Montag is the hero in the book. One thing I noticed right away was that he could not stop himself from thinking. Besides that, he is pretty passionate when he believes something, and he gets frustrated easily too.
In the beginning of the book, he complains to himself about his “subconscious idiot that ran babbling at times (Bradbury 11).” What that subconscious was thinking just before that, however, was really quite lovely in my opinion. It if was not for his thoughts, he probably would have ignored Clarisse. Instead, the things she said made him curious, and he asks a whole lot of questions the next time they meet (Bradbury 21). Eventually, his interest in what Clarisse talked about turns into an interest in books (Bradbury 51). Of course, interest presupposes thought. His thoughtful nature is the driving force in the plot, because it puts him in conflict with the thoughtless society.
When Clarisse starts questioning him about being a fireman, after a while he starts laughing (nervously?) and getting defensive (Bradbury 8). He thinks that he very much loves being a fireman, and really does not want to hear anything that may even imply that it is wrong. He also thinks he loves his wife, and objects vehemently when Clarisse teases him about not being (Bradbury 22). When he believes something, he defends it passionately, because he wants to feel passionately about it.
Another thing about Montag does a lot is get frustrated. He really has quite a short fuse. When Clarisse asks him if he is happy, the question frustrates and bothers him (Bradbury 10). When his wife and her friends are watching the television thing, he gets so frustrated with their ignorance that he tries reading them poetry (Bradbury 100). He gets so frustrated that he can not stop himself from doing something stupid like that. He just gets so frustrated all of the time, and he really could not have helped getting found out.
Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Ballantine, 1996. Print.
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