"Fahrenheit 451" and Guy Montag.

Essay by pradasnobHigh School, 10th gradeA+, June 2003

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Essay about Guy Montag

Throughout the book Fahrenheit 451, Guy Montag changes from a relatively "typical" fireman who follows the laws of his society into a person who challenges the laws and eventually becomes an "outcast".

In the book Clarisse McClellan, the 17-years old girl, questions Montag about his life now and the life he has always lived. Near the start of the book Clarisse asks Montag "are you happy" (10), a question that makes him admit later on that "he is not happy" (12).

The fact that Montag actually thinks about Clarisse's question later on and starts admitting to himself that he is not happy is a big step for Montag. In fact he shows how he is no longer living as "one" with society which focuses a lot about "happiness". Thereby, Clarisse is the first to encourage Montag on his way to self-awareness.

After Clarisse's question Montag starts thinking about his wife, Mildred, and whether they really love each other or not.

Therefore to find out, Montag asks Mildred if she remembers where they met the first time.

The fact that Montag actually asks Mildred if she remembered where they met the first time shows how Clarisse's question influenced Montag in many ways. Montag would not have asked Mildred about such a thing if he had not come into interaction with Clarisse, because before he met Clarisse he really did not think about how his life was. The fact is that neither Mildred nor Montag remembers where they met the first time. He realizes that he is unhappy in his relationship with his wife, Millie, who is unwilling to deal with reality and instead chooses to immerse herself in an obsession to tranquilizers the virtual world provided by her television and radio.

Montag did not read books...