Timed Writing: Fahrenheit 451

In the futuristic dystopia envisioned by Ray Bradbury in the excerpt Fahrenheit 451,
one can infer, based on analysis of figurative language and the tone, that the characters live
in a society where the status quo discourages the pursuit of knowledge. Guy Montag, the
protagonist, is a firefighter whose profession involves burning books. Described as the ideal
citizen, he not only mindlessly does what he is told, but also never takes the time to either
consider his surroundings or his actions. After burning down a house containing books, he
walked around the corner, thinking little at all about nothing in particular (Bradbury 25-26),
his lack of cognition evident upon analysis of his actions. Though the tone is quite lighthearted and relaxing, there is an underlying tone of disapproval by the fact that he chooses
to disregard his previous actions. The narrators thoughts on this matter greatly contrast the
situation, and he sheds light on the the fact that Montag is blissfully ignorant, despite his
alert and and observant exterior. Later on in his stroll, he meets Clarisse, a seventeen year
old girl, and was immediately enraptured by her inquisitive and supposedly naive nature. As
he encounters Clarisse for the first time, he ... saw himself in her eyes, suspended in two
shining drops of bright water...two miraculous bits of violet amber that might capture and
hold him intact (Bradbury 47-49). Intrigued by the brimming innocence in Clarisses eyes,
Montag finds that Clarisse is an extraordinary anomaly in his repetitive life, and is perplexed
by what he sees in her. Bradburys incorporation of figurative language not only implicitly
reveal Montags fascination with Clarisse, but also for the ideas she symbolizes. While he is
the ideal citizen who has never considered it to be of importance to question the status
quo, Clarisse has nothing but questions about why such societal restrictions and ideals are
in place. Though the characters are foils of each other, its their contrasting perspectives
that results in their mutual fascination with one another. Ironically, Montag is darkened by
the ashes of his profession rather than enlightened by the bright flames. Through his
relationship with Clarisse, he will come to discover that the path out of ignorant bliss isnt
the harsh flames of reality, but the gentle glow of liberation from the dark restraints of the
anti-intellectual society.