The main character of Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, is Guy Montag. Montag is a firefighter, a burner of books, with very limited perspective on the flawed society he lives in. As the book progresses, Montag experiences many uncomfortable feelings as he starts to learn the consequences of his role. Montag goes from an ignorant participant to a discontented rebel.
The book opens with a detailed description of Montag, his burning of a house, and his “fiery grin”. Montag describes burning as a pleasure, and whistles as he walks home. Montag seems, for all intents and purposes, to be happy. Going along with his daily job of being a burner of all literature, he is content with enforcing the rules of his disturbed society.
When Montag meets his new neighbor, Clarisse McClellan, he is immediately unsettled. Clarisse is one of the many influences that push Montag away from being a firefighter, she shows him what it is like to be different, and what he could possibly be (and what it’s like to NOT follow the rules). Another turning point was when the firefighters went to burn a house and the women was still …show more content…
Firehouse Captain Beatty and Montag's wife Mildred have the most impact on him. Captain Beatty is the perfect firefighter. He tells Montag that everything they are doing is worth it, and they are helping people and making others happy. When Montag starts to become more confused and starts to resist authority, Captain Beatty visits him to reassure him, but actually ends up driving Montag farther away. Montag's wife Mildred doesn't understand Montag's feelings, she represents the perfect citizen. She always watches the parlor walls and listens to her seashells. She never lives in the moment or really thinks about anything. She took all her sleeping pills then denied it the next day, making Montag feel like they are both going
The book opens with a detailed description of Montag, his burning of a house, and his “fiery grin”. Montag describes burning as a pleasure, and whistles as he walks home. Montag seems, for all intents and purposes, to be happy. Going along with his daily job of being a burner of all literature, he is content with enforcing the rules of his disturbed society.
When Montag meets his new neighbor, Clarisse McClellan, he is immediately unsettled. Clarisse is one of the many influences that push Montag away from being a firefighter, she shows him what it is like to be different, and what he could possibly be (and what it’s like to NOT follow the rules). Another turning point was when the firefighters went to burn a house and the women was still …show more content…
Firehouse Captain Beatty and Montag's wife Mildred have the most impact on him. Captain Beatty is the perfect firefighter. He tells Montag that everything they are doing is worth it, and they are helping people and making others happy. When Montag starts to become more confused and starts to resist authority, Captain Beatty visits him to reassure him, but actually ends up driving Montag farther away. Montag's wife Mildred doesn't understand Montag's feelings, she represents the perfect citizen. She always watches the parlor walls and listens to her seashells. She never lives in the moment or really thinks about anything. She took all her sleeping pills then denied it the next day, making Montag feel like they are both going