fahrenheit 451 thesis statement censorship

Fahrenheit 451

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Books are banned in the society depicted in Fahrenheit 451 . When they're found, they're burned, along with the homes of the books' owners. But it's important to remember that in the world of this novel, the suppression of books began as self-censorship . As Beatty explains to Montag , people didn't stop reading books because a tyrannical government forced them to stop. They stopped reading books gradually over time as the culture around them grew faster, shallower, intellectually blander, and centered around minor thrills and instant gratification. In such a culture, books became shorter, magazine and newspaper articles became simpler, cartoon pictures and television became more prevalent, and entertainment replaced reflection and debate.

Another factor that contributes to the growth of censorship in Fahrenheit 451 are minorities and what we might call "special interest groups." In order not to offend every imaginable group and sub-group—whether organized around ethnicity, religion, profession, geography, or affinity—every trace of controversy slowly vanished from public discourse, and magazines became "a nice blend of vanilla tapioca." In time, the word "intellectual" became a swear word, and books came to be seen as a dangerous means for one person to lord his or her knowledge and learning over someone else. Books, and the critical thinking they encouraged, became seen as a direct threat to equality. By making widespread censorship a phenomenon that emerges from the culture itself—and not one that is simply imposed from above by the government—Bradbury is expressing a concern that the power of mass media can ultimately suppress free speech as thoroughly as any totalitarian regime.

Censorship ThemeTracker

Censorship Quotes in Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451

Introduction to fahrenheit 451.

Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel , written by an American author, Ray Bradbury . It was published in the United States in 1953 and instantly became a textbook across the globe. Interestingly this novel declared to be a textbook presents the American future society where books have been banned and firemen have been deputed to ensure their burning. The novel presents the story of Guy Montag, a fireman, who becomes disenchanted by his work of burning books and censoring them before starting his task. Eventually, he gives up this job, thinking preservation of knowledge a moral option for him. The storyline of the novel won various awards for its uniqueness, bringing recognition to the author and awards such as the American Academy Award and Prometheus Hall of Fame Award with several others. The novel also became a film adaptation under the same name in 1966 and 2018.

Summary of Fahrenheit 451

The story opens with Guy Montag engaged in his work of burning books. Society now does not need books as people have stopped reading them because the Government has banned the books to control the public opinions and the offense they were creating among the people for the content written by the writers. They rather enjoy nature and spend time in enjoyments and conversation. They also take time for long drives in high speed and watch televisions or listen to Seashell radio sets attached to them. Also, the state was under the threat of atomic bombings and war.

During his work of burning books, Montag comes across a young girl, his neighbor Clarisse McClellan. She has a very powerful impact on him due to her innocent questions and love for nature. She shows him the other side of life and love. In the next few days, he goes through several disturbing experiences in that his wife tries to take her life by taking pills but fortunately paramedics save her by using the modern technology who arrive at the scene, showing no empathy because that was their everyday job, and then he finds another old woman having a literary treasure hidden in her building and still another wanting to burn with her with the books when he reaches to eliminate them. However, before burning the books he steals a book from the old woman’s library. When he contacts Clarisse, he comes to know about her accident in which she had died. It further dissatisfies him with his work as well as life and he starts thinking about the solution of books he has stolen and hidden in the vent to read them in leisure.

Montag refuses to go to work the next day. Soon Montag starts to play truant and his captain, Beatty, sensing something fishy, reaches him. He advises him about his thoughts regarding books and tells him that it is normal to think out of routine but his monologue rather further disturbs Montag’s confused mind. His argument that the first ban was slapped after some groups objected to some books does not go down well with Montag. It also does not seem appropriate to him when Beatty said that an overall ban was imposed on books after some time. Finally, society started banning books and the final order came in the shape of the burning of all of the books having conflicting arguments in them. He also permits Montag to keep books for a day and then return after having a glance at their pages and Montag takes a night to see what those books have in them. Overwhelmed by reading, he sees that his wife is engaged in watching television and thinks about a retired English professor, Faber, and decides to meet him to help him understand the reading. Faber, then, briefs him about the value of books and the enjoyment that provide during leisure. With his help, Montag starts thinking about changing the status quo and making a plan to proliferate such books to the firemen in its first phase. They also have a radio set for two-way communication to hide their plan.

When Montag reaches the professor, he sees friends of his wife watching television and having a chitchat about families and war. He becomes furious over their casual manner and starts reading Matthew Arnold’s Dover Beach even though when Faber calls him not to do so. Meanwhile, Mildred tells him that the firemen read poetry to discredit books, while women flee seeing his interest in books. Thinking about books, he reaches office and hands over books to his chief, Beatty, who bombards him with contradictory ideas from literature to discredit books. Suddenly, they find the alarm bells calling them to Montag’s house at which he feels the treachery of his wife about informing the office regarding the presence of books. After Montag completes this task of burning his own house, Beatty still does not stop berating him, incensing him to the point that he turns the flamethrower at him. Meanwhile, the Mechanical Hound injects an anesthetic on his leg, yet Montag destroys it with the flamethrower and manages to flee with some of his books. A fireman’s ranch becomes his hideout from where he calls his friend Faber.

When finally, they meet, Faber informs him about the hunting expedition launched to track him down. As Faber is going to St. Louis in search of a printer, Montag requests him to eliminate his smell from the house to mislead the sniffers. Meanwhile, he learns from the news that another man has been killed in his name by the hound just to create fear in the hearts of the people to let them know how drastic measures the State would take if anyone went against it. Taking Faber’s clothes, he leaves the ranch toward the river from where he goes downstream and finds a group led by Granger. The book lovers welcome his addition to the group as a memorizer of books in the event of the war just going to be declared. He was assigned to memorize the book of Ecclesiastes. They soon find jets zooming on their heads and themselves finding more friends to lay the foundation of a new civilization with the help of memorized books. The story ends with the reference to the poem by William Blake’s ‘ The Tyger : Tyger Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night…Could frame thy fearful symmetry?’ explaining the evolution of Montag’s fire as a symbol of both creation and destruction.

