Fahrenheit 451: Change
What is change? Webster's Second Collegiate Dictionary, defines change
as to cause to become different; alter; transform; convert. Many things, people,
and world events are able to change. Peace may be present for years and
shattered by a disagreement over religion, or shift of political power.
Technology changes the lives of people and how the interact and work in the
world. People also change. Many do not see any wrongdoing internally, and remain
the way they are. However, there might be outside factors that help them realize
what is wrong with them or the lifestyle they choose to take part in. According
to Preston Bradley, "I don't care how much a man may consider himself a failure,
I believe in him, for he can change the thing that is wrong in his life any time
he is ready and prepared to do it. Whenever he develops the desire, he can take
away from his life the thing that is defeating it. The capacity for reformation
and change lies within." Throughout Fahrenheit 451, Montag, a dedicated fireman
and book burner, sees pleasure and titillation from burning books and destroying
lifetimes of important ideas. When outside influences put confusion in him, he
begins a series of changes, eventually becoming a revolutionary in a society
where books are valued.
Many factors contribute to the changes found in Montag. One of the first
influences during the story is the exquisitely observant Clarisse McClellan. She
is different from all of the others in society who like to head for a Fun Park
to bully people around," or "break windowpanes in the Car Wrecker." She likes to
observe people, and she observes Montag, diagnosing him as a
"strange...fireman." He is "not like the others" because when she talks, he
looks at her, and when she said something about the moon, he looks at it.
Clarisse tells Montag that he is different from the other people. He has
something inside of him that makes him "put up with" her. Clarisse makes Montag
look at himself... [continues]
What is change? Webster's Second Collegiate Dictionary, defines change
as to cause to become different; alter; transform; convert. Many things, people,
and world events are able to change. Peace may be present for years and
shattered by a disagreement over religion, or shift of political power.
Technology changes the lives of people and how the interact and work in the
world. People also change. Many do not see any wrongdoing internally, and remain
the way they are. However, there might be outside factors that help them realize
what is wrong with them or the lifestyle they choose to take part in. According
to Preston Bradley, "I don't care how much a man may consider himself a failure,
I believe in him, for he can change the thing that is wrong in his life any time
he is ready and prepared to do it. Whenever he develops the desire, he can take
away from his life the thing that is defeating it. The capacity for reformation
and change lies within." Throughout Fahrenheit 451, Montag, a dedicated fireman
and book burner, sees pleasure and titillation from burning books and destroying
lifetimes of important ideas. When outside influences put confusion in him, he
begins a series of changes, eventually becoming a revolutionary in a society
where books are valued.
Many factors contribute to the changes found in Montag. One of the first
influences during the story is the exquisitely observant Clarisse McClellan. She
is different from all of the others in society who like to head for a Fun Park
to bully people around," or "break windowpanes in the Car Wrecker." She likes to
observe people, and she observes Montag, diagnosing him as a
"strange...fireman." He is "not like the others" because when she talks, he
looks at her, and when she said something about the moon, he looks at it.
Clarisse tells Montag that he is different from the other people. He has
something inside of him that makes him "put up with" her. Clarisse makes Montag
look at himself... [continues]
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