Dystopian Exploration of Emotional Suppression in Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 is a novel about how the world would be without feelings, emotions, and knowing what you want in life. Mildred Montag and Clarisse McClellan are two different characters in the novel that act in very diverse ways. The main distinctions between Mildred and Clarisse is that, their personalities are different, they have different views on life, and their feelings toward Guy are completely dissimilar.

Mildred Montag is one of the main characters in Fahrenheit 451. Mildred has many struggles and difficulties.

She is unrealistic, cares only about herself, and doesn’t show any real emotions. Guy Montag is her husband, but yet it doesn’t feel that way in the novel. No emotions are showed between the two, they sleep in different beds, and their views are both very different. Mildred’s main hobby is watching television. She is unexciting, vacant, and obsessed with television. Throughout the novel nothing new is said about Mildred, her character doesn’t change and nor do her feelings.

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In one part of the novel, Guy asks her how she feels about life, is she satisfied, is she happy? “I’m proud of it (Bradbury 26) ” she says, and she convinces herself to be content even though she is not.

Clarisse McClellan is one of the characters that have an immense impact in Montag’s life. Clarisse has an independent mind; she has intellect and shows feelings and emotions. Innocence is her strength and is one of the realistic characters in the novel. Clarisse has a short part in the novel but made a full impact on the main character; Montag.

Something that she shows is being normal and just enjoying the fine things in life. In one part of the novel she says to Montag, "Isn't this a nice time to walk? I like to smell things and look at things, and sometimes stay up all night, walking and watch the sunrise (Bradbury, 7).” It shows how she appreciates what she has, she isn’t afraid of anyone, and she know how to just be herself.

Clarisse’s feelings towards Montag in the book make a big influence on him. When she first meets him she isn’t afraid to express herself. She walks along him as he goes home and says, "Do you mind if I walk back with you? I’m Clarisse McClellan (Bradbury, 6).” This just shows how different she is and how she is not afraid to act the way she does.