Purity In Fahrenheit 451, By Ray Bradbury

The acclaimed Christian minister and author Josh McDowell once said, “I’ve never had anyone define purity. You probably can’t define purity. Purity is to live by ones own design” (brainyquotes.com). The novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury depicts the enlightenment of a man named Guy Montag. In the society that the novel portrays, literature is prohibited while technology has replaced human interaction, and the need for it. In order to enforce laws outlawing books, firemen are compensated to, instead of extinguishing fires, ignite fires in order to eliminate books from existence. Montag was employed as a fireman until he meets two people who have already become enlightened. A 17 year-old social outcast named Clarisse, and a craven ex-English

Early in the novel, Montag meets a girl named Clarisse McClellan; her peers alienate her because of her love for nature, and all things that are alive, in other words everything that is against the normal of society. Unlike many of her peers she has not been exposed to so many fugitive chases, murders, or virtual realities. Clarisse’s immaculateness is her defining trait; Bradbury often bestows upon her the symbolism of whiteness because of her innocence and curiosity. For example, in Montag’s first meeting with Clarisse we see her ghost-like essence. Bradbury

One obvious difference between the two is ho they are described, Clarisse’s house and land is described as bright, lit, and moon colored, while all other houses are described as dark. Common sense tells one that it is challenging to see in the dark yet possible and plausible that one would see in the light. Perhaps Bradbury is pointing at Clarisse’s family being the ones who can truly see the truth in society, while other houses are blind. Also, Clarisse’s house is the only house that does not conform to the others; perhaps Bradbury is also making a point of his views of those who think for themselves and those who conform to the social normalcy. Earlier in the book, Clarisse pointed out how there is dew on her grass in the morning. This made Montag feel highly uncomfortable because he forgot if he had known that or not. In a society that goes 100 MPR all the time, we realize just how they overlook the little things like dew on grass. Yet, in this quotation we see Montag notice the lawn and the shade of it, this is an overlooked point where Montag shows change. Montag also notices the family’s laughter and how natural it is. This makes the reader wonder the last time Montag has heard genuine laughter, not evil maniacal laughter, but laughter that comes from human instinct. Clarisse house is the only house in which the people are thinking, it is also the only house,