Clarisse McClellan

At the beginning of Fahrenheit 451, readers are introduced to a character named Clarisse McClellan. While Clarisse is not in most of the novel, her influence on Montag and the events in the story is profound. The main role that Clarisse provides in this book is that of the martyr. Clarisse first appears in this novel when Montag is walking home from work (Bradbury 5). At first Montag is not sure what to think of this teenage girl with curious sparkling eyes that seem to notice everything (Bradbury 5). Yet, as they talk he begins to warm up to her spirited personality, and he knows that she is one of a kind in their society. She talks of the world and all of her observations, and enchants Montag because she does seem to care about him in a world where everyone is indifferent (Bradbury 8). The most significant trait of Clarisse is that she actually thinks about things in a world where serious thought is frowned upon (Bradbury 9). The way she talks about thinking causes Montag to wonder if he is missing something in life. Clarisse eventually inspires Montag to seek out books and thought. Tragedy strikes though when a group of teenagers hit Clarisse with their car. This is ironic because at one point in the book Clarisse tells that Montag people her own age terrify her (Bradbury 30). While it was never said whether her death was an accident or not, I believe that she was targeted in some way or another since the government knew her "strange" tendencies. The death of Clarisse severely impacts Montag and convinces him to take action and bring books back into society. I think part of this is done in the name of Clarisse, so Montag can believe that she did not die in vain and it would have made her happy. Later in the novel when Montag is in the country, he begins to believe that Clarisse took the same path through the country as well (Bradbury 145). This means that Montag is continuing what Clarisse started and inspired. A path of thinking that Clarisse paved the way for.

Bibliography: Bradbury, Ray. Farenheit 451. New York: Ballantine, 1953. Print