Seeing Reality “For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain you lose something else.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson. With ignorance comes bliss, and with knowledge comes power. In ignorance, people may live happy and care-free lives, but at the expense of knowing what’s going on around then. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Guy Montag, a cocksure fireman living in a society of like-minded people, develops a powerful relationship with Clarisse, a unique teenager that questions the world around her, who allows Montag to finally see the world around him with open eyes. Before meeting Clarisse, Montag is self-absorbed and full of himself, and is an empty shell in a sea of many. Walking home from work one
…show more content…
Later, going to sleep, he would feel the fiery smile still gripped by his face muscles, in the dark. It never went away, that smile, it never ever went away, as long as he remembered. “(2) Looking at this, Montag thinks he is higher than everyone else, when in reality he is the same as all others, describing himself as a “minstrel man” and all the while winking at himself. In addition, his arrogance has never before wavered and has always been there, even in his sleep. As a result, Montag believes he is above everyone else and has always maintained this thought. On his way home, Montag meets the inquisitive Clarisse McClellan and they soon have a strong connection that changes Montag forever. “The lawn was empty, the trees empty, the street empty, and while he did not even know he missed her or was even looking for her, […] He almost turned back to make the walk again, to give her time to appear. “(29) After meeting Montag, she has helped him realize the world around him is empty and shallow along with the people in it. Montag also misses her subconsciously and yearns to have another meaningful conversation with her. Finally, their relationship is deep enough that Montag craves having a conversation with her that has actual
Later, going to sleep, he would feel the fiery smile still gripped by his face muscles, in the dark. It never went away, that smile, it never ever went away, as long as he remembered. “(2) Looking at this, Montag thinks he is higher than everyone else, when in reality he is the same as all others, describing himself as a “minstrel man” and all the while winking at himself. In addition, his arrogance has never before wavered and has always been there, even in his sleep. As a result, Montag believes he is above everyone else and has always maintained this thought. On his way home, Montag meets the inquisitive Clarisse McClellan and they soon have a strong connection that changes Montag forever. “The lawn was empty, the trees empty, the street empty, and while he did not even know he missed her or was even looking for her, […] He almost turned back to make the walk again, to give her time to appear. “(29) After meeting Montag, she has helped him realize the world around him is empty and shallow along with the people in it. Montag also misses her subconsciously and yearns to have another meaningful conversation with her. Finally, their relationship is deep enough that Montag craves having a conversation with her that has actual