Montag drastically changed from the beginning of the
book to the end. In what way’s did Montag develop as a character through his
actions and conversations?
Hermon- I would have to agree with you that Montag is a very dynamic character. An example of how Montag developed was through dialogue with Clarisse. On page 30, Clarisse discusses with Montag about how the world isn’t what it used to be like. With the dialogue exchanged between Montag and Clarisse, Montag gradually begins to discover that there is more to life then burning books. A specific quote that shows the development of Montag says, “’Your laugh sounds much nicer than it did.’ ‘Does it?’ ‘Much more relaxed.’ He felt at ease and comfortable”. (Bradbury 29). When Clarisse first met Montag, she pointed out that his laugh seemed artificial and that he was very defensive. After several conversations with Clarisse, Montag opens up and truly talks about his genuine feelings and thoughts with Clarisse. To my interpretation, Montag developed into a trusting character. When Montag was first introduced, he seemed uptight and didn’t want to have any involvement with anyone. Through dialogue, Clarisse was able to open Montag up and mold him into a character that came to trust others to let them in on his feelings and his thoughts. When he opened up his mind, he was able to see the world in a whole new perspective that would not only benefit him but others that he made contact with.
Hermon–I also agree with you and Julia. Guy Montag is definitely one of the most dynamic characters in this dystopian novel. Just like Julia, I was able to see how Clarisse, a minor character, helped develop Montag change his values for the better. On page 19, Clarisse discusses the topic of trying new things. Clarisse suggests for him drink rainwater because it tastes good to which Montag replies “’I don’t think I’d liked that,’” (Bradbury 19). His opposition represents how he is not accustomed to change and wises for things to remain the same. However, after their conversation ended because Clarisse had to leave, “…he titled his head back in the rain, for just a few moments, and opened his mouth…” (Bradbury 21). Clarisse was able to make an impact on Montag, teaching him how to live life more freely and to escape the social norms of the society he was trapped in. In the beginning of the novel, Montag also stated that the smell of kerosene was like a perfume to him. As he transformed over the course of the story, Montag’s views of fire and anything associated with fire changed dramatically. When Montag got severely ill after his fellow firemen burned the old lady’s house, “He pressed at the pain in his eyes and suddenly the odor of kerosene made him vomit” (Bradbury 47). Montag’s new perspective about fire and questioning his profession demonstrates his character developing and attaining a new identity. He came to realize that his actions were not helping anyone, but instead destroyed valuable pieces of mankind. His decision to quit being a fireman enabled him to think for himself, and helped him attempt to save society from “burning” down any further.
I agree with both of you that Guy Montag was one of the most developed characters throughout the novel. Clarisse was definitely a minor character that helped develop Montag the most. She was the first person in the story to question Montag about his job “Do you ever read any books you burn” (Bradbury 8). At this point of the novel Montag was following the rules of society and was not living his life freely so his response was “No, that’s against the law” (Bradbury 8). But as Montag and Clarisse relationship progressed, she helped Montag view life in a new perspective. She taught him it’s okay to be different than others. Even after Clarisse had left the story, her impact on Montag was still visible. Shortly after Mildred had informed Montag that Clarisse had died, he confessed to Mildred about the books he was hiding in their home. “I don’t know why I did it, but I did and I never told you. He took hold of a straight backed chair and moved it slowly and steady in the hall near the front door… then he reached up and pulled back the grill of the air condition system and reached far back inside and took out a book. Without looking he dropped it to the floor, he put his hands back and up and dropped two more books” (Bradbury 65). Because of Clarisse, Montag was able to accept he was different than the rest of the society which helped him make the choices of reading books secretly and quit his job as a fireman. Through Clarisse and Montag’s conversations she was able to show Montag the world in an outlook he had never seen before.
Montag drastically changed from the beginning of the
book to the end. In what way’s did Montag develop as a character through his
actions and conversations?
Hermon- I would have to agree with you that Montag is a very dynamic character. An example of how Montag developed was through dialogue with Clarisse. On page 30, Clarisse discusses with Montag about how the world isn’t what it used to be like. With the dialogue exchanged between Montag and Clarisse, Montag gradually begins to discover that there is more to life then burning books. A specific quote that shows the development of Montag says, “’Your laugh sounds much nicer than it did.’ ‘Does it?’ ‘Much more relaxed.’ He felt at ease and comfortable”. (Bradbury 29). When Clarisse first met Montag, she pointed out that his laugh seemed artificial and that he was very defensive. After several conversations with Clarisse, Montag opens up and truly talks about his genuine feelings and thoughts with Clarisse. To my interpretation, Montag developed into a trusting character. When Montag was first introduced, he seemed uptight and didn’t want to have any involvement with anyone. Through dialogue, Clarisse was able to open Montag up and mold him into a character that came to trust others to let them in on his feelings and his thoughts. When he opened up his mind, he was able to see the world in a whole new perspective that would not only benefit him but others that he made contact with.
ReplyDeleteHermon–I also agree with you and Julia. Guy Montag is definitely one of the most dynamic characters in this dystopian novel. Just like Julia, I was able to see how Clarisse, a minor character, helped develop Montag change his values for the better. On page 19, Clarisse discusses the topic of trying new things. Clarisse suggests for him drink rainwater because it tastes good to which Montag replies “’I don’t think I’d liked that,’” (Bradbury 19). His opposition represents how he is not accustomed to change and wises for things to remain the same. However, after their conversation ended because Clarisse had to leave, “…he titled his head back in the rain, for just a few moments, and opened his mouth…” (Bradbury 21). Clarisse was able to make an impact on Montag, teaching him how to live life more freely and to escape the social norms of the society he was trapped in. In the beginning of the novel, Montag also stated that the smell of kerosene was like a perfume to him. As he transformed over the course of the story, Montag’s views of fire and anything associated with fire changed dramatically. When Montag got severely ill after his fellow firemen burned the old lady’s house, “He pressed at the pain in his eyes and suddenly the odor of kerosene made him vomit” (Bradbury 47). Montag’s new perspective about fire and questioning his profession demonstrates his character developing and attaining a new identity. He came to realize that his actions were not helping anyone, but instead destroyed valuable pieces of mankind. His decision to quit being a fireman enabled him to think for himself, and helped him attempt to save society from “burning” down any further.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of you that Guy Montag was one of the most developed characters throughout the novel. Clarisse was definitely a minor character that helped develop Montag the most. She was the first person in the story to question Montag about his job “Do you ever read any books you burn” (Bradbury 8). At this point of the novel Montag was following the rules of society and was not living his life freely so his response was “No, that’s against the law” (Bradbury 8). But as Montag and Clarisse relationship progressed, she helped Montag view life in a new perspective. She taught him it’s okay to be different than others. Even after Clarisse had left the story, her impact on Montag was still visible. Shortly after Mildred had informed Montag that Clarisse had died, he confessed to Mildred about the books he was hiding in their home. “I don’t know why I did it, but I did and I never told you. He took hold of a straight backed chair and moved it slowly and steady in the hall near the front door… then he reached up and pulled back the grill of the air condition system and reached far back inside and took out a book. Without looking he dropped it to the floor, he put his hands back and up and dropped two more books” (Bradbury 65). Because of Clarisse, Montag was able to accept he was different than the rest of the society which helped him make the choices of reading books secretly and quit his job as a fireman. Through Clarisse and Montag’s conversations she was able to show Montag the world in an outlook he had never seen before.
ReplyDelete