Fahrenheit 451 Character Analysis Essay

Montag escaping the Hearth The Hearth and the Salamander, legends say that a Salamander is able to live in the fire without being consumed by it. The Salamander is Montag. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Montag is the main protagonist who classifies as a proud fireman. Rather than a normal fireman who puts out fires, he starts fires in this dystopian society. Specifically, targeting people who own literature. The people in this society do not engage with books, those who do are killed. Many people are influenced by technology such as “parlor walls” which is a television in modern days and “seashells” or earbuds. Montag was part of these ideas until he met Clarrise McClellan. A girl who rebels against society’s norms

As Montag and Clarisse’s relationship advanced, he gained more access to literature works. Hence, he decided to commit an action that might not be respected by his boss or community. He stole a book from the old lady’s house. He witnesses the lady burn herself for books and can’t wrap his head around this idea. Montag questions things around him. “How did you get so empty? He wondered. Who takes it out of you? And that awful flower the other day, the dandelion! It has summed up everything. Hadn’t it? “What a shame! You’re not in love with anyone!” And why not?” (Bradbury 44) Montag questions what is the reason why Mildred is not the same person as before. Montag is frustrated, overwhelmed, and perplexed by books. As he becomes disillusioned with the world. He searches for answers within books. But Montag’s boss Beatty warned him about the consequences of integrating too much into books. “ At least once in his career, every fireman gets an itch. What do the books say, he wonders. Oh, to scratch that itch, eh? Well, Montag, take my word for it. I’ve had to read a few in my time, to know what I was about, and the books say nothing! Nothing you can teach or believe.” (Bradbury 62) Beatty reveals truths within the community and it stimulates Montag to learn more about books. Montag also runs into Faber. Faber is an all-knowing person, as he helps Montag save their history. As Montag unlocks more about the

The book highlights the issue of censorship and a tyrannical government; in which the government has control over the people and information. Montag's rebelling against the government highlights the importance of questioning authority and the world. The government sees books as a threat. History is able to allow people to have a sense of what is going on and how it is going on. But without knowledge, the people have no other choice but to rely on the government for sources of information. The book addresses censorship and restrictions on information. Montag’s character development shows the process of overcoming the government’s censorship policy. Some may argue that censorship of literature is to avoid conflict among the people. “Colored people don’t like Little Black Sambo. Burn it. White people don’t feel good about Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Bur it. Someone’s written a book on tobacco and cancer of the lungs? The cigarette people are weeping? Burn the book. Serenity, Montag. Peace, Montag. Take your fight outside. Better yet, into the incinerator…” (Bradbury 59) Beatty addressed the reason why books are being burned. It is due to mainly people being offended by the book's content. If everyone gets offended by the book, then all of them will be burnt. Which leaves us with no more books. To enforce peace in society, it has to be controlled by the government with the