Major Themes in Fahrenheit 451

• Censorship: Censorship is the major theme of the novel with the impending issue of knowledge gained by people and the role of books in the transformation of an individual as well as a society. Guy Montag’s role of burning the books through a complete setup exposes the role of the books. The burning of the house of the Old Woman for keeping books shows that the new government does not tolerate books that play a disruptive role in society. This ruthless censorship goes on until Montag meets Clarisse who changes his outlook toward books. Finally, when Millie and her friends show their gratification through television programs and absurd conversations, it becomes urgent that censorship be eliminated. However, the meeting of Faber with Montag and their final plan with Granger’s group shows hope that books may bring change in the future civilization.
• Ignorance and Knowledge: The novel shows the significance of knowledge through the character of Guy Montag and Clarisse. Although Montag is engaged in the work of destroying knowledge. It is clear that destroying books is like destroying knowledge, it also shows that once he becomes confused through Clarisse about his task, he immediately withdraws himself until his boss, Beatty, becomes suspicious and tries to place him under house arrest. In the anti-book, Montag soon runs for his life after his wife seems to have betrayed him. When he finally escapes with the assistance of Faber, he is fighting to save knowledge until he meets Granger whose memorizing task for him is an act, they think, can save the civilization from extinction or that they can rebuild it from scratch.
• Life and Death: Fahrenheit 451 shows the theme of life and death through Mildred, Guy’s wife. She tries to take her own life by committing suicide which makes Montag think deeply about these metaphysical issues due to the impacts of Clarisse. He soon realizes that though Beatty is his supervisor, most of the work is being done by the mechanical machines that can kill or spare anybody without any conscience. When a Mechanical Hound chases him, he runs for his life despite having been injected with anesthesia. It shows that when machines take the life of their own, human beings need to be watchful about their lives as it happens that the same machines run by Guy Montag are after him and he is trying to escape from them. Several other deaths in the novel such as of Clarisse and the Old Woman show that life is in constant transformation as the final world war soon takes the life of its own and ends a few of them to rebuild the world.
• Role of Technology: The novel shows that technology, once breaks the grip of human control, can become catastrophic in that it could end civilization. Although starting from simple dissidence, it soon transpires in the new government that the poison is being spread by books and the elimination of books is possible only through technology. Then Mechanical Hounds are set upon human beings. Guy Montag runs for his life and uses the same technology to stage a coup, though, without any success. His final meeting with Granger and his gang shows that when technology has brought catastrophe , it is the human mind that can save the world through memorization.
• Alienation: The novel shows that when machines take lead, human beings become alienated like Mildred Montag who feels that her life is not only useless but also purposeless. So, she tries to end it by taking pills. Montag also suffers from depression because of the work of burning books that he thinks are taking a toll on his household as the women are only discussing this and nothing in particular. This alienation annoys him more when the Old Woman dies while her house is burning. Soon he finds himself on the run after Mildred betrays him, completing the alienation of human beings.
• Dehumanization: The dehumanization has been shown in the novel through the character of Beatty, Mildred, and other ladies that sit with her to discuss different things. Montag is dehumanized in the beginning but stays skeptical until Clarisse meets him and raises suspicions on his work. It happens that when he sees the Old Woman dying with her books in her own house; Guy’s wife betraying him as he runs for his life after trying to kill Beatty. It appears that Professor Faber has tried to humanize him through books, and it has worked. That is why he finally comes to the point that civilization could be saved through books.
• Power of Books: The power that the books wield is clear from the way Guy Montag shows the transformation in his thinking and subsequent actions after he meets Clarisse. He knows inwardly that the action of keeping books to be declared a crime is not small thinking. His duty of burning the books means that he is depriving others of knowledge. So, it is not just the power of books, but the power of knowledge that he keeping away from others. That is why he joins hands with Professor Faber to save the last remnants of knowledge by memorizing some of them left with the gang.
• Role of Media: The novel shows that media plays a critical role in shaping public thinking. When Guy Montag reaches home, he sees that Millie and all her friends are enjoying life, watching programs and advertisements on their televisions. The access of radio broadcast directed into the ears of the listeners also point to this role of media about feeding the public and showing them what the government wants. This means media is used to make the people think what the elite class at the helm of the affairs wants them to see and think.
• Loss of Individuality: The theme of the loss of one’s identity and individuality is significant in the novel in that Montag feels that he has become a machine while working with machines and that the characters like ‘Character’ are blessed with independent thinking while they are not. On the other hand, his wife, Mildred, and her friends show that they have lost their individuality.
• Passivity: The novel also shows the theme of passivity through Montag, Millie, and her friends. Montag acts quickly to get rid of the role he is playing under this government. However, it seems that all other people are satisfied with their fortune and lack of knowledge.

Major Characters Fahrenheit 451

• Guy Montag: Guy Montag is the protagonist of the novel. He is engaged in burning books, which are considered subversive in the state. As the firefighter, his role involves burning books and not considering emotions as he shows when burning the house of the Old Woman. Despite his initial satisfaction with his duties, he soon comes to a realization about the harmful impacts on society as a whole when he meets Clarisse McClellan. His mental conflict caused by this girl soon leads him to be skeptical of his role, leading him to conspire with Professor Faber and save books. Finally, he has a chance to flee and join a group when the war erupts and starts memorizing books to save civilization from eternal elimination.
• Mildred Montag: Mildred or Millie is Guy Montag’s wife. She plays an important role in showing the world how a regime ignores its own house. The ignorance shown by her and her friends when watching television shows that the main task of Guy Montag is to keep people oblivious to their real situation, though, it turns the table on him when he comes to know about his wife’s aborted suicide. Then his conversation transpires that the regime has become too heavy for such frail souls, as she leads a passive and receptive life, engaged only in sightseeing or getting bored.
• Captain Beatty: As the instrument of the regime, his duty is to captain the firefighters and ensure that they do not rebel against the state. Despite his education and knowledge, he stays loyal and becomes the victim of his loyalty when Montag turns against him. However, his obsession that knowledge causes people to be skeptical stays the same despite this accidental incident. His life takes a turn for the worse as he becomes too dangerous for Guy Montag as he struggles to make Guy accept his orders or send mechanical hounds after him.
• Clarisse McClellan: Clarisse, a young girl, brings a sea change in the behavior of Guy Montag, causing suspicion in his mind about his duty assigned to him by the regime. She bumps into him when going on his duty and impacts his thinking about the collective social oppression through his work of burning books. Her character shows a questioning mind, though, she is ignorant of the real impact of Guy Montag’s work. Her character shows unique individuals who quiz mob following and refuse to go along with the tide.
• Professor Faber: Professor Faber represents knowledge through his support of saving the books. His love for books leads him to form a resistance movement and its success lies in attracting the important state pillar, Guy Montag, who joins him after killing Beatty. Due to his independent thinking and his passion for the increase of knowledge, he soon hooks away Montag and joins a group led by Granger to save the knowledge from extinction.
• Granger: Granger is involved in saving books, a crime considered dangerous for society at this stage. When the Hound chases Montag, he runs away to the drifters where he is assigned a new job by Granger to memorize the books. Granger represents the people who know that the construction of society depends on the rise and continuance of knowledge.
• Old Woman: The Old Woman represents the old generation who loves books and also represents the state oppression against such people who want the continuation of civilization through knowledge and books. Guy Montag burns her house and the lady with it after coming to know that she keeps books, though, he himself steals the Bible when fleeing from the chasing Hound.
• Black and Stoneman: These characters serve as a model of the workers who work sans thinking. They are companions of Montag who flee when Montag threatens them after burning Beatty to death.
• Mrs. Bowels: As Millie’s friend, Mrs. Bowles represents people who only enjoy and leave other things to take care of themselves despite having been widowed twice. She is visiting Millie just to pass her time.
• Mrs. Phelps : Though a minor character in the novel, Mrs. Phelps is engaged in killing her time after losing her third husband. She, however, shows emotional outpouring after listening to poetry from Guy Montag.

Writing Style of Fahrenheit 451

The writing style of Fahrenheit 451 is descriptive, though, it becomes lyrical at some places in the novel. The first few chapters describe the characters of Guy Montag and Clarisse McClellan, including the outlines of their physical features. That is why highly figurative language has been used to make their features prominent. However, when it comes to conversation, the author employs the same technique of presenting the middle-class characters, speaking the chaste language. Overall sentence style and phrases are quite simple and direct, showing the futuristic outlook in simple diction .

