Ray Bradbury’s science-fiction novel  Fahrenheit 451 has literary elements that strengthen
its interpretation.  The theme of this novel is the significance of a person’s independent
thought.  The literary movement of this piece of literature is Romanticism.  Through the
use of Guy Montag, an emotionally distressed individual who realizes the importance of
independent thinking, Fahrenheit 451’s theme and literary movement are better
understood.
	The theme of Fahrenheit 451 is the importance of an individual’s independent
thought and the individual’s creative ability.  Guy Montag never thought about what he
did because he was told what he did was appropriate for society, and also he is happy with
his role in society.  He felt like that until he met Clarisse McClellan, a 17 year-old girl that
society calls a mental case because she questions society.  She “teaches” Montag about the
past when society did not fear the firemen. When he talked to the his colleagues they laugh
at him because they believe what their handbook says.  “The only action these characters
take is to maintain their status quo-the way things are.  In contrast, Clarisse, Montag and
Faber are individuals who wonder about their world and, in the case of Montag and Faber,
are able to make attempts to change things” (Telgen 145).He had been taking the books at
some of the midnight runs he had, but never really wanted to find out what is written in
them until after he found out that Clarisse died. A person that helped Montag expand his
creativity was Professor Faber.  He was a man that Montag remembered he had met when
he needed someone else’s guidance to do the right thing for himself.  Professor Faber tells
Montag about how society has depended on technology for many things and that 
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technology threatened the development of the mind.  “In Bradbury’s novel, education’s
emphasis on technology leads to a culture where people understand how things are done
but never bother to wonder why things are done” (Levy 1314).  This type of education
does not encourage the persons with unique abilities to look into depth and find a reason
for why things are done.  “School is shortened, discipline relaxed, philosophies, histories,
languages dropped, English and spelling gradually gradually neglected, finally almost
completely ignored.  Life is immediate, the job counts, pleasure lies about after work. 
Why learn anything, save pressing buttons, pulling switches, fitting nuts and bolts?”
(Bradbury 55-6).  This is the quote that Captain Beatty, Montag’s boss, said to Montag
when Montag was not sure about being a fireman.
	Novels have many aspects that influence the author in determining the type of plot
they should include.  The literary movement of Fahrenheit 451 is Romanticism.  It has six
different characteristics: 1) emphasizes individualism, spontaneity, and freedom from rules;
2) shows a solitary life, not a life in society; 3) shows a belief that imagination is superior
to reason; 4) reflects a devotion to beauty; 5) shows a love and worship of nature and
fascination with the past, especially with myths and the supernatural; 6) shows a
passionate love of country (Donnell 2).  Montag emphasizes disposition, whimsical
tendency, and salvation from regulations by changing his belief about community after
being a fireman for 12 years.  “Bradbury has been called a romantic, and his romanticism
often surfaces in the themes he investigates: the conflict between human vitality and
spiritless mechanism, between the creative individual and the conforming group,...”
(Paradowski 356).  Clarisse McClellan and her family showed a life not within the
standards of society and also they are people that remain alone and not associate with
society.  
	We had some false alarms on the McClellans, when they lived in Chicago.  Never
	found a book.  Uncle had mixed records; antisocial.  The girl?  She was a time 	
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	bomb.  The family had been feeding her subconscious, I’m sure, from what I saw
	of her school record.  She didn’t want to know how a thing was done, but why.
	(Bradbury 60)  
What Captain Beatty said about the McClellans proves they were considered outcasts. 
Professor Faber shows the confidence that imagination is greater to understanding.  This
was proven by the quote, “The magic is only in what books say, how they stitched the
patches of the universe together into one garment for us” (83).  This means that the only
things that is needed is the information provided in books that help explain the items that
are not explained by the reason.
	The plot and theme are captured more thoroughly through the use of distinct
characters and their points of view.  The protagonist of the novel is Guy Montag, a
thirty-year-old fireman who followed his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps.  Montag has
black hair and brows.  “Had he ever seen a fireman that didn’t have black hair, black
brows, a fiery face, and a blue-steel shaved but unshaved look?  These men were all mirror
images of himself!” (33). He is a person who likes children and is a diligent worker. 
Montag is a person who respects his role in society and does not ask any questions about
it.  In the beginning, he has no real motivation, but one can say that his motivation is to
burn the books and live a life along the standards of society.  “He knew that when he
returned to the firehouse, he might wink at himself, a minstrel man, burnt- corcked, in the
mirror” (4).  This is what Montag depicted himself after he does his job and comes into
the firehouse to wash up.  His most important accomplishment was when he went to
Professor Faber to understand what books were for and why they are considered to be
destructive.  After his encounter with Professor Faber, he believed that books were worth
risking his freedom for, and saving them should be his top priority.  His relationship with
his wife Mildred was not based on complete happiness.  Montag got along with Professor
Faber because he went to him for wisdom, and he was willing to do anything he was told 
   											
to.  Professor Faber wants Montag to start thinking and deciding what he wants to do by
himself and not follow anyone else’s instructions.  The author’s style was based on the
structure of the novel.  Each part of the novel has something to do with Montags feelings
and thoughts.  “Part one is called ‘The Hearth and Salamander.’  Montag enjoys his work
as a fireman in this section, but also begins to find his inner voice as doubts set in” (Telgen
145).  The title of this section is related to how Montag is described in the beginning.  
	 The analysis of a novel can be presented in many ways in accordance with the
manner of writing shown by the author.  Ray Bradbury provided the theme for the novel
Fahrenheit 451 with the use of the literary movement Romanticism.  The theme of the
novel was the importance of an individual’s thought and aesthetic capability.  Guy Montag
is used to enhance the interpretation of this theme and literary movement.  Hence, the use
of Guy Montag has proved to be beneficial in understanding this piece of literature.  His
qualities have helped Ray Bradbury prove his point to his audience and teach them the
dangers of depending of technology more than on the human mind, which is far more
powerful and capable according to him.