In a world that chooses ignorance over knowledge, Clarisse represents the few youth that have not been corrupted by the government. Clarisse is described to have blonde hair and a clean, almost translucent, complexion. This description is representative of her mind that has been unmarred by the government that wishes to blindfold their citizens. Clarisse is also used by Bradbury to show the importance family has on a child's political socilalization. Clarisse's family are some of the few who have a grasp on the freedom of the past and choose knowledge over ignorant conformity. Montag and Millie have a completely disconnected, dysfunctional relationship and therefore they find themselves without the strength to question the government. Clarisse's family are the reason for her nonconformity. Bradbury also uses Clarisse to present nature. Nature is presented as innocence and truth, beginning with Clarisse’s adolescent love for nature. She convinces Montag to taste the rain and rub a dandelion under his chin and the experience changes him irrevocably. His escape from the city into the country is a revelation to him, showing him power and knowledge that nature has to offer.
I feel as though Bradbury was trying to shock his audience through his creation of futuristic technology and that took away from his overall message. I find that the books that do not stray too far away from the status quo are the novels that translate the fear of technological advances the best. I particularly enjoyed Clarisse's "Stargirl like" character and found that the statement Bradbury made with her death was extremely powerful. I also enjoyed the complexity of Beatty's character and his use of quotes from literary words that added irony to his seemingly evil character. Whether or not he is an evil character is a different discussion. The ending of this novel was my favorite of the marking period as Montag embraces nature, knowledge, and the willingness to remember for future generations.