Analysis of the Literary Devices in Fahrenheit 451

• Action: The main action of the novel comprises the life of Guy Montag, his responsibilities, his sense of betrayal, and his final efforts to preserve knowledge. The falling action occurs when he kills Beatty for suspecting him, while the rising action occurs when Beatty tries to arrest him but faces the flamethrower and dies.
• Anaphora : The novel shows examples of anaphora such as, i. “No, I don’t want to, this time. I want to hold on to this funny thing. God, it’s gotten big on me. I don’t know what it is. I’m so damned unhappy, I’m so mad, and I don’t know why I feel like I’m putting on weight. I feel fat. I feel like I’ve been saving up a lot of things, and don’t know what. I might even start reading books.” (Part-I) ii. The beetle was rushing. The beetle was roaring. The beetle raised its speed. The beetle was whining. The beetle was in high thunder. The beetle came skimming . The beetle came in a single whistling trajectory, fired from an invisible rifle. (Part-III) iii. It was up to 120 m.p.h. It was up to 130 at least. (Part-III) The examples show the repetitious use of “I don’t want”, “The beetle” and “It was up to.”
• Allusion : The novel shows good use of different allusions as given in the examples below, i. None of those books agree with each other. You’ve been locked up here for years with a regular damned Tower of Babel. Snap out of it! The people in those books never lived. Come on now! (Part-I) ii. The parlour was exploding with sound. “We burned copies of Dante and Swift and Marcus Aurelius.” (Part-I) iii. “Professor Faber, I have a rather odd question to ask . How many copies of the Bible are left in this country?” (Part-II) The first example shows a reference to a historical place, the second to authors, and the third to the Bible.
• Antagonist : Captain Beatty and the regime are the antagonists of the novel as they appear to have tried their best to obstruct all avenues for Guy Montag and Professor Faber to preserve books.
• Conflict : The novel shows both external and internal conflicts. The external conflict is going on between Guy Montag and Beatty as well the regime, while the internal conflict is going on in the mind of Guy Montag about his responsibility and his thinking about the books.
• Characters: The novel shows both static as well as dynamic characters . The young girl, Clarisse and Guy Montag are dynamic characters as they show a considerable transformation in their behavior and conduct by the end of the novel. However, all other characters are static as they do not show or witness any transformation such as Millie, Beatty, Mrs. Phelps, and Faber.
• Climax : The climax in the novel occurs when Beatty tries to burn down the house of Montag. However, he turns the flamethrower on him, turning him into ashes.
• Foreshadowing : The novel shows many instances of foreshadows as given in the below examples, i. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed. With the brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python spitting its venomous kerosene upon the world, the blood pounded in his head, and his hands were the hands of some amazing conductor playing all the symphonies of blazing and burning to bring down the tatters and charcoal ruins of history. (Part-1) ii. I wasn’t shouting.” He was up in bed, suddenly, enraged and flushed, shaking. The parlour roared in the hot air. “I can’t call him. I can’t tell him I’m sick. (Part-I) The mention of ruin, shouting, and hot air shows that something is bad going to happen with Montag.
• Hyperbole : The novel shows various examples of hyperboles such as, i. “Classics cut to fit fifteen-minute radio shows, then cut again to fill a two-minute book column, winding up at last as a ten- or twelve-line dictionary resume. I exaggerate, of course. The dictionaries were for reference. (Part-I) ii. Montag stood there and waited for the next thing to happen. His hands, by themselves, like two men working together, began to rip the pages from the book. The hands tore the flyleaf and then the first and then the second page. (Part-II) These examples exaggerate things as classics could not be fitted into such short shows and that hands could not have done everything automatically.
• Imagery : Fahrenheit 451 shows excellent use of imagery . A few examples are given below, i. Her face, turned to him now, was fragile milk crystal with a soft and constant light in it. It was not the hysterical light of electricity but-what? But the strangely comfortable and rare and gently flattering light of the candle. (Part-I) ii. Montag stood looking in now at this queer house, made strange by the hour of the night, by murmuring neighbour voices , by littered glass, and there on the floor, their covers torn off and spilled out like swan-feathers, the incredible books that looked so silly and really not worth bothering with, for these were nothing but black type and yellowed paper, and ravelled binding. (Part-III) These two examples show images of color, sound, and feelings.
• Metaphor : A few examples of various metaphors from the novel are given below, i. Her face was slender and milk-white, and in it was a kind of gentle hunger that touched over everything with tireless curiosity. (Part-I) ii. With the brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python spitting its venomous kerosene upon the world, the blood pounded in his head, and his hands were the hands of some amazing conductor playing all the symphonies of blazing and burning to bring down the tatters and charcoal ruins of history. (Part-II) iii. “It’s flat,” he said, a long time later. “City looks like a heap of baking-powder. It’s gone.” (Part-III) These examples show that several things have been compared directly in the novel such as the first shows her face compared to milk, the second shows the person compared to a robot, and the third shows a city compared to powder.
• Mood : The novel shows various moods; it starts with an intense and gloomy mood but turns somber and serious when the apocalypse seems to engulf the world and becomes optimistic when Guy Montag flees for the preservation of knowledge.
• Motif : Most important motifs of the novel are religion, nature, and paradoxes in life.
• Narrator : The novel is narrated from the third person point of you, who happens to Ray Bradbury, the author himself.
• Personification : The novel shows examples of personifications such as, i. He felt his smile slide away, melt, fold over, and down on itself like a tallow skin, like the stuff of a fantastic candle burning too long and now collapsing and now blown out. (Part-I) ii. Two moonstones looked up at him in the light of his small hand-held fire; two pale moonstones buried in a creek of clear water over which the life of the world ran, not touching them. (Part-I) iii. Across the street and down the way the other houses stood with their flat fronts. (Part-II). These examples show as if his smile, moonstones, and houses have life and emotions of their own.
• Protagonist : Guy Montag is the protagonist of the novel. The novel starts with his entry into the world and moves forward as he rebels against the regime and flees to save his life as well as knowledge.
• Rhetorical Questions : The novel shows good use of rhetorical questions at several places such as, i. It drank up the green matter that flowed to the top in a slow boil. Did it drink of the darkness ? Did it suck out all the poisons accumulated with the years? It fed in silence with an occasional sound of inner suffocation and blind searching. It had an Eye. The impersonal operator of the machine could, by wearing a special optical helmet, gaze into the soul of the person whom he was pumping out. What did the Eye see? He did not say. (Part-I) ii. Breach man’s mind. Who knows who might be the target of the well? Read man? Me? I won’t stomach them for a minute. And so when houses were finally fireproofed completely, all over the world (you were correct in your assumption the other night) there was no longer need of firemen for the old purposes. (Part-II) This example shows the use of rhetorical questions posed but different characters not to elicit answers but to stress upon the underlined idea.
• Setting : The setting of the novel is somewhere in an unspecified city in the Midwest in the United States.
• Simile : The novel shows excellent use of various similes as given in the examples below, i. There was only the girl walking with him now, her face bright as snow in the moonlight, and he knew she was working his questions around, seeking the best answers she could possibly give. (Part-I) ii. She was beginning to shriek now, sitting there like a wax doll melting in its own heat. (Part-II) iii. The three empty walls of the room were like the pale brows of sleeping giants now, empty of dreams . (Part-III) These similes show that girl’s face has been compared to snow in the first, like a wax doll in the second and the walls have been compared to pale brows in the third as the use of the word “like” suggests.

