Transformation in Fahrenheit 451 Ray

Transformation in Fahrenheit 451

Ray Bradbury's novel, Fahrenheit 451, is a tale of evolution of the best kind. Guy Montag is a man doing what he is supposed to do at the beginning of the novel. He is doing his job and appears to be doing everything else correctly until he stumbles upon certain things that make him think outside the box. Montag was not asking for change but he welcomed new thoughts and ideas regarding it and this is what sets him apart from the other drones he works with every day. From his innocent conversations with Clarisse to his inspirational conversations with Faber, Montag undergoes a radical transformation. He questions happiness, passion, and the meaning of life and these are things that most people around him do not do. Beatty does what he can to dissuade Montag but Montag does not let go of that spark of interest. He later learns that this tiny spark saved his life because it leads to his eventual metamorphosis. Montag moves from being a robot to a rebel with the greatest cause of all: knowledge. Fahrenheit 451 is a tale of redemption as Montag shows the world how to change gracefully.

Clarisse is one factor contributing to Montag's change. He begins to look at things differently because of his encounters with her. She observes people and believes Montag to be different and strange because he looks at her when she speaks to him. She has the nerve to ask him if her is happy and at first, he thinks her question is "nonsense" (8) but after some thinking, he realizes he is not. Her strange observations cause him to consider things he would never have before. He sees himself as "dark and tiny" (Bradbury 7) in her eyes. Clarisse thinks about a variety of things for a young girl. She also knows interesting things from her grandfather. Clarisse talk about art and social situations and through these encounters with her, his transformation begins. Montag starts to think for himself after she sparks his intellect and this leads to an inner speculation. Instead of allowing society to tell him what to do, he decides that there may be another way. He also speculates about the power and authority of the government. All of this leads to finding fault. These small steps are the beginning of Montag's transformation.

Another significant event that contributes to Montag's occurs upon the death of the old woman. She does not simply die; she dies a defiant death by refusing to go with Montag and Beatty. She stands on her porch and lights the match that takes her own life. Montag is taken aback by this act of disobedience and something about the old woman's eyes stays with him. Later that night in bed, he begins to cry "not at death but at the thought of not crying at death" (46-7). He realizes he feels empty and feels compelled to do something, though he does not know what. He also realizes that he feels nothing like the passion the old woman felt. She was willing to die than live a life without books and he could not understand that but something about it appealed to him. He faces a dilemma at this point in his life because he wants to change but does not know how.

Montag's transformation is highly impacted by Faber. With Faber's help, Montag begins to see some hope for change. Inside he is changing but he continues with his life as much as he can. Beatty accuses Montag of being a hopeless romantic and does his best to convince Montag there is nothing in books that could benefit man. Beatty also blames a large part of Montag's "problem" on his encounters with Clarisse, who was "better of dead" (64). This attitude is a stark contrast with Faber and his beliefs. Faber realizes Montag's situation and tells him that what he needs can be found in books. He says, "There is nothing magical in them at all. The magic is only in what books say" (89-90). He admits something useful can be found in books and that is how they are valuable to us. We learn from others and their experiences, Faber tells him. He also tells him books "remind us what fools and asses we are" (93). Faber also encourages Montag to be his own person. He tells him to be observant and "don't ask for guarantees. And don't look to be saved by any one thing, person, machine, or library. Do your own bit of saving" (93). Faber was feeding Montag's desire to know and learn. Fear was diminished by desire and with the guidance of Faber, Montag could see a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

Montag's transformation is apparent when he kills Beatty. By this time in the novel, Montag's loyalty was with Faber and their plan. He chooses to be a rebel and not a robot in this scene. Montag does not seek anything from the government or the society. Instead, he wants to be the cause of change; he wants to teach others the truth and help them avoid a life of misery. Montag realizes his purpose and is full of just as much passion as the old woman who burned for her beliefs. When Montag joins the new society, we see that his change is complete. He finds solace with others who are like-minded and emerges from the river reborn. He is a different man here, protecting books and preserving knowledge. That he has no real security is no concern because he made the right decisions to arrive at this place in his life.