Happiness In Fahrenheit 451 Essay

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Set in the 24th century, "Fahrenheit 451" tells a story of the protagonist, Guy Montag. At first Montag takes pleasure in his profession as a fireman, burning illegally owned books and the homes of their owners. However, Montag soon begins to question the value of his profession as a fireman and his life as well. Books are considered evil because they make people question and think. The people live in a world with no reminders of history or appreciation in the past; the population receives the present from television. In Ray Bradbury's novel "Fahrenheit 451", no one can have happiness if they don’t have choice; If they don’t truly control their life, there is no way that they can be happy with what people are making them do.

The concept of happiness is first introduced in the novel when Montag meets Clarisse for the very first time. Montag's relationship with Clarisse makes him happier from the time they have their first conversation. In the novel,
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Whenever they were walking to the corner, which they always did since they had met each other there, Montag states: "Why is it, I feel like I've known you for so many years?" (26) Clarisse instantly tells Montag that she likes him, and that because they know each other now from their recent conversations. As their conversation continued on, Clarisse notices that Montags laugh has become more nicer than it was whenever they had first met each other. Montag at this moment feels more relaxed when he is talking to Clarisse. Earlier in the conversation when Clarisse asked why he didn’t have any daughters like her, he responded saying: "Well, my wife, she... she just never wanted any children at all." (26) At this point in the novel Montag feels more at ease whenever he and Clarisse is talking because her curiosity and questioning is so unique to him that he is struck