Celsius 233: Clarisse the Catalyst
Celsius 233: Clarisse the Catalyst
“We are like chameleons; we take our hue and the color of our moral character, from those who are around us” (John Locke, English philosopher and physician). Everyone in the world influences others in many various manners. The influence can be diminutive or extremely significant but they always have an impact. In the novel, Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury introduces a string of influential figures that drive the protagonist, Guy Montag, through a complete metamorphosis. This dystopian novel, set in a futuristic society, focuses on the life of Guy Montag, a fireman whose job it is to start fires. At first, Montag takes great pleasure in his profession of burning illegally owned books and the homes of their owners. However, after meeting Clarisse McClellan, an inquisitive young lady, he begins to question the value of his profession and, in turn, his life. Clarisse embodied a serene innocence amidst the bitter reality of a corrupt world. She was the first to influence Montag towards the path of self-awareness. I will explore Clarisse’s role in the futuristic society, how and why her words changed Montag and the symbolic purpose of her “death”.
Clarisse McClellan’s main function in Fahrenheit 451 is to play the role of innocence, both in mind and in action. She serves as a catalyst that forces Montag to go through a painful but necessary self-examination.“‘That’s why I think it’s so strange you’re a fireman. It just doesn’t seem right for you, somehow.’ He felt his body divide itself into a hotness and a coldness, a softness and a hardness, a trembling and a not trembling, the two halves grinding one upon the other” (p. 24). Clarisse finds interest in parts of the world Montag doesn’t understand, such as, “watching people, tasting the rain and smelling autumn leaves”. Her carefree, yet observant, personality appealed to Montag. “She didn’t want to know how a thing was done, but why” (p.60). Clarisse didn’t care about
“We are like chameleons; we take our hue and the color of our moral character, from those who are around us” (John Locke, English philosopher and physician). Everyone in the world influences others in many various manners. The influence can be diminutive or extremely significant but they always have an impact. In the novel, Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury introduces a string of influential figures that drive the protagonist, Guy Montag, through a complete metamorphosis. This dystopian novel, set in a futuristic society, focuses on the life of Guy Montag, a fireman whose job it is to start fires. At first, Montag takes great pleasure in his profession of burning illegally owned books and the homes of their owners. However, after meeting Clarisse McClellan, an inquisitive young lady, he begins to question the value of his profession and, in turn, his life. Clarisse embodied a serene innocence amidst the bitter reality of a corrupt world. She was the first to influence Montag towards the path of self-awareness. I will explore Clarisse’s role in the futuristic society, how and why her words changed Montag and the symbolic purpose of her “death”.
Clarisse McClellan’s main function in Fahrenheit 451 is to play the role of innocence, both in mind and in action. She serves as a catalyst that forces Montag to go through a painful but necessary self-examination.“‘That’s why I think it’s so strange you’re a fireman. It just doesn’t seem right for you, somehow.’ He felt his body divide itself into a hotness and a coldness, a softness and a hardness, a trembling and a not trembling, the two halves grinding one upon the other” (p. 24). Clarisse finds interest in parts of the world Montag doesn’t understand, such as, “watching people, tasting the rain and smelling autumn leaves”. Her carefree, yet observant, personality appealed to Montag. “She didn’t want to know how a thing was done, but why” (p.60). Clarisse didn’t care about
Bibliography: * Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Ballantine Books, 1953. * Lelyveld, Joseph. Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and his struggle with India. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. * Brooks, Terry. The Black Unicorn. New York: Ballantine Books, 1987. * Balliett, Blue. The Wright 3. New York: Scholastic Press, 2006 * Influence Quotes. Brainy Quote. 27 May 2011 http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/influence.html * Death Quotes. Brainy Quote. 27 May 2011 http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_death3.html * Fahrenheit 451 Summary. Grade Saver. 21 May 2011 http://www.gradesaver.com/fahrenheit-451/study-guide/short-summary/ * Fahrenheit 451: Character List. SparkNotes. 22 May 2011. www.sparknotes.com/lit/451/characters.html