Fahrenheit 451 Montag Characteristics

Words: 892
Pages: 4

APPEARRANCE
“Had he ever seen a fireman that didn’t have black hair, black brows, a fiery face, and a blue steel shaved but unshaved look? These men were all mirror images of himself? (Pg.30)”

Montag is a thirty-year-old fireman that has black hair and eyebrows, a fiery face, and a blue-steel shaved but unshaved look. After he first meets Clarisse, they talk briefly, and she asks him how long he has been a fireman. Montag's response is "Since I was twenty, ten years ago. (Pg. 5)” He works as a fireman and wears a black uniform with a salamander on his arm and a phoenix-disc on his chest. He also wears a helmet, which is numbered with 451.

WHAT HE/SHE DOES
Montag is the novel’s protagonist, who is very proud of working in the fire department.
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I mean, to have firemen burn our houses and our books.” (Pg. 31)
“What - was it always like this? The firehouse, our work? I mean, well, once upon a time…” (Pg.31) We see a part of Montag’s personality here, which shows that he is curious. He is curious to why firemen have to burn books; he wonders what it is in books that are so dangerous. Faced with the complication of books for the first time, he is confused, frustrated and overwhelmed. Yet, this also gives readers some insight when Montag says “our houses and our books” that he might be hiding something illegally at his house. As well as, when Montag says “once upon a time” we can figure out that Montag has indeed read parts of a book somewhere.

“I’m going to do something. I don’t even know what yet, but I’m going to do something big.” (Pg. 62)

We see Montag’s rebellious side showing. He doesn’t like the way the society is and he doesn’t like the way he is living his life. Montag wants change; he wants to do something that will give him a purpose in life. We find out that Montag is taking that step by reading books, he is trying to figure what books have that would cause them to be banned.

THOUGHT AND
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After speaking with Clarisse and witnessing the old women burn along with her house and books, he realizes that he is not happy with his life. Montag cannot shake the feeling of discontent, and he acknowledges that his life has no meaning. Hungry for knowledge, he turns to books thinking that it will be the solution to his problems. However, he cannot fully understand the meanings and contents of the book, and is frustrated of being unable to discuss his ideas with anyone. Montag then turns to Faber, an old English professor, for advice. At this point in the novel we see that Montag wants change, and is ready for a new, and more meaningful life. Throughout the novel we see that Montag is unsure of his actions. He is afraid of the consequences and is always hesitant of what he should say. When talking to Beatty, Montag is confused as Beatty twists words into making them seem like the truth, leaving Montag unsure as to whether he should listen to Beatty, follow Faber advice, or do what he wants to do. At the end of the novel, Montag finds hope and happiness, finally feeling meaningful in life and knowing where he belongs in the world. Montag finds hope that the society can be rebuilt into one that eagerly welcomes books and