Modes of Fantasy is a course dedicated to the genre of fantasy. Good fantasy literature has the potential "bring" the reader into an alternate universe, unique in its realities. Throughout the second term, the works studied share a common aspect seen in fantastical novels, such as the epistemological quest. The term epistemological derives from epistemology which is a branch of philosophy that explores the origin, nature and methods and limits of human knowledge. In terms of the journey each individual character embarks on, they experience things that they have not been previously exposed to. This contributes to his or her person development. The novels in which express some forms of an epistemological quest are J.R.R Tolkien's novel "The Hobbit" and Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451." Bilbo Baggins, the main character of "The Hobbit" is a typical hobbit that enjoys food, drink, and security, and who lives in a comfortable and well-furnished hole in the ground. The novel is set in a medieval setting, infused with ancient Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian epics, as well as middle-class rural England. Bilbo Baggins was fashioned after a simple, pastoral Englishman of the 1930's, who is thrown into a medieval quest to retrieve the Kingdom of Dale, the homeland of the Dwarvish Prince Thorin Oakenshield. At the beginning of the novel, Bilbo Baggins is comfortable and complacent. He does not venture out on his own, until he is pushed by Gandalf the Grey Wizard. Through this adventure, he undergoes a transformation from a cautious homebody, to a confident and brave hero. As the quest unfolds, Bilbo shows that he has a vast reserve of inner cunning and strength and slowly becomes a driving force holding the group of unfortunate dwarves. In "Fahrenheit 451," the main character is Guy Montag, who is a fireman; however not the kind of fireman that fights fires; Guy and his fellow "firemen" start fires to destroy books. The novel is set in a futuristic American city. The society around Montag does not read books, enjoy nature, think independently, spend time by themselves and or take part in meaningful conversations with others. As the reader is first introduced to Guy Montag, they learn that he is naïve, impulsive, irrational and cannot adequately articulate himself. He is easily swayed by his Fire Chef Captain Beatty, and Professor Faber. Montag goes on a quest to avenge the books that have been destroyed, and a civilization of intellectuals that have become a band of renegades. During this mission, his character develops from naïve and easily swayed man, he sees the value in the books that he has been burning, and seeks to start a war against how the status quo of society. Both protagonists are anti-heroes, they are the alternate hero. They develop over the course of their respective quests, both internally and externally. The things that they experience and uncover lend themselves to the bigger picture in each of the fantastical worlds of the novels. In J.R.R Tolkien's The Hobbit and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, the main characters embark on epistemological quests that allow for introspection, and self-awareness. Each respective protagonist ventures out against the status quo; both Bilbo Baggins and Guy Montag go against the norm of their societies to gain insight about themselves and the world around them. In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins is a comfortable homebody that is thrown into a quest with dwarves. Initially he is strongly encouraged, if not forced by Gandalf the Grey, who is a wizard into this adventure. Gandalf serves as a mentor for Baggins, he is a wise and can be very secretive about the things he does. However, his support for Baggins is constant; "I have chosen Mr. Baggins and that ought to be enough for all of you. If I say he is a Burglar, a Burglar he is, or will