How Does Guy Montag Conform

In Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, Guy Montag portrays a character that lives a fake existence, conforming to the artificial society around him, which later makes him question and brings him to a realization about his society, life and himself as a whole. For instance, Montag conforms to his society by never questioning or wondering about why he lives the life he does as a fireman. Instead, Montag adapts to the dysfunctional society and never thinks twice about his life or the society around him. Granted, Montag then starts questioning his society and himself after meeting a special person that promotes Montag’s curiosity and questioning. Finally, Montag comes to a realization about his society and himself after he presents himself with …show more content…
For example, when Montag first meets Clarisse he immediately notices a part of her that differs from other people he knows. In other words, Clarisse McClellan does not fit the role of a typical teenager or person in this flawed society. In fact, Clarisse does not partake in watching “the ‘parlor walls’ or (going) to races or Fun Parks” like other teenagers do for entertainment. Instead, with her “dark eyes so fixed to the world” she observes, notices and questions her society (3). For instance, Clarisse inquires to Montag “how (long he has) worked at being a fireman” (5). However, for the first time Montag notices that Clarisse’s personality consists of having interest in other people besides herself. Hence, the question that Clarisse inquires to Montag that launches a huge impact on his questioning of his society and himself is the simple question, “Are you happy” (3). Granted, this question confuses and startles Montag. In particular, the question promotes Montag to reevaluate his society and himself because he never tried to understand it, or decipher if it truly makes him happy. Finally, because of Clarisse’s curious mind, Montag comes to a realization and almost an epiphany about his dystopian society and