Examples Of Montag's Transformation In Fahrenheit 451

As the great Albert Einstein once said, “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything,” this represents the society in Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury. The protagonist of the novel, Guy Montag, challenges society’s deranged ways while transforming into a more thoughtful, reflective individual. Bradbury uses characters and events to show Montag’s transformation throughout the novel. Using Clarisse McClellan as a catalyst, Ray Bradbury begins to create an inner-conflict within Montag. When McClellan asks Montag, “Are you happy?”(pg. 7), it provokes new thoughts and ideas within Montag, evoking a major change. Montag goes from someone who conforms to society into a more reflective individual. Soon after Clarisse asks her infamous, provocative, question, Montag begins showing the after-effects claiming he, “doesn't know anything anymore,” (pg. 15). Initially, his scepticism clouded his judgement, but gradually he starts noticing how corrupt his society really is. Walking home to see his wife’s attempted suicide put his happiness into perspective. One of the next few …show more content…
A darker element emerges, like a blend of a more daring individual and a detached being. With Faber's help, Montag goes through a major transformation and decides to defy Beatty, his former boss, claiming, “That’s the good part about dying; when you’ve got nothing to lose, you run any risk you want.” (pg. 81). Nothing good comes fromit, and Pulled back and forth between Faber's words from the listening device in his ear and the cynical sneers and gibes of Beatty, who cites lines from so many works of literature that he dazzles his adversary, Montag moves blindly to the fire truck when an alarm sounds. Beatty, who rarely drives, takes the wheel and propels the fire truck toward the next target — Montag's