fahrenheit 451 book essay

Changed Ways In the book, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, a fireman named Guy Montag goes from destroying books to preserving them. There are many reasons that influenced Montag’s decision to preserve books. Clarisse, who was one of Montag’s neighbors, is one of the main reasons why he began to wonder about books. Faber and an old woman are also important influences in Montag’s decision.
Clarisse McClellan is a seventeen year old girl who is very odd and quite different. “I’m antisocial, they say. I don’t mix.” (Pg.29) Clarisse explains this to Montag and it is an example of how different she is from everyone else. She doesn’t fit in with the kids at school and everyone thinks she is the weird one. Clarisse talks to Montag everyday and tells him about everything that has changed from the past. “My uncle says it was different once.” (Pg.31) Clarisse gets most of her information from her uncle who knew what the past was like. All of the things that she says to montag get him to think more about how things have changed and how wrong it is.
Faber is also one of the reasons for Montag’s decision. A year before, Montag came across Faber in the park. While they were talking Faber says, “ I don’t talk things, sir, I talk the meaning of things. I sit here and know I’m alive.” (Pg.75) This triggers Montag to think about his life and how he feels. Montag doesn’t know what it really feels like to be alive and he wants to know what that feels like. That say in the park, Faber gives Montag his address. Montag remembers having it in his files and he goes to Faber’s house in hopes to find a teacher for his reading. “And I want you to teach me to understand what I read.” (Pg.82) Montag has gone his whole life not reading so when he finally does read, he can’t comprehend what the books are saying. This is why he went to Faber for help.
The person who influences Montag the most is the old woman that he sees while on the job. When the firemen go to the old woman’s house and are about to burn all of her books, she says, “I want to stay here.” (Pg.39) This shows that her books are so special to her that she wants to burn and die with them. Books are treasured by her and many others because books have become a hated and feared thing. This is because books have great information that people don’t know about anymore. While the firemen are gathering all the books, Montag steals one and hides it in his jacket. “ Montag felt the hidden book pound like a heart against his chest.” (Pg.39) When he gets home, his eyes crave to read. Books mean nothing to society, but to Montag they are the key to something and he knows it.
With Clarisse who helps Montag realize what society has come to, Faber who makes him more aware of how his life is, and the old woman who shows him the importance of books, Montag makes the decision to preserve books instead of destroying books.