Montag and Truman both undergo a radical change in perspective over the course of their narratives, moving from acceptance of their society and their place in it to a critique of the social order they have grown up in, followed by a complete breaking away. Both characters are influenced to do this in part by unsatisfactory marriages and in part by other women who prod them to listen to questions they have been suppressing about what is really going on. In Montag's case, his young neighbor Clarisse encourages him to live more in reality and see the natural world around him. In Truman's case, it's Lauren who tries to explain to him that he is living in a reality show. A chief difference between Montag and Truman is that Montag is not the object of a mass deception in the way that Truman is.
As each character wakes up to the reality that all is not well in their canned, dumbed-down world, each begins to push back against the limitations built into their culture. For Montag, this manifests as a desire to read books. In Truman, it expresses itself as a desire to travel. In both cases, what they desire is forbidden fruit.
As they struggle to embrace themselves, each character grows on the inside and finds the courage to seek freedom. Both have to take risks to break free of their cultures and both do so through a dangerous physical journey that tests their mettle.
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