Although Clarisse lit a candle within Montag during their first meeting, he did not immediately act on his thoughts and conclusions. Montag was still somewhat content with his life and did not feel an overwhelming urge to change others. Still, he did question commodities in his life like the fast cars, long billboards, and technology. He was also an avid thinker during this period. He was never an outspoken guy, but he had always been a thinker. His desire for understanding was more important to him than desire for a better life at the time. The impact of this period on the plot of the novel is definitely significant. During this time, Montag gathered information, and began communicating with Faber. In the beginning of the book, Montag mentioned an old man he met with a year ago. In his bedroom, he reflected on his conversation with Clarisse. He thought “What a strange meeting on a strange night. He remembered nothing like it save one afternoon a year ago when he had met an old man in the park and they had talked . . . “ (14) The man he referred to was Faber, and after meeting Clarisse, Montag made a connection between the two people. In addition, Clarisse’s physical features stuck with Montag, which helped him remember her. Montag was thinking, “He glanced back at the wall. How like a mirror, too, her face. Impossible; for how many people did you know who refracted your own light back to you?” (15) As he thought about her and what she had said, his view on the world changed forever.
Montag’s view on the world changed most drastically after Clarisse’s death. His desire for change was more important than his desire for understanding at this time. He made bold statements when he murdered Beatty and quoted Dover Beach to Mildred’s friends. The death of Clarisse by his own wife really opened his eyes to the extent of damage society was inflicting upon itself and its people. Her death is vital to the overall plot of the book because it changed Montag’s attitude towards others. This new, extreme attitude convinced Faber to team up and make a difference. An example of his new attitude was when Faber told him, “’The book. Don’t tear it anymore.’ Faber sank into a chair, his face very white, his mouth trembling. ‘Don’t make me feel anymore tired. What do you want?’” (91) This shows the change Montag went through once Clarisse died. He was more extreme in his behavior and appearance. This is also illustrated during his reading of Dover Beach to Mildred’s friends. If Montag did not feel the way he did when Clarisse had died, he probably would not have murdered Beatty and exiled himself with the book people after Clarisse’s death.
In conclusion, Montag used passion and emotion, which came from Clarisse, to drive his actions. Through life and death, she affected Montag differently. Montag felt uncomfortable rather than upset with society while she was alive. However, when Clarisse died he felt infuriated because of the way she died: at the mercy of society’s habits. Clarisse had a strong impact on Montag; he bought into her ideas and thoughts. His belief in her ideas is depicted in this quote. Montag stood up to Beatty, “He opened his mouth and it was Clarisse McClellan saying ‘Didn’t firemen prevent fires rather than stoke them up and get them going?’”(38) This relates to modern society in many ways. Around the world, there are people who are less fortunate than we are. Some who live in the Middle East, parts of Africa, and South America face a great deal of challenges including lack of food, no shelter, and no healthcare. The ideas in this book, change and awareness, can be applied today as well. We, individually, do not have enough money, resources, power, or influence to make in impact on these people’s lives. But if we make ourselves and others aware of these issues facing our brethren in other parts of the world, we can truly make a difference and change some bad habits in our society. Montag’s transformation and conflict with society was obviously the driving force of the book, but the driving force behind his transformation was Clarisse McClellan and her life and death.
by
ragu (student)
