Fahrenheit 451 Research Paper

The Struggle of Subversives in Fahrenheit 451

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” - Martin Luther King Jr.. The concept of choice is one prevalent in Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. The society created by Bradbury in the novel is one where the people are virtually without the means to make choices. People are ignorant to the world of others, and even their own, mindlessly accepting whatever information authority or the media hands to them. This is perpetuated by the illegality of reading books. Most individuals in this world seek no alternative to their situation,

Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, desires a richer human experience which he seeks through these banned books. Throughout the novel, Montag’s develops as he transitions from a conformist someone who pursues understanding and freedom through his struggles and interactions with others, demonstrating the idea that despite the difficulty and sacrifice demanded, the pursuit of knowledge and truth should be chosen over ignorance.

Montag, in the same manner as the rest of his society, does not challenge institutions and clings to false happiness until two major events catalyze his change in perception. The text states, “And then Clarisse McClellan said…’Do you ever read any of the books you burn?’ He [Montag] laughed. ‘That’s against the law!’” (Bradbury 12). Montag casually denies Clarisse’s question, utterly surprised by the idea that he would even think to disobey the law and read the books he easily has access to. This lays the framework for the rest of their conversation, wherein

Montag realizes the true and personal impacts of his work as a fireman watching a woman burn with her books; he observes, “The woman replied quietly ‘I want to stay here’...She opened the fingers of one hand slightly and in the palm of her hand was a single slender object...The woman’s hand twitched on the single matchstick. The fumes of kerosene bloomed up about her.” (Bradbury 43). Previously, he had thought that his actions only had material victims, however, he realizes that there are people who will lay down their lives for knowledge, that there is something of such value within books that people would embrace martyrdom for the sake of dissent. Overall, he finds it very upsetting that the woman burned to death and is majorly discouraged from continuing to work as a fireman, questioning the basis of their society. Additionally, Mildred tells him, “The same girl. [Clarisse] McClellan. McClellan. Run over by a car. Four days ago. I’m not sure. But I think she’s dead. The family moved out anyway. I don’t know. But I think she’s dead….I forgot all about it.” (Bradbury 51). Montag is devastated. Not only because his good friend is presumably dead, but also because Mildred shows no concern or empathy whatsoever and