“Fahrenheit 451” is a dystopian novel by Ray Bradbury. The novel takes place in a technology crazed future that has banned books. In this twisted reality, firemen start fires in homes containing books rather than putting them out. Guy Montag, a “fireman” had lived most of his life never questioning what he was doing until he met Clarisse. Clarisse (Guy’s 17 year old neighbor) had many questions and doubts about the way things were and expressed them to Guy. This caused Guy to discover some of the secrets people had been hiding from him. His knowledge got him in trouble and he had to run from authority. During the book, Guy Montag learned to question reality and that everything is not what it seems.
From the beginning of the book, Montag did not question how things were, or if there was a better way of living. He took everything for what it was and was not optimistic about a different future. Then, he met Clarisse who expressed her opinions that Guy found were similar to his own. Her curiosity inspired Guy to think about the reality he lived in. He slowly began to ask questions and realized that he was being kept in the dark. By doing so, Guy Montag became skeptical about the rules.
On page 1, the author wrote, “With the brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python spitting its venomous kerosene upon the world, the blood pounded in his head, and his hands were the hands of some amazing conductor playing all the symphonies of blazing and burning to bring down the tatters and charcoal ruins of history.” This long sentence expresses that Guy enjoyed being a fireman in the beginning of the book and it made him feel powerful. On page 9, Montag described Clarisse with a simile, “…She was like the eager watcher of a marionette show, anticipating each flicker of any eyelid… the moment before it began.” This connection is significant because it shows how Montag thinks of Clarisse. She later inspired him to be more like her and become more aware of the world around him.
In the middle of the story, Montag began asking questions and taking action to find the answers. Guy wondered why books were banned and if he had been told the whole truth. On page 34, the author wrote, “A book lit, almost obediently, like a white pigeon, in his hands, wings fluttering.” This simile is used to describe the moment when Guy steals a book and changes the whole story. On page 5, the author explains, “His hand had done it all, his hand, with a brain of its own, with a conscience and curiosity in each trembling finger, had turned thief.” Montag stole the book to see what it was about and answer his questions. It is also revealed that he already had a hidden book collection. His curiosity got the best of him and he read the books with his wife. Once he read the books, Guy realized that the government had been lying to him and books are not bad, so he reconnected with an old acquaintance and they schemed plans to answer more questions. Page 99 says, “He would be Montag-plus-Faber, fire plus water, and then, one day, after everything had mixed and simmered and worked away in silence, there would be neither fire nor water, but wine.” Because he asked questions and took action, Guy Montag got answers.
By the end, Montag learned new information about his life and it ended up helping him begin a better one. Officer Beatty, Guy’s boss knew that he broke the law and he tried to punish him by burning down his house and arresting Guy. However, when he got the chance, Guy Montag murdered his boss and ran away. The firemen sent a mechanical hound to kill him, and chased him with cameras. Page 131 says, “The helicopters were closer, a great blowing of insects to a single light source.” Ray Bradbury used personification to show the power the government had over its people. Eventually, Montag escaped with the help of Faber. He ran out of the city and encountered a group of fugitives. Pages 134/5 say, “He looked in at the great black creature without eyes or light, without shape, with only a size that went a thousand miles…” This part of the book explains how scared of the Hound Montag was and how lucky he was to escape him.
Montag joined fugitives and watched in safety as the government bombed his old city. By asking questions, the answers eventually saved Montag’s life. His new friends valued his knowledge and he became hopeful to remake the city and help any survivors of the bombing. On page 158 the author gives Montag a sense of hope by saying, “Yes, thought Montag, that’s the one I’ll save for noon, for noon…. When we reach the city.”
Some people might argue that knowing too much of the truth can hurt you. For example, Montag felt himself losing sanity when he learned so much so fast. He also read parts of a book to his neighbors who fled his house and said that they would never return; however, the information he learned eventually saved him. By getting answers to his questions, Guy was more aware that he could live a better life- and he did.
In conclusion, you have to ask questions because even if you think you already know the answers, there could be a surprising truth waiting for you to discover it. Ray Bradbury started the story off with a bland character that was living a lie until he was influenced to dig deeper. By doing this, he learned that the government was cruel. At the end of the story, Montag was an intelligent guy full of valuable information that saved his life. Gaining curiosity can drastically change a character. You have to ask questions because every thing is not always what it seems.