-A person may need someone to lead them on the path of intellect and act as their catalyst to change when they are in blissful ignorance. -In the novel, “Fahrenheit 541” by Ray Bradbury, Guy Montag is trapped in his own ignorant universe. Montag meets his intuitive teenage neighbor, Clarisse McClellan, who significantly influences his decision to interpret his existence and change the path of his life. Clarisse becomes his catalyst after saving him with her curiosities and wisdom. Montag initially starts to ponder on himself and undergoes a mental shift as a result of Clarisse's questioning about him. She makes Montag experience his feelings at last. She alters Montag’s perception of the society he lives in and his line of work. Clarisse has a good influence on Montag, leading him to reflect on …show more content…
According to Montag, “ It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed” Bradbury, 1953, pages 1). Montag was a man who loved being a fireman and preferred to watch books burn to the ground in order to learn more and feel pleased by his actions. -Clarisse starts questioning Montag as soon as they meet and she starts pushing him to think. "Are you happy?" she said. "Am I what?" he cried... Of course I'm happy. What does she think? I'm not?..”(Bradbury, 1953, pages 7&8). His defensive answer conveys his hesitation, and it almost seems as though he is outraged by the idea. He's started to reflect on his life. -Clarisse challenges him to consider his work and the position of firefighters, which leads to a change in his beliefs. “He pressed at the pain in his eyes and suddenly the odor of kerosene made him vomit” (Bradbury, 1953, page 53). He used to think that burning books was an incredible life, but his beliefs and connections to his work changed. Clarisse's questions caused him to open up to the harsh realities of society and realize that what he was doing was