Guy Montag As A Heroic Figure In Fahrenheit 451

Analyze the ways in which Guy Montag can be considered a heroic figure.

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”-Christopher Reeve
In Ray Bradbury’s novel ‘Fahrenheit 451’, the main character, Guy Montag, begins to question society and the strict rules which accompany his daily life. In this world, Montag is a fireman dedicated to burning houses containing books. In his society, books are viewed as the plague and the knowledge they contain must be eliminated at all costs. The main story follows Montag as he struggles to accept the rules. However, the tone of the novel greatly changes when Montag is influenced by a strange girl, Clarisse, and reaches a turning point where

There are certain attributes easily associated with the word hero, like bravery and courage. Or the character is considered a hero simply because they are the main focus of the novel. In ‘Fahrenheit 451’, Montag fits both previous requirements, as he is brave enough to rebel in society and is the main character. However, Montag is so much more than just courageous and the focus of the novel, as he changes and develops into a strong moral individual who withstands the indoctrination and pressure of the extremely artificial world he lives in, under his curiosity and with the help and influence of

Montag had been working as a fireman for ten years, burning books and the houses of those who dare to read. He has spent his life enforcing the rules and making sure people abide by them, but Montag’s curiosity gets the best of him. Everything changes when his hand separates from his nervous system and grabs a book out of it’s own accord. “Montag's hand closed like a mouth, crushed the book with wild devotion, with an insanity of mindlessness to his chest...Montag had done nothing. His hand had done it all, his hand, with a brain of its own, with a conscience and a curiosity in each trembling finger, had turned thief. Now, it plunged the book back under his arm, pressed it tight to sweating armpit, rushed out empty, with a magician's flourish! Look here! Innocent! Look!(34)” Montag did not consciously steal the books, he was afraid of his actions, but his hands would not listen to his brain. He knows his actions are wrong in society and he is willing to admit that at the beginning, but once he begins to read things change. The laws no longer matter to him and are not going to get in his way. The books along with Clarisse’s influence allow Montag to become a critical thinker and the importance of free thought is continually reiterated throughout the novel. Montag is a hero as he is able to withstand the pressure of society and gain knowledge from