Related posts:

• Fahrenheit 451 Quotes
• Fahrenheit 451 Characters
• Fahrenheit 451 Themes
• Ray Bradbury
• Literary Writing Style of Ray Bradbury

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Censorship on Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Essay

Introduction, significance of censorship, characters of the novel fahrenheit 451, voices of dissent, works cited.

In this essay, I would evaluate the topic of censorship when seen through the background of an independent novel. The book of my choice is Fahrenheit 451 which is a mix of fantasy and fiction written by Ray Bradbury. The subject deals with a dystopian American social order of the future which is erratically consumed by profligacy and self-indulgence. As a result, the ruling elite considers the dissemination of intelligent ideas as a burden for a society that prompts it to wage a formal war against all works of literature including the Bible (Dennis, p. 12).

In order to suppress intellectual thoughts, the ruling elite has enlisted the support of firemen whose job is to seize books that have been deemed illegal, and burn them down (Bradbury, p. 6). Since most people belonging to this era have little understanding or respect for the importance of books, they do not question the decisions of the ruling elite. Censorship, thus, becomes the norm of the times (the period in this 1951 novel has been set somewhere in the 1990s).

In this novel, I would take a closer look into how the instrument of censorship as documented in the novel, becomes a catalyst for wielding unlimited government control. Ironically, the novel was written in a period when the United States and its allied Western governments had upped the ante against Communism while clambering up a wall of accusations that tried to expose Soviet-style governments as states that sponsor censorship, and suppress the rights of citizens. Clearly, the intention of Bradbury was to throw subtle hints on why Western governments weren’t doing any better. As the novel unfolds, the reader is introduced to subtle hints used by the author suggesting the sweeping unrest that had become the norm among the masses in Western-ruled countries after World War II (which was the most effective period of censorship in those times).

The main protagonist of the novel is Guy Montag, a fireman whose job like others, is to burn books without questioning the impact of his decision. In fact, the man who is portrayed as an average nice person, even takes hidden pleasure in his acts, “There is a thing about burning. It is so fine…complete…so beautiful” (Bradbury, p. 5). The intention here is to show the level of brainwashing that a ruling government can impose on ordinary citizens by effectively wielding the tool of censorship.

Basically, what unfolds here is that an average person is no longer concerned about the long-term impact of a government-sponsored decision, and thus, has given up his questioning bent of mind (Collins, p. 23). So, effectively, Guy Montag acts as a tool for the ruling elite and has blindly assumed that their decisions could not be incorrect. This, as Bradbury tries to document in the novel, is a very dangerous trend because once government censorship is normalized, it’s a long road downhill from there.

The character of Montag has been used to build up the storyline to its conclusion and is a reflection of what an average, well-informed citizen should not be (Collins, 34). Other characters in the novel including firemen such as Black and Holden are also in the same boat as Montag; uninformed and ignorant about the unfair powers of the government. Indeed, if the government is shown as a central agency capable of wielding unlimited terror, the average characters are shown as blind sheep that do little to question their decisions and are swept away by a culture of thralldom that can do no harm to the position and authority of the rulers (Collins, p. 8). This, as Bradbury indicates suggestively, could be the collective future of all Western societies if the power of ruling authorities is not kept in control through an effective system of checks and balances (Dennis, p. 12).

Captain Beatty, Montag’s boss and the fire chief is shown as a direct agent of the ruling authorities because of his immense hatred for books for some personal reasons (Bradbury, p. 12). His answers to the predicament of whether or not the knowledge contained in books is useful are expressed in strong words, “Once you accumulate knowledge, it’s very much like owning twelve beds. You can only sleep in one at a time. The rest are superfluous. There’s only one truth worth knowing (lights his cigarette lighter). Fire. And, smoke and ashes. Answers to everything. Problems solved, worry eliminated. Right Montag, right?” (Bradbury, p. 8).

Another agent of the censorship terror is the Mechanical Hound, an octopus-like grotesque agent which aims to spot non-conformists and kill them (Dennis, p. 44). It is safe to conclude that the Mechanical Hound has been devised to showcase similar mechanisms available with present-day governments to suppress opposition and wield unlimited power (Dennis, p. 45). The most effective tools used in this regard are the print and electronic media which often toe the official line of the ruling elite and lack the inspiration or know-how to lend a voice to justice.

Like the Mechanical Hound, the print media of today can also descend into an instrument that obfuscates knowledge and suppresses ideas. The use of a “mechanical” neologism by Bradbury was to indicate the robotic nature of government agents which act as per the pay of the ruling elite and are the biggest problem in the current scenario since, they are used to keep the common masses in a perpetual state of confusion, with little respite or breather (Dennis, p. 45).

However, despite portraying a pessimistic picture of how a future America might unfold, Bradbury also makes a point to depict a few minor characters who go against the grain and keep their intellectual flame alive. The most important characters in this regard are Clarisse McKellan and Faber, an intellectual professor who understands the machinations of the ruling elite but is scared to speak the truth (Bradbury, p. 43). Even the main protagonist Guy Montag, who is shown as a loyal agent of the government with little respect for knowledge, is shown to memorize lines from the books which he is about to burn (Collins, p. 139).

In conclusion, the idea behind this novel is to show that despite tough measures imposed by censorship regimes, the voice of dissent cannot be fully suppressed. Somehow, through one means or the other, it is possible for opposing forces to unite against the tyranny of censorship. The fact that these lone voices of dissent exist in these countries says a lot about the situation in some present-day countries where the rights of women, minorities and other citizens are suppressed but there are enough voices that want to discontinue this trend (Collins, p. 140). Indeed, no amount of censorship can trifle with one strand of dissent which tends to reverse the trend as has been documented in the novel where the whole dystopian society is eventually destroyed in a nuclear war, to pave way for a better world.

• Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451 . Woodstock, IL: The Dramatic Publishing Company, 1996. Print.
• Dennis, Mary L. Fahrenheit 451 . New York, NY: Novel Units, 1999. Print.
• Collins, Mary B. Fahrenheit 451: A Unit Plan . New York, NY: Teachers Pet Publications Inc., 2000. Print.
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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1. IvyPanda . "Censorship on Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury." December 27, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/censorship-on-fahrenheit-451-by-ray-bradbury/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Censorship on Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury." December 27, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/censorship-on-fahrenheit-451-by-ray-bradbury/.

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Story Arcadia

Fahrenheit 451 Themes: Censorship, Knowledge, and Society’s Future

In the chilling corridors of a future dictated by censorship and superficiality, Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” stands as a towering classic of dystopian literature. This novel, more than just a story, serves as a canvas for exploring profound themes that resonate with the human condition. Delving into such themes not only enriches our understanding of the narrative but also offers insights into our own society.

