##ity And Conformity In Ray Bradburys Fahrenheit 451

Conformity is when one complies with rules or regulations, typically relating to social norms or expectations. In Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, Montag lives in a society where people value conformity and obedience to the government. In this society, the government uses censorship and installs strict social regulations on its population to control them to act the same, behave the same, and think the same. Citizens are a part of a population seemingly brainwashed by the oppressive government that controls their daily lives. In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury portrays how outside forces can influence the thoughts and moral traits of the characters. In the beginning, Montag acted as everyone else did in his society, conforming to the government†¦show more content†¦Montag and the rest of society were taught that books were evil and so they do not question books. Without having anyone to influence them and change their beliefs, Montag and everyone else act the same way. However, Montag starts changing when he starts to question things in ways he has never done before after his encounter with Clarisse. In their first meeting, Clarisse tells Montag that she had once heard that firemen used to put out fires instead of starting them and Montag laughs at this. Clarisse then says, â€Å"You laugh when I haven’t been funny and you answer right off. You never stop to think what I’ve asked you† (8). The people in this society don’t engage in real conversations and ultimately have no mind of their own. By saying this Clarisse challenges Montag to actually think about things. Clarisse also makes Montag question his own happiness in life when she asks him if he’s happy (10). Montag initially thinks that it’s a ridiculous question and he believes that he is obviously happy. However, this question effectively leaves Montag wondering about his contentment with life: â€Å"He was not happy† (12). Montag realizes that he is in fact not happy with his current life as a fireman and with his relationship with Mildred. Clarisse offers Montag a new perspective on life that he has never really considered. Montag at first was as brainwashed as the majority in the society, but thanks