Changes Of Montag In Fahrenheit 451
Montag, the main character in Fahrenheit 451 changes drastically by the end of the novel by changing from someone who “loves” his job, to someone who doesn’t want to be a fireman and who changes his whole life in the search of happiness and what is right. In the text it says, “It was a pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed” (Bradbury 7). Montag’s love and passion of burning books is seen here as he describes the pleasure in which he gets from watching the books get consumed by the fire, but down the road, Montag strays away from burning books as he realizes it is giving him no real happiness or pleasure. For example, the text says, “He reached under his pillow. The hidden
book was still there. … ‘to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don’t stay for nothing” (Bradbury 54-55). Montag begins to secretly keep books as he wonders why people are willing to die for them, and if saving the books will bring him hope and happiness. Finally, Montag finds true happiness in his life and drifts away far from town down the river. The text says, “Now there was only the cold river and Montag floating in a sudden peacefulness, away from the city and the lights and the chase, away from everything” (Bradbury 142). Montag floating down the river away from the chase is the perfect way for him to escape because it symbolizes that he has moved on from burning and from fire and has now found peace and is happy with his life. Fire and water are opposites and having him float down the river was an excellent way to have Montag end the story.
book was still there. … ‘to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don’t stay for nothing” (Bradbury 54-55). Montag begins to secretly keep books as he wonders why people are willing to die for them, and if saving the books will bring him hope and happiness. Finally, Montag finds true happiness in his life and drifts away far from town down the river. The text says, “Now there was only the cold river and Montag floating in a sudden peacefulness, away from the city and the lights and the chase, away from everything” (Bradbury 142). Montag floating down the river away from the chase is the perfect way for him to escape because it symbolizes that he has moved on from burning and from fire and has now found peace and is happy with his life. Fire and water are opposites and having him float down the river was an excellent way to have Montag end the story.