’s trends. According to the story, Clarisse is so strange that she is forced to see a psychiatrist. However, Clarisse tells Montag “It’s so strange. I’m very social indeed. It all depends on what you mean by social, doesn’t it? Social to me means talking to you about things like this” (McGiveron). This statement proves to Montag that Clarisse is different from the others. She enjoys “odd habits, which include hiking, playing with flowers, and asking questions” which is unusual in a world full of technology (“Character List”). This behavior was taught to Clarisse by her parents and uncle. She explains, “just my mother and father and uncle sitting around, talking… we’re most peculiar” (Bradbury 7). ‘Normal’ families would sit around and watch the parlor walls instead of talking like the McClellans. Overall, due to Clarisse’s background and childhood, she has been able to resist the pressure that society placed upon her to act
“Clarisse is an odd duck by this new world’s standards” says writer John Wiley. This statement accurately describes Clarisse because many would say she is odd. Clarisse’s daily actions include watching people, looking at the moon and smelling flowers. In a normal society, these actions are traditional, but because the society in Fahrenheit 451 is revolved around technology, these actions are not typical. Even though, society views Clarisse as weird, Guy Montag sees her as an unique individual. Clarisse McClellan is a 17-year old teen ,who lives next to Montag and rebels against society. Her actions have an impact on Montag himself and many other aspects of the novel. Clarisse plays a major role in developing …show more content…
According to journalist Kevin Hoskinson, Clarisse is “aware of her surroundings… and a simple, nature-loving girl” (344). Due to the futuristic setting of Fahrenheit 451, technology is a prevalent factor in society. Therefore, nature and the wilderness are considered to be simple because technology is far advanced and complicated. A majority of the times when Clarisse is seen by Montag, she is outside enjoying nature. Clarisse is described to be mellow because “She believes in old-fashioned values, dreams, and aspirations and talks about the beauty in the smell of a flower or in the soft feel of grass” (Wiley). Wiley believes the sole reason Clarisse is laid back is because she connects with nature, unlike others who connect with technology. Similarly, Montag describes Clarisse’s physical features in comparison with nature. For example, Montag elaborates “her face bright as snow in the moonlight… her eyes were two miraculous bits of violet amber that might capture and hold him intact” (Bradbury 5). These two examples prove that Montag relates Clarisse’s simple lifestyle to the simplicity of …show more content…
More importantly, she commends her uncle for teaching her to rebel against society. This is extraordinary that Clarisse is committed to following her uncle’s guidance and that she does not surrender into society’s trends. According to the story, Clarisse is so strange that she is forced to see a psychiatrist. However, Clarisse tells Montag “It’s so strange. I’m very social indeed. It all depends on what you mean by social, doesn’t it? Social to me means talking to you about things like this” (McGiveron). This statement proves to Montag that Clarisse is different from the others. She enjoys “odd habits, which include hiking, playing with flowers, and asking questions” which is unusual in a world full of technology (“Character List”). This behavior was taught to Clarisse by her parents and uncle. She explains, “just my mother and father and uncle sitting around, talking… we’re most peculiar” (Bradbury 7). ‘Normal’ families would sit around and watch the parlor walls instead of talking like the McClellans. Overall, due to Clarisse’s background and childhood, she has been able to resist the pressure that society placed upon her to act