At the heart of “Fahrenheit 451” is the pervasive theme of censorship, depicted through the systematic destruction of books—a metaphor for the broader suppression of dissenting ideas. The novel paints a grim picture of how knowledge is manipulated to maintain societal control. This theme echoes historical and contemporary issues where censorship has been used as a tool by those in power.

Another significant theme is the dichotomy between knowledge and ignorance, with technology playing a pivotal role in fostering a culture of distraction and complacency. Bradbury also explores individualism versus conformity through his characters’ tumultuous journeys, challenging readers to reflect on their own beliefs and actions.

As we unravel these interwoven themes, we find that Bradbury’s vision remains alarmingly relevant today. His cautionary tale prompts us to consider the trajectory of our society and underscores the importance of vigilance in preserving our future. Censorship: The Core of “Fahrenheit 451”

In Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451,” censorship is not just a background theme; it’s the heart of the story’s conflict. The novel portrays a future where books are banned and “firemen” burn any that are found. This extreme form of censorship serves as a tool for societal control, keeping citizens detached from past knowledge and preventing them from forming individual thoughts and opinions.

The suppression of books in the novel mirrors historical events like book burnings in Nazi Germany or periods of intense censorship in various regimes, where controlling information flow was crucial to maintaining power. Even today, we witness attempts to censor on different scales, from school book bans to internet firewalls in authoritarian states. These real-world parallels make Bradbury’s fictional world uncomfortably familiar.

By exploring censorship in “Fahrenheit 451,” Bradbury warns us about the dangers of allowing governments or other entities to decide what information is available to the public. He suggests that when people are kept in ignorance, they become easier to manipulate and control, which can lead to a dystopian future similar to that in his novel. Knowledge Versus Ignorance in a Dystopian World

In “Fahrenheit 451,” the battle between knowledge and ignorance is a driving force. Ray Bradbury paints a bleak picture where society shuns books, equating them with danger and dissent. The firemen, including the protagonist Montag, are tasked with burning books to suppress knowledge and maintain societal conformity.

Technology plays a pivotal role in promoting ignorance. The novel’s inhabitants are addicted to interactive TV walls and seashell radios that fill their minds with mindless entertainment, leaving little room for critical thought or self-reflection. This mirrors today’s concerns about technology’s impact on attention spans and the depth of information consumed.

Characters like Clarisse challenge Montag to question his role in society, sparking his transformation from a conformist to an individual seeking truth. Her curiosity and love for life contrast sharply with the complacency of Montag’s wife, Mildred, who represents the majority’s preference for comfort over intellectual freedom.

Through these characters’ struggles, Bradbury explores the dangers of conformity and the importance of individual thought. The theme underscores a warning: without the pursuit of knowledge, society risks descending into apathy and oppression. Conclusion: The Enduring Message of Fahrenheit 451

In “Fahrenheit 451,” Ray Bradbury masterfully weaves themes of censorship, knowledge, and societal conformity to present a chilling vision of the future. Censorship is not just about the physical destruction of books; it represents a broader attempt to stifle intellectual freedom and individual thought. The battle between knowledge and ignorance in the novel mirrors our own struggles with the overwhelming presence of technology and its impact on our capacity for deep understanding.

The characters’ journeys highlight the tension between individualism and societal pressure to conform, a theme that resonates with readers facing similar challenges today. Bradbury’s work serves as a stark reminder of the perils of complacency and the importance of safeguarding our intellectual freedoms.

As we reflect on these interwoven themes, their relevance endures in contemporary society. They prompt us to question the direction in which we are headed and consider how our choices might shape the future. Bradbury’s cautionary tale urges us to remain vigilant against the forces that threaten to erode our ability to think critically and independently, lest his dystopian world becomes our reality.

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Themes, Motifs, and Symbols in Fahrenheit 451

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: March 1, 2022

Those who are familiar with Ray Bradbury’s short stories will quickly recognize the prominent themes of the novel. Bradbury was never shy about his disdain for society’s reliance on technology, and many of his stories focus either directly or indirectly on the consequences of this reliance. Issues related to identity, knowledge, and government control are often explored alongside technology, and these are the primary thematic topics in  Fahrenheit 451 .

What We Review

Major Themes in Fahrenheit 451

Knowledge and individuality vs. ignorance and conformity.

The overarching theme of  Fahrenheit 451  explores the struggle between man’s desire for knowledge and individuality in a society that expects ignorance and conformity. Supporting themes centered around censorship as a means to control society and the destructive nature of technology are used to amplify the overarching theme.

The story’s protagonist, Guy Montag, is a fireman in a society where firemen no longer put out fires but rather start them in homes known to be hiding books. Though the story opens with an image of Montag appearing to relish the feeling of burning things, it’s not long before he meets Clarisse and is struck by how different she is from everyone else he knows.

Set in a future vision of America, society has become an empty shell of humanity. Having disregarded books and the knowledge contained in them, people have become ignorant, addicted to mass media and the constant barrage of sights and sounds that never stop to allow one to process and think. There is no room for the development of individual identity and ideas. Ideas lead to differences, and differences lead to conflict, which is avoided at all costs. To be different is to be an outcast; society has chosen conformity because life is simpler when everyone is the same.

As Montag’s eyes are opened to the emptiness of his life, he is driven to find greater meaning. Believing that books must contain the knowledge he seeks, Montag allows his life to spiral out of control as he defies the laws he was meant to uphold. His desperation to bring meaning to his life, to rid himself of the ignorance his society accepted, leads him on a tumultuous journey. He must accept that the only way to save himself and humanity is by destroying the world of ignorance and conformity he has been a part of for so long. Bradbury uses one of the most extreme forms of destruction to emphasize the grim reality and fate of a world that allows itself to fall to ignorance and conformity.

Censorship as a Means to Control Society

Though they are long past realizing it, the ignorance of the people in  Fahrenheit 451  allows them to be controlled through censorship. Without books to turn to for knowledge, society has given the government and mass media the power to control all information. Having lost the ability to think for themselves, the people stay electronically connected to media at all times, either through the Seashell Radios in their ears or their immersive parlors with wall-size screens.

The importance of this theme lies within the  how . Bradbury is not only trying to express the danger that comes with censorship and control. He shows how people themselves choose to either retain the right of individuality and knowledge or choose to succumb to the simplicity of a life without thought or the need to make decisions. By choosing knowledge, one can see the difference between manipulation and entertainment. By choosing individuality, one has the power to control their own future.

The Destructive Nature of Technology

As with many of Bradbury’s works,  Fahrenheit 451  contains a not-so-subtle message about the danger that technology poses for humanity. Writing during a time of rapid acceleration in technological capabilities, Bradbury saw how people became captivated by the excitement and entertainment that came with the increased capacity for mass media. In the setting of  Fahrenheit 451 , ignorance, conformity, censorship, and control are all the result of the destructive nature of technology. Captain Beatty explains to Montag how the current role of the fireman started: “The fact is we didn’t get along well until photography came into its own. Then – motion pictures in the early twentieth century. Radio. Television. Things began to have  mass ” (Bradbury 54). The increase in mass media technologies created a desire for quick and easy consumption of entertainment. 

