The Matrix and Fahrenheit 451 Comparison
1. The characters of Neo and Montag break away from the common society, come to terms with themselves, and strive to create an ideal world.
2. Breaking from normal society through one’s own will
a. Neo is rescued from the Matrix by Morpheus
i. It was Neo’s own decision to take the red pill. ii. Demonstrates desire to know the truth about world.
b. Montag admits he is unhappy in life and turns to books for knowledge.
i. It was Montag’s own curiosity and internal dissatisfaction with his current state. ii. He is thus able to turn against society to support his own ideals.
c. Having decided upon themselves to defect from the world of the common man, Neo and Montag enter a struggle to find their inner selves.
3. Finding the true meaning of their existences.
a. Given the expectations of being “the one”, Neo struggles to discover his real purpose.
i. The Oracle tells Neo the aphorism “Know thyself”, informing Neo that he cannot become “the one” without accepting the fact that he is “the one”. ii. When Morpheus is captured by the agents, Neo decides to rescue him, simply because he believes he can. iii. This demonstrates Neo’s acceptance that he is the “the one” and his firm will in discovering what he was meant for, further demonstrated when he is temporarily able to match the speed of the agents. iv. These incredible feats, including the overcoming of death, clearly show Neo’s compliance with his destiny, resulting in his ability to see and manipulate codes within the Matrix.
b. Similarly, Montag overcomes his confusion of identity through the steadfast faith in his beliefs.
i. In the beginning of the story, Montag is easily influenced by people close to him, causing an internal conflict between the desire to be normal and the desire to be true to himself. ii. With the help of Faber, Montag realizes the injustice of authority controlling society and takes it upon himself to defeat them, as seen with his plan of storing books inside the houses of
2. Breaking from normal society through one’s own will
a. Neo is rescued from the Matrix by Morpheus
i. It was Neo’s own decision to take the red pill. ii. Demonstrates desire to know the truth about world.
b. Montag admits he is unhappy in life and turns to books for knowledge.
i. It was Montag’s own curiosity and internal dissatisfaction with his current state. ii. He is thus able to turn against society to support his own ideals.
c. Having decided upon themselves to defect from the world of the common man, Neo and Montag enter a struggle to find their inner selves.
3. Finding the true meaning of their existences.
a. Given the expectations of being “the one”, Neo struggles to discover his real purpose.
i. The Oracle tells Neo the aphorism “Know thyself”, informing Neo that he cannot become “the one” without accepting the fact that he is “the one”. ii. When Morpheus is captured by the agents, Neo decides to rescue him, simply because he believes he can. iii. This demonstrates Neo’s acceptance that he is the “the one” and his firm will in discovering what he was meant for, further demonstrated when he is temporarily able to match the speed of the agents. iv. These incredible feats, including the overcoming of death, clearly show Neo’s compliance with his destiny, resulting in his ability to see and manipulate codes within the Matrix.
b. Similarly, Montag overcomes his confusion of identity through the steadfast faith in his beliefs.
i. In the beginning of the story, Montag is easily influenced by people close to him, causing an internal conflict between the desire to be normal and the desire to be true to himself. ii. With the help of Faber, Montag realizes the injustice of authority controlling society and takes it upon himself to defeat them, as seen with his plan of storing books inside the houses of