Clarisse McClellan is an extremely inquisitive and thoughtful seventeen year old who, at first, is irritating to Montag, the main character in Fahrenheit 451. Through questioning, she challenges everything that is ingrained in Guy Montag's brain. Clarisse forces Montag to loosen the mask of happiness and take a deeper look into his soul. The author, Ray Bradbury, uses Clarisse as an important tool to further the impact of the many themes in Fahrenheit 451. Her relationship with Montag causes him to question the purpose of life and through questioning, he sees that true happiness is not a reality if books are banned. She is also a symbol that seeking knowledge is of utmost importance. Lastly, she represents hope that future of mankind will be a prosperous one. Clarisse McClellan only appears briefly, yet is crucial in furthering the development of several themes in Fahrenheit 451. .
Clarisse sparks an interest to learn in Montag. For Montag, she creates an urge to ask questions. When Guy Montag first meets Clarisse, before she leaves, she asks him if he is happy. "She seemed to remember something and came back to look at him with wonder and curiosity. "Are you happy?" she said." After that she disappears into her house and as Montag enters his house, he contemplates his own happiness. He tries to persuade himself that he is truly happy. As their relationship progresses, Clarisse talks to Montag about things that Montag had never thought about before. Montag realizes that Clarisse is different than normal people. She enjoys hiking, catching butterflies, and thinking independently which is strange in a world where books are exchanged for hollow entertainment and instantaneous gratification. Clarisse, in her innocence and unique individuality, signifies the value of real education and the importance of the quest for knowledge.
For Clarisse, it is not "how" that is important, it is "why". Explaining that the schools are not a place of thinking, Montag says, "School is shortened, discipline relaxed, philosophies, histories, languages dropped, English and spelling gradually gradually neglected, finally almost completely ignored.