While this entertainment lacks any depth, it stimulates the senses, and society has become addicted to the immediate satisfaction provided by these forms of entertainment. Reading takes time, thought, and consideration. For a society that has come to desire instant gratification, books have no appeal. When society lost interest in books, it lost its ability to think critically, process ideas, and develop unique ideas, creating an ignorant population with no sense of individual identity. In this way, technology destroyed the capacity to be human.

While technology has destroyed humanity through mass media, Bradbury also includes physically destructive forms of technology. The highly advanced Mechanical Hound is used for hunting down and killing or anesthetizing people. Cars have become tools for reckless danger, as their high-speed capabilities encourage quick thrills that often result in deadly accidents. Advanced weaponry creates the most physically destructive force in the novel, as an atomic bomb wipes out the entire city at the end of the novel. By fleeing the city and ridding himself of his society’s technological tools, Montag can begin his journey to find meaning and purpose in his life.

Motifs and Symbols in Fahrenheit 451

Motifs and symbols are used throughout literature to represent ideas and concepts that help develop the story’s themes. Bradbury weaves many motifs and symbols throughout  Fahrenheit 451  to help bring attention to and emphasize the critical messages he conveys. Motifs related to religion and paradoxes are found throughout the text, and they are often designed to make the reader question various aspects of the society in  Fahrenheit 451 . In contrast, nature imagery helps to illustrate the distinction between Montag’s society and a world untouched by the destructive nature of technology. Symbols are often used to represent the dual purposes of fire, the threat posed by technology, and the importance of self-awareness and identity.

Religion plays a recurring role throughout the text of  Fahrenheit 451 . When the reader first sees Montag stealing a book during a burning, he later discovers that it is a copy of the Bible. The significance of religion, or lack thereof, is discussed when Montag meets with Faber and shows him the Bible. While Faber explains that he is not a religious man, he describes how far removed religion is from the days when the Bible was allowed to exist: 

“Lord, how they’ve changed it in our ‘parlors’ these days. Christ is one of the ‘family’ now. I often wonder if God recognizes his own son the way we’ve dressed him up, or is it dressed him down? He’s a regular peppermint stick now, all sugar-crystal and saccharine when he isn’t making veiled references to certain commercial products that every worshiper absolutely needs.” (Bradbury 81)

When Montag is with Mildred’s friends Mrs. Bowles and Mrs. Phelps, he is reminded of a time in his childhood where he had entered a church and looked at the faces of saints that meant nothing to him. Though he tried to find a way to be a part of the religion, to feel something, he found nothing he could connect to. His frustration with finding someone to help him learn what is in the books leads him to start ripping pages out of the Bible in front of Faber, who finally agrees to help him.

As Montag joins Granger and his group, it is determined that he will be keeper of the Book of Ecclesiastes, as Montag can remember part of this Book, in addition to a small amount of the Book of Revelations. The novel ends with Montag recalling lines from both Books as the group begins their walk back towards the city.

Paradoxes can be complicated ideas to understand. At its core, a paradox is something self-contradictory. Bradbury makes a number of paradoxical statements throughout the text, primarily when describing Mildred or the Mechanical Hound.

At the beginning of the novel, when Montag first arrives home, he hears the hum of the Seashell radio and states that the room is not empty; however, after imagining how his wife lays in bed, lost in the sounds of the Seashell, he changes his description of the room to empty. Calling the room empty, yet knowing his wife is there, is a contradiction to logic. The emptiness is based on the reality that while Mildred might be  physically  in the room, her mind is elsewhere. 

When Montag is arguing about books with Mildred, he says, “I saw the damnedest snake in the world the other night. It was dead but it was alive. It could see but it couldn’t see” (Bradbury 73), recalling the mechanical snake that had pumped the poison from Mildred’s stomach and blood when she overdosed on sleeping pills. These statements help to portray Mildred as an empty shell of a person, a machine appearing to have more life than her.

When first describing the Hound, Montag states, “The Mechanical Hound slept but did not sleep, lived but did not live” (Bradbury 24). When he destroys the Hound that joined the firemen at his home, he refers to it as “the dead-alive thing” (Bradbury 120). Watching a different Hound being televised as it hunted for him, he says, “Out of a helicopter glided something that was not machine, not animal, not dead, not alive, glowing with a pale luminosity” Bradbury 135). In comparing the paradoxical statements made about Mildred, the mechanical snake, and the Mechanical Hound, the reader can see that Bradbury pushes the reader to question what it truly means to be alive.

On a much larger scale, one of the greatest paradoxes in the novel appears in the character of Captain Beatty. Beatty’s character, as a whole, can be seen as a paradox. He seems to relish the knowledge he has gained through his illegal consumption of books, yet he calls a book a loaded gun that he wouldn’t stomach for a minute. His recounting of how books came to be illegal is overwhelmingly patronizing, yet he speaks of his firm commitment to keep society free of books. His tirades  against  books are filled with lines he has snatched from those very same books. He is a contradiction to himself.

Nature imagery is often used in literature to represent both innocence and enlightenment. Nature is a natural counterpart to technology, which permeates the society in  Fahrenheit 451 . Bradbury uses nature imagery to emphasize things that represent a change from the norms that Montag has become so used to and to highlight the destructive force of society as he knows it. When nature is perverted with creations such as the Mechanical Hound, or the electronic-eyed snake used to pump Mildred’s stomach, they become images of darkness and death.

Montag’s interactions with Clarisse occur throughout the first thirty pages of the novel, broken apart by events that are part of his normal, everyday life. These interactions are riddled with references to nature, creating shifting moods each time Clarisse enters and exits Montag’s days. The first time he sees her, she nearly appears to be a part of nature:

“The autumn leaves blew over the moonlit pavement in such a way as to make the girl who was moving there seem fixed to a sliding walk, letting the motion of the wind and the leaves carry her forward. Her head was half bent to watch her shoes stir the circling leaves.” (Bradbury 5)

Clarisse often talks about her joy with the natural world as a contrast to her unsettling descriptions of other kids her age. She is considered antisocial for being so different from her peers and forced to see a psychiatrist, who “wants to know why [she goes] out and hike[s] around in the forests and watch[es] the birds and collect[s] butterflies” (Bradbury 23). Her love of the natural world sets her apart from most others, and Montag grows increasingly fascinated by her. In the short amount of time he knows her, she fills his world with images of the natural world. When she is gone, Montag feels the emptiness of his world:

“And then, Clarisse was gone. He didn’t know what there was about the afternoon, but it was not seeing her somewhere in the world. The lawn was empty, the trees empty, the street empty.” (Bradbury 32)

It fits, then, that Montag’s transformation occurs when he is immersed in nature after fleeing the city. He becomes enlightened by the sights and smells of nature, feeling as though the natural world can truly see him.

Fire serves as one of the most visible symbols in the text. The title of the novel itself,  Fahrenheit 451 , is itself a reference to fire, as it is the temperature at which paper will burn on its own. Bradbury uses fire to symbolize destruction, rebirth, as well as knowledge. The decision to be reborn into a world of knowledge or be destroyed by a self-destructing society is the critical choice that Montag must make.

