Examples Of Archetype In Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a novel showing the “Hero’s Journey” archetype. This archetype shows the typical adventure of the hero, who goes out and achieves great deeds on behalf of the civilization. In this book, the protagonist and “hero”, Guy Montag, rebels against government laws set in the dystopian society. He goes on a journey to preserve literature from becoming obsolete and meaningless.

While walking home, Guy meets Clarisse, a curious seventeen- year- old. This signals the Call to Adventure; Clarisse expands Montag’s thinking, and makes him question his society. “Are you happy?” (Bradbury 7). Montag has always seen himself as happy, but until Clarisse asked, he realized he is not happy. His wife is a ‘stranger’ and a drug addict

and he is questioning the true meaning of their society. But, Montag ignores this truth and continues on with his everyday schedule; working as a firefighter and later walking to his house with a inquisitive Clarisse accompanying him to their neighborhood until Clarisse later dies in a car crash. This is the Refusal of the Call; the protagonist fears of the unknown and tries to decline the adventure. The beginning of the adventure is when Montag collects books and reveals their presence to others. With this action, he is making himself a threat to the government and Captain Beatty. The beginning of Fahrenheit 451 aligns with the first three steps of the Hero’s Journey Archetype.
The Initiation Stage begins with the Road of Trials when Montag burns Mrs.

Blake; she was a martyr towards preserving books, with a library full of them. Montag was told to burn her along with the books; after, he was instantly overcome by guilt and wonder. “There must be something in books, things we can’t imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house... you don’t stay for nothing.” (Bradbury 48). With this realization, Montag becomes aware of the problems of the society and over the next few weeks encounters many hardships. Another challenge in the Road of Trials was Montag’s house being burned down. Through this tragic event, his wife is gone, he has no resources, and Guy is a government fugitive. Through the Road of Trials, Montag experiences Unconditional Love from his mentor, Faber. This is when a mentor or family provides support to the protagonist. Faber supports Montag to pursue his plan to preserve literature even when his wife leaves him, his house is burned down, and he is a rebel and a threat to Beatty. Guy Montag is able to escape to the countryside, where he is free of the government, and is able to think and do as he pleases. This would be the Ultimate Boon; while the goal of the quest is not achieved, Montag is free and will be able to save more books over

time.