Two Distinct Protagonists: One Major Theme

One central element an author must fulfill as they are writing a tale is whether their fictional figure will be characterized as dynamic or static. Generally, in most works of literary fiction, the primary characters resemble a dynamic role within the basis of their storyline. A sudden epiphany sparks in their life, eventually enabling them to experience character change and development; though it is never certain when and how this metamorphosis change will transpire. Does love at first sight compel this dramatic modification in one’s life? Or is it when characters realize they are imprisoned in a dystopian society, living a lie? There are varying scenarios of dynamic change, in a multitude of novels. Often, dynamic characters, in most pieces of literature, typically run into a certain point during their lifespan, where a sense of change transcends within themselves. The 1950 science fiction chef-d'oeuvre, Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, and the Elizabethan drama, Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, both demonstrate dramatic change that impacts major characters, such as Montag and Juliet, as they go against the norms of their society.

Particularly, in the American futuristic dystopia, depicted in the allegorical novel Fahrenheit 451, the protagonist, Guy Montag, changes significantly throughout the narrative. Montag is known as a loyal citizen and a third-generation fireman, who rarely questions the beliefs of his society, and eventually develops into an open-minded intellectual when he discovers that there are more to books and knowledge than asserted to be in his society. Books hold the secrets to knowledge, such as philosophy, literature, history, and religion. Within his society, Montag serves as a fireman. The term “fireman”, according to the novel, is defined differently than its usual meaning- whereas firemen in the real world extinguish fires, the firemen in Montag’s society use fire to burn books. At the initiating point of this story, Ray Bradbury attempts to lure his readers when displaying, descriptively, the satisfaction Montag reflects regarding his life and career. Montag truly loves his job as a fireman; the way the books burn, turning into charcoal, when handling his flamethrower, and inhaling the kerosene filling the atmosphere, please him. The author, Bradbury, demonstrates Montag’s true expression towards his job when claiming, “It was a pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed… his hands were the hands of some amazing conductor playing all the symphonies of blazing and burning to bring down the tatters and charcoal ruins of history.” Montag believes in what he is doing, so he considers it a “pleasure to burn books.” In other words, he senses that he is accomplishing his patriotic duty by helping the world get rid of these provocative materials that contain knowledge of the universe. He, similar to the majority of the individuals in his dystopian city, displays a narrow-minded perspective of his surroundings, not realizing that he is basically trapped in a prison of ignorance. He is content with his life by burning books- what could possibly change his mood? It is not until Montag meets the ‘crazy’ and free-spirited, Clarisse Mclellan, who compels him to question and observe the tedious and empty life he lives daily. After conversating with Clarisse, the next set of disturbing events Montag encounters convey his early thoughts of questioning his world, realizing how dissatisfied he is with his life. Principally, Montag’s wife, Mildred, attempts to commit suicide by consuming a bottle of sleeping pills. Observing his wife’s ghastly face, seeking to get rid of her life, reflects how vapid his wife and the rest of society is. Notwithstanding, when duty calls and Montag must fulfill his job, he observes the most horrendous occurrence. He and his crew show up at an elderly lady’s household and learn that she is harboring a private stash of books. The firemen burn the books, and out of nowhere, the lady decides that if the books must vanish into existence, then she must do the same. This occasion of observing suicide significantly affects Montag internally as he expresses empathy and compassion, which is exceptionally uncommon in his society. The more Montag witnesses peculiar events, the more he realizes that his society is corrupted. Nevertheless, what indeed troubles and sickens Montag, is when hearing from his apathetic wife, “The same girl. McClellan. McClellan, Run over by a car. Four days ago. I'm not sure. But I think she's dead. The family moved out anyway. I don't know. But I think she's dead." According to his society’s dictates and laws, it is illegal to drive at a gradual pace; so, when realizing that this law cost someone’s life, Montag finally notices the true wretched world he lives in. Not only does Clarisse’s death cause Montag to feel as if he is going downhill in his life, but the fact that Mildred simply forgot to mention it to him, significantly displays the terrible monotonous dystopia they live in. The more these tragic events transpire, the more Montag resembles an open-minded approach to life. He soon discovers that his job as a fireman is one of the key elements that is creating destruction in his community. Montag decides to discontinue attending his job for a while and uses his time with something that is illegal within his society, though will eventually benefit him in the long run- he attempts to read a book. Previously, when burning books at the elderly lady’s home, Montag snatched one of the books - the Bible - to retain its knowledge so that, should it be destroyed, he will retain the knowledge contained therein. He endeavors to comprehend the Bible, perhaps allowing him some type of understanding about what is wrong with his society, but finds it challenging to grasp. Montag, soon recalls somebody in his past whom he met once, that could possibly assist him to learn and gain knowledge from literature. The individual Montag refers to is a retired English professor, Faber. He contacts Faber and even shows up at his address to learn what a book truly signifies and symbolizes. Faber sees that Montag really has changed his perspective on the world and decides that Montag must acknowledge the meaning behind the words of a book. One day out of the blue Faber familiarizes Montag with an impactful lesson, stating, “Books were only one type of receptacle where we stored a lot of things we were afraid we might forget. There is nothing magical in them at all. The magic is only in what books say, how they stitched the patches of the universe together into one garment for us.” Faber is expressing that it is not merely the physical book that creates controversy, but it is the context within the book that initiates controversy. Montag is an individual who, at first, follows society’s laws, and eventually becomes a person who challenges the laws. By the end of the novel, Montag’s transformation from living a life as a law-abiding citizen, who burns books, to becoming an intellectual fugitive, who loves books, clearly displays the change within himself as he realizes that society’s view of the world does not meet his expectations.