Fire is most readily seen as a symbol of destruction from the opening line where Montag expresses his pleasure in burning. Books are burned in an attempt to keep society “free” of the harmful knowledge contained in them. The firemen are meant to appear as though they are protecting society through their use of fire, but the reality is that they are using fire to destroy individual identity, ideas, and thoughts. Captain Beatty represents fire as a destructive symbol through his life as a fireman and his death by fire.

The bombing of the city shows how fire serves simultaneously as a symbol of destruction and rebirth. The fire rids the city of all that is wrong with society while cleansing it to be reborn into a new and enlightened place. As knowledge is a form of enlightenment, fire is often placed in areas of the text where knowledge and enlightenment are present, such as at the campfire where Granger brings Montag. References to candlelight are used when Montag thinks about Clarisse and the “snuffing” of a candle when the firemen burn a home with books.

Salamander & Phoenix

The salamander is directly used as the symbol for the firemen in  Fahrenheit 451 . The firemen wear a patch with a salamander; the image of a salamander is etched onto the firehose used to blast kerosene and fire; the firetruck is called the Salamander. Likewise, the image of a phoenix is printed on the front of the firemen’s suits, and Captain Beatty has a phoenix on his hat and drives a Phoenix car.

The symbol of the salamander and the phoenix have been associated with fire since ancient times. Salamanders were believed to be born in fire and could shoot fire from its mouth. Ancient mythology includes stories of the phoenix, devoured by flames only to be reborn in its ashes. As the phoenix also holds a symbolic meaning of rebirth, it is vital to notice the duality of its use with Captain Beatty. He is killed by fire, allowing Montag to be reborn in his ashes. At the end of the novel, Granger looks into the fire and recalls the image of the phoenix, comparing it to humankind.

Seashell Radio

Throughout the text, Montag regularly refers to the Seashells, most often seen in Mildred’s ears. The Seashells are small radio devices nearly everyone in Montag’s society wears to receive constant broadcasts of information. The Seashell Radios symbolize the overt government control of society. While screens provide a regular barrage of media, the Seashell Radios are seen to be worn nearly 24/7 by Mildred and likely most of society. Even in sleep, the Seashells are broadcasting a constant stream of media. This continuous stimulation works to distract people from thinking or clearly notice the reality around them. When Faber gives Montag a Seashell that he had modified for two-way communication, it symbolizes a break from the conformity that the government tries to maintain in society.

Mirrors, in the literal sense, reflect oneself. Symbolically, mirrors are used to represent self-awareness and seeing one’s true self. The reference to a mirror is first used immediately following Montag’s introduction to Clarisse. He describes her face as being like a mirror, surprised to find someone that “refracted your own light to you” (Bradbury 11), indicating that Clarisse had recognized a part of his true self.

When the bombs fall on the city at the end of the novel, Montag imagines he hears Mildred screaming after seeing her true self in a mirror in a fraction of the moment just before the bombs consumed her. He imagines that “it was such a wildly empty face, all by itself in the room, touching nothing, starved and eating itself, that at last she recognized it as her own” (Bradbury 159-160). As the novel closes, Granger states, “Come on now, we’re going to build a mirror factory first and put out nothing but mirrors for the next year and take a long look in them” (Bradbury 164), suggesting that part of being reborn requires one to truly see oneself.

Wrapping U p

Authors always have a purpose for their writing. The messages embedded in a story often provide an important lesson or insight about life. Bradbury felt an urgent need to send a message about the fears he saw manifested in the world around him.  Fahrenheit 451  is his message to humanity about the importance of knowledge and identity in a society that can so easily be corrupted by ignorance, censorship, and the tools designed to distract from the realities of our world.

Works Cited

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451 . Simon and Schuster, 1950.

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Weekly Media Literacy Reflections

Censorship in fahrenheit 451 and the name of the rose.

By Yoshifumi Kobayashi and Rebecca Doser

Farenheit 451  (1966) Director:  François Truffaut Stars: Oskar Werner Julie Christie Cyril Cusack

Farenheit 451   (Fig.1) is a Dystopian science fiction film based on the 1953 novel by Ray Bradbury . This film is set in a significantly controlled society in which a fireman, Guy Montag, who burns all literature, becomes a fugitive for reading. The film was nominated for the Golden Lion at the 1966 Venice Film Festival.

The main point of this movie is to portray a society that is controlled by not only the media, but censorship , the limiting of publication of or access to a book (Baran, 2015, p. 53).  Television and film have shaped perceptions of reality, similar to The Truman Show . Montag burns all the books, which are seen as evil because they are “repositories of ideas, ideas that can be read and considered with limited outside influence or official supervision” (Baran, 2015, p. 55).

Montag says to Clarisse at the beginning that “books disturb people… they make them antisocial.”

Society in this movie is completely engulfed in television programs and mirroring what they see on the screen such as elements of perceived “beauty” in the way the women dress, do their hair and makeup and act. (Fig. 2). The world is completely idealized in that no one actually talks about important things anymore but rather the majority of society is aliterate , wherein people posse the ability to read but are unwilling to do so, hence a type of self-censorship (Baran, 2015, p.55).

Russian immigrant and writer Joseph Brodsky ‘s explanation during his Noble Prize for Literature clearly ties to this movie significantly: “Since there are no laws that can protect us from ourselves, no criminal code is capable of preventing a true crime against literature; though we can condemn the material suppression of literature – the persecution of writers, acts of censorship, the burning of books – we are powerless when it comes to its worst violation: that of not reading the books. For that crime, a person pays with his whole life; if the offender is a nation, it pays with its history” (Baran, 2015, p.55).

This quote is significant when analyzing the scene in which Montag says to his wife and her friends, ““You’re nothing but zombies, all of you… You’re not living, you’re just killing time!” He starts reading to them, which not only scares them but makes one of the women start to cry from them emotional strength of words that flood the pages of books. Millie is livid with him and says, “All those words, idiotic words, evil words that hurt people….isn’t there enough trouble as it is? Why disturb people with that sort of filth?” These women live in such a distorted world of ideals and censorship that they have allowed the government to take full control and demand of their mindsets, values and viewpoints. They depend on screen media to the highest degree, mirror their ideas of beauty and habits by what they see in the media, similar to today in that individuals seek out similar images of popular celebrities and mirror the way they dress, act, and live according to the mediums they favor (magazine, celebrity shows, or films).

Regardless of the fact that all books are burned in the movie, some individuals still remain willing to sacrifice everything they have to ensure that books, which carry out necessary elements of knowledge and morals over filtered screen play, remain alive. Montag becomes one of these individuals to question his social position when he talks to Clarisse about beauty, nature and love, watches a woman die with her books, and witnesses his wife suffer in the depths of television and grow into someone he does not even know anymore. Ultimately, Montag desires more knowledge, education and intellect thus he contacts Professor Faber who helps him on his way to redeeming his personal humanity.

