Final answer:
Montag, in 'Fahrenheit 451,' theorizes that the Hound's aggression towards him is due to it being programmed by someone, hinting towards the government's control and surveillance.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Ray Bradbury's novel, 'Fahrenheit 451,' the character Montag has a theory about the Mechanical Hound's behavior. Montag believes that someone must have set the Hound to act aggressively towards him, implying that it was programmed to do so. The Hound is an electronic creature that symbolizes the dehumanization and obedience prevalent in the society. Montag's theory is a central part of the conflict he experiences throughout the story as it speaks to both his individual paranoia, and the broader societal issues of government surveillance and control in his dystopian society where free thought is suppressed.
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