Montag's Growth In Fahrenheit 451

Through the entirety of Ray Bradbury's novel, Fahrenheit 451, nearly every rebellious thought, action, and revelation that displayed Montag's character growth can stem from his relationship with Clarisse McClellan. It was through the inspiration and prodding of the ebulliently curious teen that prompted Montag to start making changes in his life by simply allowing himself to really think about things. She was the one who truly opened his eyes to the world, causing him to loathe what his society had become, and tread the path of self-discovery. Be as it may that there were other figures of inspiration that helped guide Montag later on in the novel, such as Faber and Granger, it is all thanks to Clarisse that Montag's initially suppressed character

Compared to Clarisse, Mildred is so insignificant to Montag that he even confesses this to his wife in a fit of pent-up frustration during a one-sided argument; "She was the first person in a good many years I've really liked. She was the first person I can remember who looked straight at me as if I counted." (33). Here, Montag is referring to Clarisse, and revealing to both Mildred and to himself that it was Clarisse McClellan who sparked something inside of him, something that would later drive him to confront his inner demons and deal with the guilt he has been carrying on his shoulders since the very day he started his career as a fireman. Through his self- intervention, he comprehends his utter disgust towards his coworkers, and even himself, as shown in the quotation when Montag vents to Mildred; "And Clarisse. You never talked to her. I talked to her… Why should they [the firemen] be so afraid of someone like her? But I kept putting her alongside the firemen in the house last night, and I suddenly realized I didn't like them at all, and I didn't like myself at all anymore. And I thought maybe it was best if the firemen themselves were burnt." (32). Montag is saying this after the death of Clarisse, and revealing things that he would never have fathomed to say before. But Montag is now

However, although this moment was a distinctive one in the novel, it was still Clarisse who actually urged him to take action by being aware and noticing the things that surrounded him. It would be wrong to say that Clarisse is the one who planted the seed of curiosity in Montag's head, as Montag had signs of intellectual hunger he did not know he had, long before he met the young adolescent. But it is, however, correct to state that it was Clarisse who gave Montag the courage to explore his identity crisis, and the courage to come to terms with his lifeless marital relationship, along with all his other empty relationships in his