The others would never do that. The others would walk off and leave me talking. Or threaten me. No one has time any more for anyone else. You're one of the few who put up with me " (Bradbury 23) Montag had never observed the moon or paid any close attention to nature before. Clarisse also gets Montag to taste the rain, also something that he had never done before. "The rain feels good. I love to walk in it."" Montag then responds, "I don't think I'd like that"" (Bradbury 21). After Clarisse left, Montag decides to taste the rain as well. "And she ran off and left him standing there in the rain. Only after a long time did he move, he tilted his head back in the rain, for just a few moments, and opened his mouth" (Bradbury 24). It can be concluded that Montag had drawn a liking to Clarisse because she gets Montag to think. Montag may also like Clarisse because she is unlike everyone else in society, which makes her a significant character. In addition, Montag had also never interacted with anyone that made him analyze life and had a different perspective of society. Thus, Clarisse is responsible for a change in Montag, which also makes her a significant character in Fahrenheit 451. .
Mildred Montag is also responsible for the change in Montag. Mildred is a looking glass of how society acts and behaves. Mildred has a negative influence on Montag and through her actions, persuades Montag not to become conformed to society, indirectly. As the novel progresses, Montag does not desire to become conformed to society and refuses to do anything that is related book burning because he refuses to become like Mildred or others in society. Montag dislikes the fact that Mildred spends most of her time involving herself in the technological aspects of life. He also dislikes the idea that her mental and emotional state of mind is simply vacant and brainwashed like most people in society. Due to Mildred's actions and behavior towards Montag, she changes him by indirectly influencing him not to become who she is.
