In Fahrenheit 451 Montag, challenges his society inwardly. He ponders the different aspects of life while talking to Clarise, who indirectly influenced him to rebel. At first, Montag stows away books due to his curiosity, however after meeting Clarisse he begins to read them. Clarrise is a young girl who does not conform to the government. Clarisse greatly influences Montags shift as a character to becoming more intelligent and understanding of the brainwashing the government is enforcing. Ray Bradbury utilizes Montag as a character and his reluctance to conform internally to address issues in the society regarding ignorance; Montag does not conform internally by secretly pursuing knowledge and books. The burning of books is performed by firemen as an attempt to shield the people from the knowledge within the books and keep the government in control. By taking away the books, people begin to become ignorant and mindless. Montag conforms outwardly …show more content…
The burning and killing of the old woman and her house is one part that leads Montag towards his enlightenment. The woman had books in her home and she refused to leave her home, resulting in her death. Beatty felt no shame in leaving her to burn while Montag found this act to be morally wrong: Beatty says “Besides fanatics always try suicide; the patterns familiar”(Bradbury 39) as if this is a common occurrence and something to take lightly. Montag argues to take her out of the house, but Beatty and the old woman insist to leave her. Another example which leads to his enlightenment is his conversation with Clarrise when she asks him “Are you happy?” (Bradbury 10). Due to how the society is structured, Montag had really never thought about this, which was exactly what the government wanted. Montag begins to realize how dissatisfied he is with his life and relationships from his conversation with