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

doing something thrilling that is against the law will satisfy him and lead him to learn who he really is in life. Liesel’s rebelliousness also satisfies her desire to read, despite the fact that many books are banned by the Nazi party. When Liesel picks up a copy of The Grave Digger’s Handbook, Death says that “The book thief had struck for the first time – the beginning of an illustrious career” (Zusak, 29). Liesel commits criminal acts to protect books and learns to read them. This is Liesel’s way of fighting back against them since she cannot physically fight back. She finally has an occupation that she can work for and it gives her a sense of self-satisfaction. Rudy’s self-satisfaction comes from stealing as well. After a hard day at the Hitler Youth with Liesel, Liesel “realized it was most likely these sodden days at the Hitler Youth that fed his, and subsequently her own, desire for crime . . . there was more stealing to be done” (Zusak 271). The severity and cruelty by strict Hitler Youth leaders cause Rudy and Liesel to commit some crimes of their own to rebel against the strict rules of the society. Rudy’s criminality is driven by the daily hunger he and his family feel, so he has an important cause to work for by stealing food. Becoming an anomaly in society brings these characters something to achieve in order to make their world a better place.
By revolting against the laws, the characters find people that are truly their friends and support their causes, as well as the people who do not. Montag tells Faber that he wants to do something to help reinforce literature within the society. Faber agrees and says, "A few bombs and the families in the walls of all the houses, like harlequin rats, will shut up! In the silence, our stage whisper might carry'” (Bradbury 117). Faber also believes in the value of literature. He thinks that just with a few books (bombs) made, there may be hope for the preservation of words. Faber supports Montag and shows that there is hope for a happy future by defiance. On the other hand, Montag’s coworker Beatty does not support Montag. When he finds out that Montag has books in his house he tells him, “A problem gets too burdensome, then into the furnace with it. Now, Montag, you're a burden. And fire will lift you off my shoulders" (Bradbury 141). Beatty does not agree with Montag, and is furious that Montag defies the law and wants to kill him with fire. Montag realizes that Beatty was never a true friend or supporter and ends up burning him later on. Liesel also discovers an unexpected supporter and friend through her thievery. When she goes to Ilsa Hermann’s house, she finds a note from her that says, “I was glad that you took what was rightfully yours. I then made the mistake of thinking that would be the end of it. . . I could hear you the last time, but I decided to leave you alone . . . My only hope is that one day you will know on the front door and enter the library in the more civilized manner” (Zusak 369). Ilsa Hermann appreciates the fact the Liesel took her book for a good reason. Even though Liesel keeps stealing from her, Ilsa is not angry about it. Rather, she supports Liesel and suggests that she knocks next time. It is clear that she likes Liesel and wants her to return, even if it means stealing a few books in the process.
The characters’ defiance not only benefits themselves, but it helps others and awakens them to important values. Montag decides to read a paragraph of Dover Beach to Mildred’s friends. After a few verses, he was surprised to see that “Mrs. Phelps was crying. She sobbed uncontrollably. . . ‘I don’t know why [I’m crying], I just don’t know” (Bradbury 129). Mildred’s friend Clara Phelps is actually moved by the poem. Subconsciously the members of Montag’s society still possess the ability to be moved by literature, even though they are no longer exposed to it. It is feelings like these that cause people to think and question, which society has tried so hard to suppress. Montag’s defiance in reading a book has awakened Mrs. Phelps to the importance of literature. Liesel also helps awaken her neighbors to the power of words. When Liesel’s whole neighborhood was in a basement during a bomb raid, she decides to read The Whistler, her stolen book, to comfort them. As she reads, she could “feel their frightened eyes hanging on to her as she hauled the words in and breathed them out…the sound of the turning page carved them in half. Liesel read on . . . the youngest kids were soothed by her voice, and everyone else saw visions of the whistler running from the crime scene” (Zusak 381). Liesel recognizes that she can make others happy by reading the words from a book that has been banned from the strict society. Her neighbors appreciate the soothing distraction and realize how powerful a book can be in appeasing their emotions. Rudy is affected by Hans’ rebellion in giving bread to the less fortunate. When the miserable, emaciated Jews were parading down Himmel Street, Rudy decides to place some bread on the road for them. Rudy says this is a good idea because Liesel’s “papa did” (Zusak 440). Liesel is shocked how “things had changed, from fruit stealer to bread giver. . . she heard his stomach growl--and he was giving people bread” (Zusak 440). Rudy becomes more like Hans, a German who defies the law and feeds the poor Jews. Rudy feels the pain of others and is no longer interested in satisfying his own desires, even though he is always hungry. His values begin to change because of another kind-hearted, rebellious character.
Overall, the characters in “Fahrenheit 451” and “The Book Thief” rebel against the laws of their society and face difficult obstacles along the way.

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

are.