Reaction about Fahrenheit 451 (up to page 28)

“Are you happy?”

That simple question made Montag realize he was not as happy as he thought he was. He had never stopped to think about that matter. He was lying himself, because he wore his happiness like a mask, while in his deep soul he was unhappy. But he hadn’t become conscious about it up to the moment when he talks with Clarisse. Clarisse makes him think about several little aspects of life, to which he had never paid attention before.

Clarisse was a curious 17 year-old girl that appreciated the little things of life. She enjoyed doing simple activities, like looking at the moon or tasting the rain, which most of the people didn’t have time to even imagine.

On the other hand we have Mildred, Montag’s wife. She is thirty and yet Clarisse seemed so much older at times, said Montag. Mildred enjoyed watching soap-operas, believing that she took part of them. Her whole life went around them. She was an ignorant.

Actually the majority of the people were ignorant. This was all planned by the government, because it was useful for them so as to control citizens; they didn’t want them to think. That’s why books were burned, to avoid education, because intelligent persons may question the actions or the decisions taken by the authorities and could try to reduce their power.

Clarisse thought. This was dangerous for the politic system. The government could attempt to kill her if they discover it, that’s why her uncle advised her to say she was insane, so as to protect her from suspicious people.