Civil Disobedience In Fahrenheit 451

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Throughout history, civil disobedience has been the key that opens doors to a better society. By rebelling against an unfair government, civil disobedience unlocks the path to an improved future. Sophocles’ Antigone, a greek tragedy, steps back to the past with the tale of the young woman, Antigone, and her rebellion against Kreon, her ruler and uncle. Kreon creates a law not to bury Antigone’s deceased brother, causing Antigone to follow the divine law of the gods and bury him. Kreon then punishes Antigone by sentencing her to death. Antigone shows civil disobedience in our past, but it is also important in our future. Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 travels to a dystopian future with the story of Guy Montag. Montag lives in a society that burns …show more content…
In Sophocles’ play, Antigone is sent away to die as punishment for burying her brother, Polyneices. When Haimon, Antigone’s fiance, discovers her punishment, he rushes to the tomb in attempt to save her. A messenger tells the story of when they reach the tomb, “[Antigone] hanged by the neck / and him / … bewept his bride and her lost love” (Sophocles 1412-20). Haimon is devastated upon seeing Antigone dead. The words, “bewept his bride and her lost love” shows how Haimon realizes the important role of Antigone. He is aware of the loss of the woman, who is the giver of life. Haimon is so devastated by Antigone’s death that he kills himself. The messenger explains the significance of Haimon’s death, “Now the dead lie in the arms of the dead / They have been wedded in the house of Death” (Sophocles 1434-6). Haimon takes his own life in being overwhelmed with the enormity of Antigone’s death. Rather than becoming married and having children together, they kill themselves together. Antigone impacts the future due to the lack of possibility for a new generation. Not only does Antigone’s death hinder her motherly role, it also is a loss to society. After Antigone’s death, Kreon realizes the mistake he made with the words, “I have learned, and am ruined” (Sophocles 70). Kreon becomes aware of the loss he caused and is overwhelmed with regret. Antigone’s death not only affects her lover, Haimon, but also Kreon, the ruler of the town. Because Antigone’s death is able to alter the men around her due to her role as a woman, she manipulates the

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