Certainly, within the poetical writing of the Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet, Juliet Capulet, who is perceived as a naive, innocent, and obedient adolescent, in the initial point of the tragedy, matures and develops into an independent, hormonal, and bold young woman, when coming into contact with her beloved, Romeo. Due to living a life as a prestigious Capulet in Verona, Juliet receives all the necessities she requires. While living at a high-social status within her society, Juliet must obey and heed orders given by her parents even when it does not meet her ideal standards, particularly being forced into an arranged marriage with Count Paris. In Juliet’s bedroom, both her mother, Lady Capulet, and her nurse, demonstrate to Juliet that she is at a certain point in her life, where marriage and conceiving children are right around the corner. Juliet, who is understood as a genuine dependent rule-follower, agrees with her mother’s terms on marriage, though signifies an internal sense of bewilderment since she feels incompetent beginning a new stage in her life. In the middle of this chatter on marriage, Lady Capulet questions Juliet, asking, “Can you like of Paris, love?” Juliet’s response, only using words that will satisfy her mother, claims, “I’ll look to like if looking liking move. / But no more deep will I endart mine eye / Than your consent gives strength to make it fly.” It can be determined that Juliet will consider liking and marrying Paris, but ultimately will only marry him if her family approves or gives her the strength to make this idea fly. Rather than plotting her own life purposes, Juliet displays an obedient and naive perspective toward life, as she must fulfill whatever her family proposes her to accomplish. Furthermore, it is not till the upcoming Capulet masquerade feast, that Juliet’s true dynamic character development transpires when meeting the love of her life, Romeo Montague. It is Romeo who approaches Juliet at the feast, where both adolescents descend into profound love. Facing each other's presence at the feast becomes an instant blur, as further events take place, involving Romeo Montague. The purpose of reciting Romeo’s full name is to emphasize his surname ‘Montague’. In the city of Verona, it is known by the majority of its civilians that the two affluent households, the Capulets and the Montagues, are involved in a family feud, loathing one another, for as long as it can be recalled. Two star-crossed lovers, desiring to live a life together, though facing the obstruction of their families' vendetta… sounds like forbidden love. The feast ceases and Juliet returns to her bedroom, discovering that Romeo is within her sight. As the pair of lovers express their intimate feelings, there is not a more suitable line that conveys this sentiment than when Juliet asks, “Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet.” Juliet is willing to omit her entire life as a Capulet, so she can be with a man who her family abhors. This depiction of love at first sight results in the character change Juliet will undergo, being aware of the future she endeavors to withhold with Romeo. The once callow and compliant, Juliet, begins to unravel and discover her true self, realizing that she can make her own life decisions. This new adjustment where Juliet appears to behave more independently, compels her to change her perspective on marriage. Since she and Romeo intend to live the rest of their lives together, Juliet requires herself and Romeo to be wedded. Whenever one undergoes love for the first time, it drives them to change abruptly, bypassing who they were as an individual in the past, and concentrating on who they are in the present. Eventually, as the play progresses, the two love birds do indeed get married, though also consummate it. Juliet, who was once guileless, exhibits more independence. Unlocking this new sentiment of love, allows her to upheave a sense of strength and boldness, neglecting any form of response from anyone who opposes her own decisions in life. This strength and boldness observed within Juliet can be surveyed when her mother explains to her that she will have an upcoming arranged marriage with Count Paris. Juliet is already wedded to her beloved Romeo and does not seek in having another life with a man she barely even knows. Juliet, who for long enough obeyed her parents' orders, finally using words that please only herself, states, “I pray you, tell my lord and father, madam- / I will not marry yet. And when I do, I swear / It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate- / Rather than Paris. These are news indeed!” Juliet feels extremely powerful that she defies her parents, but realizes that the power she withholds is limited. Juliet is a woman in a male-dominated world. Undoubtedly, Juliet finds a different approach in going against her father’s wishes, when falsifying her death, so she can live a life outside of Verona with Romeo. She meets Friar Lawrence, who gives her this extraordinary potion, that allows the individual who possesses it to fall into a deep slumber for a day. Hoping for the best, Juliet consumes the potion. Finally, they can live happily ever after- if only that is the case. In time, Romeo hears this false news of Juliet’s death and finds himself feeling dreadfully ill; he decides that he must see her corpse, though also commit suicide. Love can heal a wounded soul, but if that love is demolished, then what else can recover it? Romeo kills himself, and in the next few moments, Juliet awakens. Seeing her true love’s body on the floor knowing that this cannot be the ending to their story, determines that she must kill herself. Love can make people go insane. Love is what opened the door for character change within Juliet, though it also led her to her untimely death. Throughout this tragedy, Juliet encounters a multitude of decisions. She falls head over heels for a Montague, disobeys her family's wishes, and ultimately commits suicide; all this over the course of four days. After experiencing all these sets of events, it is simply impossible for Juliet to remain as innocent and naive as she once was.

Ultimately, despite the science fiction classic, Fahrenheit 451, and the Shakespearean allegory, Romeo and Juliet, displaying a multitude of differences, specifically with their distinct genres and vast centuries gap, in both literary works, Bradbury and Shakespeare implement dynamic characterization within their principal characters, Montag and Juliet. When Guy Montag illegally takes the initiative to comprehend and analyze works of literature, in his dystopian city, he changes immensely from being a person who burns knowledge to an intellectual who maintains and gains knowledge. Nonetheless, Juliet Capulet, who descends into obsessive love with her precious Romeo, does not permit her parents, nor her’s and Romeo’s family vendetta, to obstruct their intimate relationship. In the world of great literature, many central characters encounter various illuminating changes transpiring within themselves as they proceed through life; even when it involves them opposing society’s standards. At the end of the day, dynamic change occurs in the most bizarre circumstances, in the most unexpecting ways.