Janis 1

Timothy Janis II
Mrs. Baker
Literary Analysis 11
12-5-13
Taking a Stand
Most people are given two choices in life: do they want to fit in with the crowd or do they
want to take the road less traveled and be different? Most people will take the easy, conforming
route. They dont want to rebel in fear of being an outcast or getting in trouble. Difference is the
only similarity in these two stories. The main characters from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
and the movie Dead Poets Society are taught to be different from conformity, think for
themselves, and stand up for what they think is right.
Most people need a spark or an idea in order to rebel, something that motivates them
towards a cause. This is how changes are made, and it is a natural cycle of life. In Fahrenheit
451 Clarisse sparked an idea in Montags mind and along with Faber, the ideas blossomed. In
Dead Poets Society, Mr. Keating, the teacher, gave the kids the idea to think for themselves and
blossom their minds. These were different ideas from different people. Montag from Fahrenheit
451 and the boys from Dead Poets Society picked up on these ideas and ran with them. They
didnt do it because they had to, they did it because they wanted to make a difference.
Montag and Neil are the main characters in both of the stories. Both Montag and Neil
experience large changes throughout the story. Montag lives a boring, conforming life before he
meets and listens to Clarisse and her ideas. Those ideas sparked him to explore deeper and think
for himself and not just for conformity. Neil, inspired by Mr. Keating, took up his true passion,
acting. Neil was a great student who had everything going for him, but he was always troubled

Janis 2

by his father and his lack of happiness. Neil was encouraged to look at things differently than
usual by Mr. Keating. Neil and Montag both changed tremendously, almost going from black to
white.
Mr. Keating and Montag both earn respect from their peers for going out of their way to
be different. When Mr. Keating is exiting his classroom for the final time after being fired, he is
given a mighty surprise. Todd Anderson, the shyest kid in his class, stands up on his desk and
salutes O captain, my captain. Montag is welcomed and thanked by the other outcasts for his
work towards saving the books. They had already followed his progress on the television as the
cops chased him and figured he would be arriving soon. Although it may be bad to some people,
there are always going to be other people out there who support and respect the efforts to be
different. That is why you should always stand up for what you think is right.
Just like everything else in life, there is always going to be consequences for actions that
are taken. Montag quickly dug himself into a hole he could not get out of. To find freedom, he
had to kill a man and outrun the cops in a high-speed chase. Mr. Keating was different from all
the teachers, and it just so happened that he inspired a student who later committed suicide. In
his case, someone had to take the blame for the death, and it fell on Mr. Keating, although he
didnt deserve it. He was later fired for his actions. Be prepared to deal with the consequences
that come with the actions.