Montag learns a number of lessons throughout Fahrenheit 451. Most striking, perhaps, is the lesson that appearances can be deceptive. For Montag, this lesson becomes apparent from the beginning of the novel, when he realizes his wife, Mildred, is desperately unhappy (as shown by her overdose attempt) and that their marriage is wholly superficial.
This lesson is further reinforced by Montag's relationship with Clarisse McClellan. On the surface, Clarisse is a social outsider; she is kept under surveillance by the authorities and is regarded with suspicion for her free-thinking and non-conformity. Through his conversations with Clarisse, Montag realizes she represents freedom and true happiness and that censorship and book-burning are the real social evils. This realization prompts Montag to rethink the direction of his life and take the first step on the path to rebellion.
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