You have to obey the laws or fight for your own rights, such as individuality and identity. This is a situation very similar to what Guy Montag experiences in his society in Fahrenheit 451. Montag lives in a world where books are burnt, not read. The government controls much of the population and doesn’t give them an environment to think. This is identified in many places, such as Montag’s mind being subdued by relentless advertisements and his wife Mildred being stuck to television shows all day long. By destroying this way of learning information, the general population is kept from conveying emotions and remembering their past. By developing Montag as a character who is torn between abiding by the law or voicing out his own opinions, thoughts, and feelings, Ray Bradbury presents the importance and power of freedom, individuality, and voice. 

When Montag meets Clarisse, it is the first indication that society is trending towards the wrong direction and it is his first exposure to the idea that what he’s doing may not be right. Montag is a fireman, proud of his accomplishments. He doesn’t realize what society has become, as he is an innocent person living under the controlled minds of the government. However, when he meets Clarisse, things take a turn and Montag is given a glance at the inaccurate and erroneous ways of the current society. Bradbury writes, “‘I’m afraid of children my own age. They kill each other. Did it always used to be that way… Six of my friends have been shot in the last year alone… My uncle says his grandfather remembered when children didn’t kill each other. But that was a long time ago when they had things different. They believed in responsibility…’” (Bradbury 30). When he gets a glimpse of what is incorrect and understands that he is mistaken, Montag uses this conversation to propel him into his journey to find out the real definition and importance of freedom, individuality and independence. Clarisse recalls and tells Montag that she remembers of a time where kids didn’t kill each other. This contradicts what Montag knows about the world, as he is guilt free and unsuspecting. Montag uses what Clarisse tells him to understand and explore the world around him. Montag finds the encouragement to go comprehend why and what is going on around him. He even goes on to read books and meets a group of educated professors near the end that are just like him. Bradbury builds up the plot by introducing Clarisse to the reader and opening a window for Montag. All of this occurs due to the spark and jolt that Clarisse provided when she informed him about times where the population could think for themselves and have opinions, thoughts, and feelings. This scene also conveys importance and seriousness, because previously Montag had not known of a world not like the current one, as indicated when he just laughed off the words of Clarisse when she said there was a time that books weren’t burned. 

After Montag starts to read books, he comprehends the significance of books and independence, and the urgency of understanding the truth behind it. Montag slowly evolves as the book progresses, as shown by his immaturity transforming to ability. His original identity has been changing as he starts to realize the necessity to act fast. Montag is exposed to various forms of manipulation, such as advertisements and music. Montag is on a train when he continuously hears an advertisement again and again. Bradbury writes, “The people who had been sitting a moment before, tapping their feet to the rhythm of Denham’s Dentifrice, Denham’s Dentifrice Dandy Dental Detergent, Denham’s Dentifrice Dentifrice Dentifrice…” (79). He can’t get it out of his head, and understands that he needs to make a change before the world becomes fully dependent on technology, corruption, and manipulation. Furthermore, the idea of freedom isn’t present here nor when loud music is constantly playing, allowing for no thinking to be done. Bradbury states, “The train radio vomited upon Montag, in retaliation, a great tonload of music made of tin, copper, silver, chromium, and brass. The people were pounded into submission” (Bradbury 79). This additionally conveys how the general population is kept in control. When Montag acquires books and starts to read them, he feels strange and the feeling he gets inspires him to go learn more about the society he exists in.

On the last leg of his journey, Montag leaves his city with other educated professors, acknowledging how when a group comes together, a sense of value and purpose is formed. Montag and Faber feel productive when they are with each other and know they both understand. When Montag meets Faber however, it’s not this way. After many productive years, Faber no longer works at an English college. As a result, he feels pale, listless, and spiritless when Montag comes to meet him. Bradbury writes, “The front door opened slowly. Faber peered out, looking very old in the light and very fragile and very much afraid. The old man looked as if he had not been out of the house in years. He and the white plaster walls inside were much the same. There was white in the flesh of his mouth and his cheeks and his hair and his eyes had faded, with white in the vague blueness there” (80). Faber was once an educated professor in a college, but ever since it closed, Faber lost a part of himself. Faber’s flesh has turned white, and white is used as a negative connotation. It symbolizes despair, darkness, and even death. Faber also has lost human contact with others and feels lonely. This is supported by Faber’s cowardice, and how it has prevented him from taking action. Montag, however, views Faber in a positive way, regardless of his physical condition. He visits Faber in one of his loneliest times, exemplifying his trust and confidence in him. Faber’s experience and wisdom is able to drive Montag to accomplish his goal. Faber acts as the driving force inside of Montag. Although Faber doesn’t manipulate Montag a lot, he helps him find his way to finding answers to life. The burning of books has taken a mental and emotional toll on him, when Bradbury notes details such as “white in the flesh of his mouth” and “looking very old in the light”. Faber also shows his admiration and loyalty towards books, regardless of how much time has passed when he says “It’s been a long time. I’m not a religious man. But it’s been a long time.’ Faber sniffed the book. ‘Do you know that books smell like nutmeg or some spice from a foreign land?”(Bradbury 81). Montag’s evolving attitude represents the change from when he started. He pursues books and understands the importance of learning and preserving books. Additionally, this connects Montag and Faber’s attitude towards freedom and the ability to think for oneself. The entire reason Montag joins Faber and the other educated professors is to feel as though he isn’t by himself and there are others just like him, waiting for the individuality and singleness they deserve. Being united as a group is comforting to them because it gives them a purpose, and the motivation and incentive to make the world a better place. Being in a group means people can help each other and together as a group, they can have an impactful voice and face the unlawful and unethical ways of their society. 

When the book comes to a close, Guy Montag contextualizes his view of the world as taking a turn in the correct direction, where people can think and express their thoughts freely. Montag hasn’t completed his job, but he acts as an igniting spark for the cause of freedom. He explains, “And someday, after it sets in us a long time, it’ll come out our hands and mouths. And a lot of it will be wrong, but just enough of it will be right. We’ll just start walking today and see the world and the way the world walks around and talks, the way it really looks” (Bradbury 161). This sums the book up beautifully as Montag knows that although the world hasn’t completely changed, changes have started to take place. Montag’s adventure from innocent to conscious serves as a reminder that the world may not be perfect, but that every single person is entitled to their own opinion and deserves their originality, character, and identity.