Direct Characterization Fahrenheit 451

In Fahrenheit 451, the author, Ray Bradbury uses characterization as an opportunity to highlight the unique qualities that symbolize the inner desires, of the story’s most dynamic character, Guy Montag. Bradbury reveals how the characters interactions with Montag, inspire him and allows him to begin thinking and asking himself questions. The individual thinking that begins, allows Montag to encounter like-minded characters who give him the courage to begin his journey of change. Clarisse, Mildred, the woman at the house fire, Faber, Captain Beatty, and Granger, all illustrate that engaging in conversations with people encourages thinking as opposed to simply receiving orders that lead to impersonating others. Bradbury’s use of these characters allows the reader to

Bradbury uses characterization to demonstrate the process that Montag goes through to become an independent thinker.
Clarisse is a breath of fresh air to Montag. She is young and chooses to ignore the conditioning of her society. She is observant of people and everything else in the world around her and has no fear of asking Montag questions. She is the first character who engages in deep conversations with Montag. Clarisse stuns Montag during their first encounter by asking many questions and sharing her thoughts and ideas. She asks if Montag is happy, but she quickly runs off towards her house, without waiting for a response (Bradbury and Gaiman 7). Montag doesn’t understand why she would ask such a ridiculous question, however, he can’t stop thinking about it. He has only had one other peculiar conversation, where he communicated like this and it was about a year ago, with an old man in the park (Bradbury and Gaiman 8). This has been a long and extraordinary day, so he decides to go to bed. When he walks into the bedroom that he