Change In Fahrenheit 451, By Ray Bradbury

“Change is the only thing constant in life” (Heraclitus). Change may be a constant part of life, but in the novel, Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, the society in which Montag lives is resistant to change. They never question the rules the government has given them, believing these rules are the right way to live. The main character, Montag, however, may be open to change and he undergoes a serious transformation throughout the story. In the beginning of the book, Montag is a content member of society, following the rules and regulations set forth by the government. However, as the story progresses, he begins to question the world around him and ultimately becomes a rebel against his oppressive society. At the beginning of the novel,

Montag goes to see Faber because he is curious about the knowledge in books and wants to learn more about why books are being burned. When Faber asks Montag why he seems so upset, Montag says, “I don’t know. We have everything we need to be happy, but we aren’t happy. Something’s missing … The only thing I positively knew was gone with the books I’d burned in ten or twelve years. So I thought books might help” (Bradbury 78). Montag has the growing realization that he isn’t happy even though he has everything. He realizes that his society isn’t healthy and he is beginning to understand that everyone has been led to believe that things are good the way they are, but Montag is starting to question this belief. He is starting to understand the importance of knowledge and thinks that reading books will help him understand more about his life. This quote shows Montag’s curiosity in the sense that he is no longer satisfied with the way things are. Montag is no longer content with the status quo and is frustrated with the society he lives in. He is searching for answers and his curiosity is driving him to seek knowledge in books. This is one of the first times Montag is starting to change and foreshadows that even greater change will happen later in the novel as his curiosity begins to

Montag has decided to join a group of professors and other educated people have tried to memorize the important books before they are burned. The group is venturing into the world with this knowledge. “We’ll just start walking today and see the world … I want to see everything now … I’ll get hold of it so it’ll never run off. I’ll hold onto the world tight some day. I’ve got one finger on it now; that’s a beginning” (154-155). Montag’s eyes have been opened to all of the possibilities in the world. He wants to explore the world right away. He doesn’t want to wait. He is no longer willing to be content with the rules of society. This reflects Montag’s desire to experience life beyond the strict limits of his society. He doesn’t want to miss anything out in the rest of the world and no longer wants to be censored. Montag has taken his first steps into the world beyond the restrictive dictates of his