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The theme of identity is represented in many works of literature by outlining the protagonists' pathway to finding themselves, their individuality, and their place. Both Fahrenheit 451, a dystopian science fiction novel written by Ray Bradbury in the 1950s, and Persepolis, a memoir in graphic novel form published in the early 2000s, discuss this theme. They outline initial struggles with identity, employing minor characters to depict the protagonists' pathways to find themselves and highlight how final scenes shape each character's individuality.

The theme of identity and the associated struggles is portrayed at the beginning of each work, yet the initial representation is shown differently. In Persepolis, the author depicts Marji as having various arguments with school authority figures that force her to think and behave in a certain way. Thus, it juxtaposes the protagonist's views and her struggle to fit in society, outlining Marji's uncertainties regarding identity. Conversely, in the dystopian science fiction novel, Montag is portrayed as a mature man with a clear societal role in the first scene. However, his conversation with Clarrise outlines the protagonist's lack of happiness and knowledge that he seeks later on. Therefore, despite being well-integrated into society, Montag is unaware of his interests and individuality, representing his struggles with identity. Hence, both authors use the exposition to outline the protagonists' issues regarding their identity through the comparison with society. Marji breaks the accepted rules herself, while Ray Bradbury employs Clarrise to illustrate Montag's struggles.

Each work later develops this theme through the protagonists' interactions with side characters. In the novel, the author depicts books as a symbol of knowledge and a pathway to finding one's identity. The theme of knowledge guides Montag to Faber's house, where the teacher is employed to guide the firefighter and find who he truly is. Therefore, the theme of identity in Fahrenheit 451 is tied in with books. The minor character is used to symbolise both knowledge that society is missing and that everyone lacks individuality. Conversely, Marjane employs the family as moral and financial support in Persepolis. Her parents are depicted as caring and supportive in finding her identity since they attempt to help their daughter in any situation. It is portrayed through the contrast between Marji's happiness and her family's gloominess, illustrated by their facial expressions in the chapters before Marji leaves Iran. It thus shows how Satrapi uses the parents' appearance as a utility to fight the protagonist's struggles with identity. Hence, we can say that both authors develop their characters and portray their way of finding themselves through the use of minor characters. Nonetheless, Ray Bradbury outlines the novel's core message of lack of knowledge in future society through Montag's attempts to find his individuality, while identity becomes the central theme of Perspolis.

In addition to the above, both authors use final scenes to show the protagonists' path to finding identities. In Fahrenheit 451, the firefighter symbol, the Phoenix, foreshadows the city's destruction. Since Montag escaped to the forest, where book knowledge is present, the Phoenix also symbolises the end of the protagonist's struggles with identity because his previous society is destroyed. He can build a "New Montag" from the ashes of the previous one. Conversely, Perseplis's last chapter shows Marji's never-ending struggles. Unlike Montag, she finds it challenging to answer that she belongs, which is depicted by the use of the airport. It symbolises her desire to move and find herself since she does not fit in any society. Therefore, each final scene employs a symbol corresponding to the protagonists' stance on their identity. However, each work shapes the final scene to outline different outcomes: Montag is happy since he found his identity and place. At the same time, Marji is depicted as looking for new individuality forever.

To conclude, the authors use the theme of identity to show how the protagonists develop throughout the works. Both Persepolis and Fahrenheit 451 use exposition and society to outline initial struggles with identity, employ minor characters to depict the protagonists' pathways to find themselves and highlight symbolism in final scenes to portray and highlight symbolism in final scenes to portray how Montag and Marji resolved their internal conflicts.