Compare and contrast Clarisse and Mildred with respect to how they chose to spend their time and how they relate to Montag in the book Fahrenheit 451?

Millie forgoes real happiness to immerse herself in the technological gadgets of the age, such as her television walls and seashell radios, which allow her a constant escape from reality. Millie's need for escape also leads her to a suicide attempt that after recovering from, she does not even recall. Eventually, Millie is overwhelmed by her husband's discovery and dedication to books, reports his illegal activity and flees the house. Millie, the epitome of Fahrenheit 451's empty society, is undoubtedly destroyed when the city is decimated by an atomic bomb at the conclusion of the novel.

Clarisse has no taste for the advanced technology her society has come to depend on, and thus represents the antithesis of Millie, Montag's wife. Montag admires Clarisse for her curiosity and awareness of the world around her, and is disturbed by her accurate understanding of his empty, loveless life. Thus, Clarisse is the first to encourage Montag on his path to self-awareness.