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Where can an example of depression be found in Fahrenheit 451?
Quick answer:
Depression in Fahrenheit 451 is exemplified through Mildred's overdose on sleeping pills, highlighting a widespread societal issue as emergency services handle similar cases frequently. Montag also experiences depression, reflected in his troubled reaction to Clarisse's probing about his happiness and his shock at witnessing a woman immolate herself with her books. These events force Montag to confront his dissatisfaction with life, leading to his emotional withdrawal and reluctance to continue his work.
As the above answer indicates, Mildred is the best example of a depressed person in Fahrenheit 451. However, Montag may also be depressed. He never becomes suicidal, but there are at least two places in the novel that point to his depression. The first is his troubled reaction to meeting Clarisse. The fact that she actually engaged with him and sincerely wanted to know about him is something he hasn't experienced in a long time, and it leads to his understanding of how mechanically he has been living. When she asks him if he is happy, he says yes, but after she is gone, he has to admit to himself that
He was not happy. He was not happy. He said the words to himself. He recognized this as the true state of affairs. He wore his happiness like a mask . . .
In a second instance, Montag...
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reacts with shock to the woman who immolates herself and dies when the firemen come to her house and burn her books. Mildred can't understand how upset he is or why. Montag then more or less shuts down. He gets into bed with a book under his pillow, and claims he is too sick to go to work. In fact, he is heartsick and depressed. He doesn't want to continue on in his job or face up to the life he has been leading.
One of the best examples of depression in the book is when Montag comes home and finds his wife near death. She has taken an overdose of sleeping pills. It is found in the first section of the book. He comes home, finds his wife, calls the emergency services and they revive her. The next day she doesn't remember a thing. In my edition of "Fahrenheit 451" it is on page 18-19. Montag asks one of the men from emergency services why they didn't bring a doctor with them and the man replies, "Hell! We get these cases nine or ten a night. Got so many, starting a few years ago, we had the special machines built." This quote indicates that there is a great deal of depression in the world of Montag.