The Hearth and the Salamander

Part of Bradbury's dystopia is that human connections have become impersonal and disposable. His relationship with his wife is distant but Clarisse is different. In her eyes he sees a reflection of himself. For the first time in his life he gets a glimpse of who he really is. The moment is a baptism of sorts. Through Clarisse Montag sees a reflection of the man he needs to be. It is the beginning of his radical change; Montag is finally experiencing truth in the eyes of a young stranger.