What do you think happened to Clarisse in Fahrenheit 451? Did Beatty know more than he told Montag?

In the classic dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Montag's meeting with Clarisse early in the first part is crucial to his development as a character. He is presented as a fireman who thinks that it is "a pleasure to burn." However, he obviously has conflicted thoughts about what he is doing. After all, as readers discover later, he has been secretly stealing and hoarding books for quite some time.

Montag meets seventeen-year-old Clarisse, and they converse together while they take an evening walk. Clarisse has an energetic spirit and is full of new and fresh ideas. He meets her numerous times after that, and their conversations touch him deeply. He gets to know her and care for her as a unique individual. He is upset when she doesn't show up for their walk one day. He is even more upset when Mildred tells him that Clarisse is dead, having been run over by a car, because he has come to depend on her. She has had the courage to openly express the rebellion and longing for freedom of thought that has been growing in his heart.

After Montag becomes sick, Beatty the fire chief comes to visit him. Beatty is educated, cynical, malevolent, and dedicated to preserving the system that eradicates books. He taunts and threatens Montag. His objective is to frighten Montag into continuing to do his job without question or, failing that, to draw Montag out so that he incriminates himself. Montag (and the readers of the book) may have thought at first that Clarisse simply died in an auto accident, but what Beatty says to Montag calls this simple explanation into question.

Beatty admits that Clarisse's family has been under investigation for some time. He refers to Clarisse as a "time bomb" and says that she is "better off dead." He exclaims, "we know how to nip most of them in the bud," referring to unorthodox young people like Clarisse. These comments lead us to believe that Beatty certainly knows more than he is telling about what happened to Clarisse and that she was probably murdered because of her free-thinking attitudes.

What do you think happened to Clarisse in Fahrenheit 451? Did Beatty know more than he told Montag?

Clarisse McClellan is really like nobody else Montag has ever met. She is full of novel and subversive ideas and enthusiastically shares them with Montag. Their series of conversations has quite the effect on Montag and is largely the reason why he begins to question many of his long-held beliefs. This is because Clarisse, unlike almost everyone else, is not afraid to ask meaningful questions. As their meetings progress, Montag grows to care deeply for Clarisse and respects her as an individual.

One day, when Clarisse does not arrive for one of their regular walks and conversations, Montag becomes very alarmed. The reader never truly discovers what happens to Clarisse. Instead, we are left to wonder if she was really killed in an auto accident, as Mildred says. It is possible that her ideas and questions are too subversive for her to exist in a world in which independent thought is forbidden.

Whatever the case, Montag is deeply distraught by Clarisse's disappearance and the news of her death. She had opened the door to free thought for Montag. Now that Montag has been able to better formulate his doubts, he is unable to imagine how to proceed without Clarisse.

When Captain Beatty comes to visit Montag when he stays home from work, it becomes clear that the fire chief knows more than he lets on. Beatty tells Montag that Clarrise's family are known subversives and that they have been under surveillance for a while. The many disparaging remarks that Beatty makes concerning Clarisse leads us to suspect that Beatty is somehow responsible for Clarisse's disappearance and likely demise.

What are the differences between Montag's and Beatty's opinions of Clarisse in Fahrenheit 451?

When Montag initially meets Clarisse, they strike up a conversation, and Montag thinks that she is a rather odd adolescent. However, Montag is attracted to Clarisse's energetic, enthusiastic personality and can relate to her on some inherent level. The more they spend time together, the more Montag grows to view Clarisse as unique and refreshing. After they initially meet, Montag begins questioning his happiness and starts to cherish the time he spends with his insightful teenage neighbor. The two characters become close friends, and Montag appreciates Clarisse's eccentric personality and uncommon view of the world. Unlike the other citizens in Bradbury's dystopian society, Clarisse enjoys nature and is a curious, intelligent person. She challenges Montag to reject society's superficial values and keeps him company on his walk home from work. The two characters have enlightening conversations, and Montag looks forward to seeing Clarisse every day.

In contrast, Captain Beatty views Clarisse as a nuisance and as a threat to society. In Beatty's opinion, Clarisse is an unhinged menace who follows in the footsteps of her odd parents. Beatty even refers to her as a "time bomb" and tells Montag that the authorities have been keeping a close eye on her family since they moved from Chicago. As a proponent of government censorship and an enemy of intellectualism, Beatty fears independent thinkers like Clarisse. He also refers to Clarisse as "queer" and tells Montag that she is better off dead. Overall, Montag considers Clarisse a close friend and enjoys having enlightening conversations with her, while Captain Beatty views her as a menace and danger to society.

What are some similarities between Montag and Clarisse in Fahrenheit 451?

Clarisse is Montag's intuitive teenage neighbor, who influences him to analyze his life and question their mainstream, senseless culture. Clarisse is portrayed as a charismatic, inquisitive young girl, who enjoys the natural environment and engaging in meaningful conversations. Unlike her peers, Clarisse is motivated to learn about the world and asks relevant questions in her classes. As a social outcast, Clarisse is a rather brave girl, who does not compromise her integrity or individuality to please others.

After meeting Clarisse, Montag examines his life and becomes motivated to dramatically change how he has been living. Montag shares Clarisse's curiosity and desire to engage in meaningful conversations. Similar to Clarisse, Montag also desires to learn about the world and looks to literature for answers. Both characters are depicted as individuals, who do not conform to their superficial, destructive society. Montag and Clarisse also question mainstream culture and defy authority figures in order to genuinely express themselves. Both characters are courageous and maintain their individuality despite the overwhelming pressure to conform. Montag and Clarisse are also considered threats to the authoritarian regime and are on Beatty's radar.

What are some similarities between Montag and Clarisse in Fahrenheit 451?

Although we only meet Clarisse for a short time in the novel, she is instrumental in changing Montag’s views on how to live life and how the destructiveness of the society affects him in Fahrenheit 451.  Clarisse and Montag meet one night walking in the neighborhood and end up talking about their lives.  Montag is philosophically behind Clarisse in his understanding of what happiness, individuality, and freedom mean.   She teaches him about talking to family, reading and discussing important topics, and enjoying the sunset.  Clarisse is the catalyst who eventually opens up Montag’s mind and causes him to rebel against the system of government that not only bans books but bans freedom. 

Their similarities between Clarisse and Montag include being open-minded individuals and being intelligent enough to not succumb to the government’s oppression. Montag just needed a little push from Clarisse to understand the stakes of living life to its fullest despite what society says he should do.