Literary Analysis: Fahrenheit 451 & Merchant of Venice By Bret Rodriguez

Choices The choices in Fahrenheit 451 and Merchant of Venice both effected the characters and the outcome of the story. The main characters in both books had to choose between what is right or wrong, good or bad, and even right and easy.

Fahrenheit 451Merchant of Venice Montag’s choice to kill Beatty Montag’s choice to keep a book Faber’s choice to show him his listening device Montag’s choice to listen to Clarisse Montag’s choice to stand up and not join all the people like Mildred who take the easy path and have “fun.” Montag’s choice to be apart of the Book People and make a difference The woman on the porch chose to be burned alive with her books Montag must burn his house Shylock chooses to give Antonio the full punishment and not be merciful Bassanio must choose the correct casket in order to marry Portia Shylock’s daughter must choose between her father or Lorenzo Portia has no choice in who must marry her Antonio must choose between giving Bassanio the money to go to (insert place here) or not in order to keep a good friendship between them Antonio choose to join most people and be anti-Semitism against Shylock Antonio deprives Shylock of his money and religion and takes a minor role in relationship of Portia and Bassanio Jessica and Launcelot Gobbo run away from Shylock and join Bassanio and his entourage. No Mercy Social Outcasts Being forced to do something against your will Doing what you believe is right Both

Choices (cont.) Fahrenheit 451 Easy Way Join People like Mildred Challenging Way Be like Faber Difficult Way Join Book People Fahrenheit 451 Easy Way Join People like Mildred Challenging Way Be like Faber Difficult Way Join Book People Merchant of Venice Gold Casket Represents what every man wants. Silver Casket Represents what a man should deserve. Lead Casket Represents the man who choose this must give and risk everything he has. Merchant of Venice Gold Casket Represents what every man wants. Silver Casket Represents what a man should deserve. Lead Casket Represents the man who choose this must give and risk everything he has. Both Another similar choice that was made in both books was to choose between the Gold casket, the easy way where you get what you want quickly with not effort. The Silver Casket, you put some effort in but don’t apply it. And the Lead Casket, where you try very hard to get what you want and sacrifice some things.

Dualities: Fahrenheit 451 Guy Montag - In the beginning of Fahrenheit 451, Guy Montag begins as a “normal” person who does his job without question. But later in the book you learn that he has been keeping books from the places he was burning. You see he had a book- burning, not knowing side to him and he also had an inquisitive side that question, for instance, why someone would die with their books. Faber and Beatty - Faber is the complete opposite of Beatty. While Faber tries to persuade Montag, Beatty tries to manipulate him. Faber is seen as the cowardly guy who is trying to live undetected, where as Beatty is the opinionated man who is living life as if he would die tomorrow.

Dualities: Merchant of Venice Portia In the beginning of Merchant of Venice, Portia seems like a woman who will stand by and not care about who becomes her husband or if Antonio dies, but really she is cunning, witty, and intelligent. For example when she gives clues to Bassanio and finds a loophole in Shylock’s bond in order to save Antonio’s life. Portia In the beginning of Merchant of Venice, Portia seems like a woman who will stand by and not care about who becomes her husband or if Antonio dies, but really she is cunning, witty, and intelligent. For example when she gives clues to Bassanio and finds a loophole in Shylock’s bond in order to save Antonio’s life.

Social Classes Fahrenheit 451Merchant of Venice Fahrenheit 451 and Merchant of Venice both have social classes that divide their society. Merchant of Venice is more about political standing while Fahrenheit 451 is about understanding what is happening. Nobles- Portia, Duke of Venice Merchants-Shylock Servants- Nerissa, Launcelot Gobbo, Old Gobbo, Leonardo Rich/Powerful- Bassanio, Prince of Morocco, Prince of Arragon The knowing Captain Beatty The oblivious/Ignorant Mrs. Bowles, Mildred Montag, Mrs.. Phelps, The Understanding Clarisse McClellan, Professor Faber Applying what they know Guy Montag, Granger Middle Class-Jessica(Shylock’s daughter), Antonio,

Conclusion In summary, Fahrenheit 451 and Merchant of Venice are connected by the kinds of choices the characters make, the dualities in the characters, and the social structure that sets those characters apart from one another.

Questions? Fragen? ~German Questions? ~French Domande? ~Italian ¿Preguntas? ~Spanish ﾎﾊﾌ� ~ Chinese Vragen ~Dutch Вопросы ~Russian 質問 ~Japanese