In Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, Clarisse McClellan is a character who has not been influenced by the society in which she lives. This, combined with her family’s teachings enables her to be wise beyond her years. Because she possesses these special characteristics, she becomes a muse, inspiring Montag to change his most basic beliefs about right and wrong. Clarisse was brought up in a family where she was allowed to think, thus giving her …showed first 75 words of 897 total…

…showed last 75 words of 897 total…him what to believe. It is because of this questioning and Clarisse’s influence that he takes the next step and starts actually reading books. Clarisse comes into Montag’s life unexpectedly. She starts to question him, and make him think. He sees in her a knowledge that he himself does not posses, but wants to. She acts as an all-knowing muse, inspiring him to change his beliefs by showing him who he really is.