What Are The Similarities Between Antigone And Fahrenheit 451

Imagine living in a time where books have been banned and your only source of companionship was a screen on the wall. Or picture living in the city of Thebes, where you must risk execution by the king in order to give your dead brother the proper burial he deserves. These two scenarios precisely describe the worlds of Montag, from Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, and Antigone, from Sophocles’ Antigone, respectively. Though the ways in which Antigone and Montag challenge their world’s status quo are very similar, the motives and consequences behind their actions are very different.

One way in which Montag and Antigone’s challenge the status quo similarly is that they both break the law. Montag breaks the law by reading books: “They read the long

71)). Antigone breaks the law by burying Polyneices against Creon’s orders:” Right away she spread thirsty dust with her hands, then poured the three libations from a vessel of fine bronze. And so she crowned the corpse with honor.”(429-431). Both characters commit illegal acts in order to challenge the current state of affairs. Another similarity is that both Montag and Antigone contradict their established roles. As a fireman, Montag’s job is to burn books and, more importantly, relish in the destruction of knowledge. While this may sound fairly simple, committing to this duty becomes increasingly more difficult as events unfold and Montag grows unsatisfied and conflicted towards his job: “I’m so damned unhappy, I’m so mad, and I don’t even know why…I might even start reading books” (pg. 64). His contempt towards book-burning profession grow so great that he’s willing to do the number one unspeakable rule of every fireman—read books. Montag’s growing inclination to read and waning interest to burn clearly contradict his supposed role as a

For instance, Montag challenges the status quo by reading books and taking the time to live within the moment; he starts to notice the autumn leaves, taste the rain, and ask simple questions. Antigone, however, challenges the status quo by defying King Creon’s rules and challenging his authority. One character’s action is spent trying to change a lifestyle while the other is spent trying to confront a figure of authority. These are two very separate approaches. Another distinguishing difference between the Montag and Antigone is their motives. In Fahrenheit, Montag rebels against status quo because he yearns for a meaningful, fulfilling life, and the only way he feels that is possible is through books: “We have everything we need to be happy, but we aren’t happy. Something’s missing. I look around. The only thing I positively knew was gone was the books I’d burn”(page 82). The “missing” aspect is books, or attainable knowledge. Montag’s reasons for defying the norms are purely self-gratifying. Antigone, on the other hand, does not challenge the status quo for self gain. She dares to challenge the Creon and his law because of her brother: “I will bury him...call it a crime of reverence, but I must be good to those who are below” (72-75). In this dialogue, Antigone states that she will bury Polyneices’ body so he can have a proper, respectful mourning, even if it means