Fire In Fahrenheit 451 (Free Essay Sample)

Fire is a very complex word used to describe emotion figuratively and situations physically. During Fahrenheit 451, the definition of fire changes rapidly, but sadly only to a few people. Many different conversations prove that fire wasn't meant for burning but used for healing. The main character, Guy Montag, goes through many stages of character development while exploring the new meanings of fire and books. Much of his discovery leads him to gain wisdom and a new goal of spreading knowledge.

“Is it true that long ago firemen put out fires instead of going to start them?” “No. Houses have always been fireproof, take my word for it.” “Strange. I heard once that a long time ago houses used to burn by accident and they needed firemen to stop the flames.” The beginning of Montag's journey starts with a girl named Clarisse. They meet each other in the early hours of the night. The conversations flowing between Clarisse and Montag about their life now caused Montag to be somewhat confused and a little puzzled.  She addressed things he never cared for and was new territory for him. At some point in the night, Clarisse questioned him about his career path. Montag thought that this was an odd question to be asked, but hours after the conversation had taken place, he began thinking more and more about the things she addressed. 

Then she seemed to remember something and came back to look at him with wonder and curiosity. “Are you happy?” she said. “Am I what?” he cried. Montag and Clarisse meet again, both speaking about things one of the two did not understand. Clarisse tells Montag about her life and how her family members spend their time together. Before she left Montag, she asked him whether he was happy, which made him spiral even more into his confusion. As time passes, he comes across a difficulty on one of his missions. They were meant to burn down someone's home. The female who was there with the books had decided to burn along with the books. This impacted him heavily throughout his time of thinking constantly. He had always negatively seen fire, but after hearing Clarisse's thoughts and his own experiences. He wasn't able to comprehend anything due to the confusion he was stuck in. 

Beatty flicked his fingers to spark the kerosene. He was too late. Montag gasped. The woman on the porch reached out with contempt to them all, and struck the kitchen match against the railing. People ran out of houses all down the street. This was probably one of the most impactful events on Montag's character development since he wasn't just following along with society like a programmed robot. He had attempted to learn why people were so attached to books and why burning them down hurt people.  He realizes that these were books with stories written by people who did exist, who also had their thoughts and opinions creating something out of their lives. 

Half an hour later, cold, and moving carefully on the tracks, fully aware of his entire body, his face, his mouth, his eyes stuffed with blackness, his ears stuffed with sound, his legs prickled with burrs and nettles, he saw the fire ahead. The fire was gone, then back again, like a winking eye. He stopped, afraid he might blow the fire out with a single breath. But the fire was there and he approached warily, from a very long way off. It took the better part of fifteen minutes before he drew very close indeed to it, and then he stood looking at it from cover. That small motion, the white and red color, a strange fire because it meant different things to him. It was not burning, it was warming. 

He saw many hands held to its warmth, hands without arms, hidden in the darkness. Above the hands, motionless faces that were only moved and tossed and flickered with the firelight. He hadn’t known fire could look this way. He had never thought in his life that it could give as well as take. Even its smell was different. As he begins to see through the lines, he decides to try and save society from itself. He grabs different books from his missions and uses the help of Mr. Faber. Mr. Faber was a former professor at a university, he had helped Montag understand the Bible and spread out the books in different firefighters' houses. This all happened before the war, and his view of the fire remained negative. When he does escape successfully, he comes across a group of people huddled closely around a fire. At first glance, he thought they were in trouble, but the closer he got, he realized that they were receiving warmth from the small fire.  He was invited by the group and introduced to a few members. He noticed the fire was gentle, welcoming and homely. It wasn’t dangerous or threatening, it was just meant for comfort and to warm the cold hands and bodies surrounding it. The fire was calm, cool, collected and under control without it having any intention of burning everything in its way. It only had the intention of warming and comforting the other few people surrounding the small fire. While this interaction took place, he finally realized that fire is not always meant to burn, harm, or kill, but it could also be used for warmth, healing, and recovery. 

Montag's development throughout the book was vast. He had begun thinking more about his position in society and noticed how bland it became in the current time. He even had his view on fire change, he'd used it to fire up homes, fantasy, and creation. As time passed, he noticed it was used for comfort as well.  While heading over to his new companions he sees how gentle the fire was and how he felt as if he breathed a little too hard could cause it to go out. This small display makes him rethink and continue his life from a new perspective.