The tension
between self-identity and conformity is what eventually separates Guy Montag
from a rapidly changing and subdued society. Guy Montag earns a living by destroying
books as well as all the possessions of those who own books. However, deep down, Guy understands that he is unhappy, and that his
relationship with his wife, Mildred, is not fulfilling. "It was a pleasure
to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened
and changed. With the brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python
spouting its venomous kerosene upon the world, the blood pounded in his head,
and his hands were the hands of an amazing conductor playing all the symphonies
of blazing and burning to bring down the tatters of history” (3). Montag’s need
to burn books is instilled within him from the orders of society. Montag believes his life is perfect and
that he is fulfilled. Clarisse, however, is the catalyst for Montag’s change, and
brings questions into his mind that he never considers doubting. Montag begins
to stop and look at the world around him differently, pausing to observe the beauty
in nature that surrounds him. This turning point marks the beginning of
Montag’s change and quest to find self-identity, and to deflect from society.
Following Montag’s realization that the government does not want him to read
books, he realizes that books give him information that is not mindless and
empty. Montag finds curiosity and language within books, further prompting him
to save them. “The magic is only in what books say, how they
stitched the patches of the universe together into one garment for us” (53).
Beatty reveals to Montag that as the society around
them grows shallower and intellectually vapid, their society stops reading books centered on instant thrill and
gratification. In this culture, books become shorter while magazine and
newspaper articles become easier to read. Television becomes more prevalent,
and entertainment takes the place of intellectual debate and conversation. Guy
Montag and Tris are linked through the desire to find themselves within the capricious
and obedient society in which they live. Tris realizes the danger in choosing a
different faction and how society views them as a threat, “divergence is extremely dangerous” (23). Tris’ inability to identify
with a faction immediately makes her a threat to society, further conveying the
need to be in line with society’s orders. Divergent
and Fahrenheit 451 both exemplify
the need to distinguish oneself from a rapidly conforming society.
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