A long time ago, Descartes(1596�1650, French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist) said, "I think, therefore I am." I feel that this statement basically sums up Clarisse's whole life into these five words. She felt that you could only truly live by reading and retaining the imformation from the books. She wanted Montag to believe that books were really important in life, and she wanted to get him to think for himself. How significant do you believe this quote is to Clarisse's life and why?

[This message has been edited by irisheyes88 (edited 09-02-2004).]

I think you hit the nail on the head.

But, Clarisse was raised to think that way. Her family had provided her with a lifestyle and environment where the choice to read wasn't really hers to begin with. So, she was as much a victim of her environment as Montag was a victim of his. She was only propagating what she had been taught, which was self-realization and curiosity as opposed to Montag's civil service and blind faith to what he had been taught.