Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451 uses the events of a twenty-fourth century fictional world where all intellectual curiosity and hunger for knowledge must be quelled for the good of the state—for conformity—to illustrate to readers of today that human society can easily become oppressive and strictly regimented unless it changes its tendency toward suppression of an individual’s innate rights. In the fictional world of Guy Montag and Captain Beatty, it is believed that without ideas, everyone will conform, and as a result, everyone should be happy. When books and new ideas are available to people, conflict and unhappiness occurs. However, Montag’s encounters with Clarisse, the old woman, and Faber ignite in Montag the spark of doubt about this approach. His resultant search for knowledge destroys the unquestioning ignorance he used to share with nearly everyone else, and he battles the basic beliefs of his society. Bradbury shows through the development of Montag’s character that people must have the freedom to think for themselves and to act on their ideas—to be individuals. As Montag opens his eyes …show more content…
Clarisse puts thoughts into his mind, which causes him to ponder thoughts like ‘I’m not happy,’ ‘Why does Mildred keep on forgetting that she already took pills?’ and ‘Why do we burn books?’ She also explains the truth of history, the history behind his occupation and society, and how Montag isn’t like the other people that she’s met. Everyday, Montag talks with Clarisse after work and sometimes follow what Clarisse has said - drive slowly, think, taste the rain, and rub a dandelion under his chin to see of he’s in love - but during a week, he never saw her again. He asked Mildred about it and she replied that Clarisse died four days ago. This causes Montag to be angry as to why Mildred didn’t tell him