Another common argument asserting the claim that meeting Clarisse was bad for Montag is founded on the notion that she caused a rift in Montag’s marriage. The primary instance of Clarisse driving a wedge in Montag’s marriage is when she subjects Montag to a dandelion test to find out whether or not he is in love, and when it shows that he is not, Clarisse coldly remarks “What a shame… You’re not in love with anyone” while Montag repeatedly protests this statement (19-20). Even with the knowledge that Montag is married, Clarisse feels compelled to state that he is not in love with Mildred in a seemingly malicious attempt to ruin his relationship with his wife, demonstrating how Montag’s time with Clarisse is supposedly detrimental to his life. …show more content…
The hollow nature of Montag’s relationship with Mildred is clearly exposed when, in his separate bed, he lays thinking “that if she died, he was certain he wouldn’t cry”(41). Forced to acknowledge the emotional distance between them, Montag realizes that Clarisse was indeed right in her diagnosis of his marriage and accepts that he is not in love in light of his own true feelings as opposed to because of Clarisse’s words. Montag’s time with Clarisse was therefore, in actuality, beneficial as it aided him in growing to acknowledge the reality of his relationship with Mildred and thereby facilitated his evolution into greater cognizance of the quality of his