How Does Montag Present Unique Insights Into The Future

Over time, science fiction novels have presented unique insights into the future, with both imaginative thinking and radical possibilities for the world. These can involve drastic alterations to people, society, morals, and specifically, technology. While technology can have plenty of obvious advantages, it can also have just as many disadvantages with excessive abuse and manipulation over people. Acclaimed science fiction writer, Ray Bradbury, brought new perspectives to the possible detriments of technology, just when it was beginning to develop with typewriters and thirteen-inch, black and white television screens. In the sixty-three years of writing he did, Bradbury created a myriad number of diverse characters in hundreds of various situations,

While introducing herself in the beginning of the book, she simply describes herself as seventeen and crazy; this quickly becomes evident to Montag as they walked and talked, which did not happen often in society, on the way home. Clarisse begins to chronicle her own personality and family, both of which greatly contrast from the status quo, while describing to Montag how they like to talk, take long walks, and drive slow on the highway, noticing the small things in life. Puzzled, yet intrigued by his new neighbor, Montag wants to learn more about her, as does Clarisse about him. For the duration of the walk home, she asks him thought-provoking questions, to which he answers with narrow-minded statements, eventually causing Clarisse to think that he has not explored life enough; that he has never bothered to ponder about subject matters other than being a fireman. Nearing the end of their stroll, Clarisse suddenly “seems to remember something” and she comes to ask Montag “with wonder and curiosity, ‘Are you happy?”’ (Bradbury 14). Despite being quick to answer yes, Montag goes home and for the rest of the night, he wonders if he really was happy. These walks home from work became routine, always coupled with probing questions of curiosity, which ultimately result in Montag beginning to scrutinize the principles of being a fireman.