Characters
Clarisse causes Montag to question his relationships with others, his career, and his happiness. She also helps him to appreciate certain aspects of his life.
How does Clarisse effect Montag?
It shows that Montag is willing to go against society's norms in order to get what he wants. Also, he used to do whatever Beatty told him, but now he is able to kill him.
How does Montag killing Beatty show that he has changed?
At the beginning of the book, Montag loves his job and therefore loves being at the firestation. He enjoys burning down buildings and books. Montag had a positive outlook on the fire station at the beginning of the book.
How does Montag feel about the fire station at the beginning of the book?
Montag fears going against what he has been taught from a young age. He no longer knows what is wrong or right, wishing to read books but knowing that others think it is wrong.
What is an internal conflict that Montag has?
Montag feels disturbed after his conversation with Clarisse as he is not used to being used to questioned by people on how he is living his life. He quickly becomes confused as he is uncertain about how he feels for Mildred and whether he is happy or not.
How did Montag feel after his conversation with Clarisse?
Mildred has completely conformed to society's standards and urges Montag to as well. This causes Montag to question himself on whether he should read books or not.
How does Mildred hold Montag back?
Montag realizes that books must have important messages within them for someone to choose to burn alive with their books.
What does Montag realize when he watches the old lady burn with her books?
His house is just like everyones else, meaning it has parlor walls and a lack of books.
How does Montag's apartment keep him from changing?
Beatty tries to kill Montag as it is his duty to stop anyone who reads books and breaking off from society. He believes that what Montag is doing is wrong.
Why does Beatty try to kill Montag?
Beatty is trying to convince Montag to remain focused on his job as a firefighter and not to worry about outside influences.
What is Beatty trying to accomplish with his speech to Montag at the beginning of the book?
He believes that books hold conflicting ideas that can cause doubt and unhappiness, and they therefore need to be burnt.
Why does Beatty try to convince Montag that books are bad?
When he realizes at the end they are going to his house to burn it down, he becomes very confused and scared because he doesn't understand why they are going there.
How does Montag feel when he realizes where they are going to burn his house?
He has a lot more freedom to think and has someone encouraging him to think that way.
How does Montag change when he goes to Faber's house?
Montag fears the mechanical hound and what it is able to do to him.
How does Montag's relationship with the mechanical hound create conflict?
Faber tells Montag that the information inside of books is what people are searching for.
What does Faber tell Montag in his speech at the park?
Faber used to be an english professor and therefore loves books, even though he shouldn't. As his relationship with Montag grows, he increases the influence of books in Montag's life.
How does Faber develop how Montag feels about books?
They do that so that people believe that Montag is dead. This may help prevent other people from getting similar ideas as Montag's and it will help the government to maintain control over its citizens.
Why does the government kill another person and say it's Montag if it isn't really him?
He realizes what it is like to be able to think by himself and be free. He notices that Clarisse is different than other people and he wants to be that way too.
How does seeing Clarisse's house change Montag?
Mildred calls the fire station on Montag, causing him to run away from society. It also makes Montag realize the Mildred never loved him and causes him to make quicker decisions and changes.
How does conflict with Mildred create change in Montag?
It shows that Mildred is too willing to conform to society and will be unable to think for herself. She is extremely self centered and doesn't care about Montag.
What do the conversations between Montag and Mildred show about Mildred?
It represents the fear people have of change which holds Montag back.
How has the mechanical hound kept Montag from changing?
Montag changes from being a typical fireman who follows whatever he is told into someone who questions others and is able to develop his own ideas. He challenges the law, which causes him to run away from the government and into the woods.
How does Montag's character changing get him to the woods at the end of the book?
It gives Montag a sense of safety as he knows he is far from the dangers of society and government in the city.
What is the importance of Montag crossing the river?
It causes Montag to realise that dangerous situations like Mildred's are actually very common in the society that he lives in. It opens his eyes to what is happening around him.
How does Mildred's overdosing effect Montag?
Montag turns off the parlor wall and attempts to read a book to Mildred's friends. This shows that he is attempting to influence others and help them think for themselves. Montag is willing to go against the norm and do so in front of others who may not be willing to do the same.
What does Montag try to explain to Mildred's friends and how does it show how he developed as a character?