Fahrenheit 451 And The Book Thief Analysis

Defiance is the act of boldly resisting authority or any opposing force. The cause of defiance is usually a feeling of discontent with one’s life or a strong belief that the opposing side is wrong. In “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury and “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak, the characters revolt against their government because they are unsatisfied with their lives. This leads to their discovery of who they really are. In Fahrenheit 451, all books are banned and anyone who possesses them gets their house burned. In The Book Thief, Hitler’s Nazi party is very strict and enforces many harsh laws for the citizens of Nazi, Germany. However, many of the characters in both of these books chose to defy the law rather than stand by passively. Despite the often negative consequences, defiance liberates the characters because they are standing up for their important values and following their beliefs, leading them to a fulfilling life.

The defiance of the suppressive laws gives these characters an important purpose to work for in life. When Montag visits his friend Faber, he expresses how he had come to the painful realization that he hates burning books. He exclaims, “We have everything we need to be happy, but we aren't happy. Something's missing. I looked around. The only thing I positively knew was gone was the books I'd burned in ten or twelve years. So I thought books might help” (Bradbury, 110). Montag is not happy with his life and his occupation. Therefore, he feels as though

Yet, they are able to find satisfaction in their lives and help others. Their rebellious actions helped them realize how they really felt about their lives and make a difference. Defiance is hard to avoid because is a part of growing up. Nevertheless, it can reveal how passionate people are about their beliefs and figure out who they really