10. Follow Montag's ideological progression. Where does it truly begin and what are the most important instances that spur its growth? Use specific examples from the text in your argument.
Montag's ideology changes in a big way over the course of the book Fahrenheit 451. In the beginning of the book, Montag likes his job as a fireman, and agrees with the policies that go with it. " He wanted above all, like the old joke, to shove a marshmallow on a stick in the furnace, while the flapping pigeon-winged books died on the porch and lawn of the house." (3). Then, he meets a girl named Clarisse McClellan, who thinks a lot differently than almost everyone else Montag has met. Clarisse asks Montag a question that really gets Montag to think about his life how it is. " Then she seemed to remember something and came back to look at him with wonder and curiosity 'Are you happy?' she said." (10). This question leads to Montag questioning everything that he believes in. " 'God, it's gotten big on me. I don't know what it is. I'm so damned unhappy, I'm so mad, and I don't know why. I feel like I'm putting on weight. I feel fat. I feel like I've been saving up a lot of things, and don't know what. I might even start reading books.' " (64).
After reading these books, he feels that he has to make sure that they are preserved. He thinks of people that may be able to help him, and he thinks of an old man that he met in the park. " Montag went to his bedroom closet and flipped through his file-wallet to the heading: FUTURE INVESTIGATIONS (?). Fabers' name was there. He hadn't turned it in and he hadn't erased it." (75). He meets the old man, and he gives Montag a communication system to put in his ear so that Faber can stay safe in his home and still help Montag. Montag then tries to trick Beatty, the fire captain, by giving him only one book. It is not illegal for a fireman to take one book, so Montag thinks that as long as he turns one in, he will be off the hook. However, Beatty discovers him, and takes action against Montag's book collection. " 'Why,' said Montag slowly, 'we've stopped in front of my house' " (110). Then, because Beatty will destroy the books, and find Faber, Montag makes a big decision. " And then he (Beatty) was a shrieking blaze, a jumping, sprawling gibbering mannikin, no longer human or known, all writhing flame on the lawn as Montag shot one continuous pulse of liquid fire on him" (119). Montag goes from being completely happy with burning books, to killing Beatty to protect them. His views regarding books greatly changed over the course of the book.
