Question

What did Montag want to accomplish in Fahrenheit 451?

Answer 1

Montag wanted Faber to educate him about the world and books – about what the world is really like

Answer 2

This question can be interpreted in different ways, depending on your view of the story. I personally think that Montag wished to experience something deeper in the world, beyond what he had always known, with the technology and control of the general leaders of his existence (one example might be Beatty, a fellow fireman, whom resisted Montag's apparent urge to change key points of the society, such as ending the burning of books). I believe that he wanted what many others desired throughout the story, whether or not they realized it - a greater sense of freedom, of individuality. It seemed that he wanted to break away from his repetitive tendencies at various plot points, such as, when Mildred (or "Millie), Montag's wife, overdosed on sleeping pills, and had to be cleaned out by a "snake-like" machine, and two unprofessional men, that seemed more like mechanics than doctors. It was also apparent that Montag wanted to accomplish more, in general (including for himself), when he cried, after reading a book, rather than burning it, and watching an old woman burn with her library (rather than allow them to go without her). He realized that there was enough meaning in literature, beyond government propaganda in rule books, and cited by citizens, that someone would give their life, as opposed to giving into social pressures (such as the demand to destroy books). When he ran from the city, he did so with more awareness of himself, and the world (though he still may not have contained much of that, considering the way in which he had been living for so long), despite the fact that a war was soon to break out, with the rest of the world, of which was poor and unlooked after. To conclude, Montag had the ability to see beyond what he believed to be his reality, and could see in a way that very few others likely could for years. It isn't clear whether or not he had the motive to change the lives of every corrupted person...but he certainly made more progress in his ambitions, than many others of the time. Perhaps this is his legacy.