The Name of the Rose(1986) Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud Stars: Sean Connery F. Murry Abraham Christian Slater

The core of The Name of the Rose  (Fig. 1) is a simple mystery of a murder case that occurred in ancient Northern Italy. One day, a young monk died mysteriously and the murderer continued after William, who was Franciscan friar and known for his wisdom as well as Adso, his apprentice, who visited the monastery. They are convinced to help them solve the horrible event, and consequently, they figured out a secret book that killed people and is the reason of murder. This movie refers to many historical individuals and events, yet, more importantly to our class, to the role of books before technology, as a forbidden book is the key to solve the murders.

First, since it was the age before the printer appeared, there was still an old-fashioned way of producing books in the monastery. People who worked there were the illuminators, translators, librarians and so forth. They copied the original books to pass down to the next generation in order to contain all the significant information.  All victims were the workers of the library system and therefore had access to read the banned books in this film.

Then, why was the book put under strict censorship? You can find the answer in the scene in which William and Adso visit the library in the monastery to see what they do, since the first victim was a famous illuminator .  In this scene, when the blind librarian enters the room as working monks are laughing, he scolds them and says, “A monk should not laugh. Only the fool lifts up his voice in laughter” in Latin (Fig.2). The librarian strongly believes that laughter is a sin and Christ  never laughed. The truth is that the hidden book is funny thus it can trigger laughter to its readers, which the librarian, the culprit, believes is sinful. William, however, argued that, “A laughter is particular to man.” For that, the librarian, hid the book so secretly that no one could commit an act of betrayal to their God.

What was he actually afraid of though and what made him perform in that way? It is probably the belief that people would get revolutionary ideas by reading such books because books have the “influence as cultural repositories and agents of social change” (Baran, 2015, p. 53). Books can give a change within the people, readers, socially and culturally (Baran, 2015, p. 52) especially when they are more intra personal resources. They develop the reader’s mind, whether or not it is good, without the help (or influence) of outsiders (Baran, 2015, p. 53). Books simply work readers’ minds and increase knowledge, which is why some people, like William, love reading.

William was so excited when he found out that he was able to get into the library that he was denied access to before:  “I knew it!” he shouted, getting excited that he was in the greatest library in Christendom (Fig.3). His apprentice, Adso, even asked his master if he even cared more about humans than books because the master seemed to be engulfed solely in his readings. This trend indicates how strong the power of books is. This type of power is sometimes considered a threat to a certain group of people, which in turn, causes this level of censorship to ensue in society. In this movie, a banned book, which relatively brought laughter, was also banned among monks due to their religious beliefs. Surely, this book would bring not only laughter but the new idea that could break their tradition sooner or later.The question that one is truly left with at the end, however, it this: Is it worth banning a book for tradition, or is it worth fighting for “the power of ideas” (Baran, 2015, p.55)?

Baran, Stanley J. “Chapter 3.”  Introduction to Mass Communication: Media Literacy and Culture . Boston: McGraw Hill, 2015. 47-69. Print.

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Fahrenheit 451 A Cautionary Tale of Censorship, Conformity, and the Power of Ideas

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What is the Role of Censorship in Fahrenheit 451?

This essay will examine the role and impact of censorship in Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451.” It will discuss how censorship is portrayed as a tool for controlling society and suppressing dissenting ideas. The piece will explore the consequences of censorship in the novel, including the loss of knowledge, individuality, and critical thinking. It will also consider the novel’s relevance to contemporary discussions on censorship and intellectual freedom. Also at PapersOwl you can find more free essay examples related to Censorship.

How it works

The bombs fell, the city burned, the government has not succeeded. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, introduces many themes that shape reality throughout the book. The author uses events to show the reason why things are happening like they are happening and how society is dying to do to technology due to the people. A society driven by the values of censorship and conformity will fail by the people.

Government Censorship in Fahrenheit 451

Censorship is one of the most common themes shown over and over in Fahrenheit 451.

Censorship is set into place by the government but is run by the people themselves. The government doesn’t want the people to become smarter than them so they put censorship into place so they aren’t able to read books, and if they do the firemen will burn their house down. They even burn the people if they don’t leave their house and stay with the books. “Magazines became a nice blend of vanilla tapioca. Books so the damned snobbish critics said, were dishwasher. No wonder books stopped selling the critics said”(Bradbury 59). Beatty explains to Montag that censorship happened because the people allowed it. They wanted to be happy and now have outside distractions. Now, this could be a good thing but it was all a cover-up so the people really didn’t know as much.

This relates to today’s work beachside people are starting to not read as much which leads to people not knowing that information. I believe that this is currently hitting our society and Bradbury could see this so that’s why he used it in the book. “It didn’t come from the government down. There was no dictum, no declaration, no censorship to start with no!”(Bradbury 68). Beatty explains that censorship did not come from the government but really the people themselves. The people wanted stuff to get done faster to they took advantage of technology but cofmpletely left out reading. They go so used to doing this that they didn’t even think of reading and them it was set into place. They thought they would be happier if they didn’t have thoughts going through their mind. This is so much the same with our world today, everyone is always on their phone or using some type of internet throughout the day and this has hurt how people understand and learn because they aren’t reading as much. “It’s not the books you need; it’s some of the things the were once inside the book”(Bradbury 114). The few men that have read and memorized the book plan to share this information from generation to generation they are doing this so they can share it with the “people” once they are ready. As soon as they are ready censorship will come to an end.

The information in the books is so booming that some people just don’t want to face reality. It can be hard sometimes but your can’t just follow other people your whole life and Bradbury is proving that point here. This brings back the statement of censorship. “Not everyone is born free and equal and the constitution says…each man the I image of the other”(Bradbury 55). This part is the novel is telling us that everyone is equal and no one has any greater rights in a dystopian society. From a early age they are thought not to read and that it’s a bad thing so for some people and the newer generation that is all they know. They actually think it’s a good thing not to read and if you do read you don’t belong in society. In all the people have completely messed up the way of life for everyone. “So now do you see why books are hated and feared? They show to pores in the face of life” (Bradbury 79). Faber tells the reader the untold truth about literature in society. As Montag starts to read the novel his character starts to become happier then he start to retaliate against society and the government.

He starts to realize what the government is hiding all the bad stuff from people to make them believe that society is perfect and has no problems. “We have everything we need to be happy, but we aren’t happy. Something’s missing.. So i thought books might help” (Bradbury 62). This line took place between Montag and Faber. This quote is important because it brings out Bradbury’s theme of conformity and that it brings out human happiness. He explains that we all should be happy just because everyone lives the same life. Faber and Montag both illustrate to the reader that is a false statement. Faber later says that “it’s not the books that we need but the information in the books that we need”(Bradbury 78). This helps Montag’s statement that books help people understand literature and without it people won’t truly be happy.

Censorship and conformity are shown many times throughout the whole book. The whole reason is to show a lesson to all the readers. That thing might not seem the easiest and you might think you are happy for a short time but inside there is no happiness. One thing that sets this book apart from most other stories is that it teaches an overall lesson. Shows us that we need to stop being on our phone all the time and actually gaining knowledge from what is inside these books

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Sample details

• Literature,
• Ray Bradbury,
• Fahrenheit 451,
• Ray Bradbury

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Fahrenheit 451 thesis statement

The 1967 film adaptation of Fahrenheit 451 by Vineyard Films explores themes of dyspepsia, society, censorship, and freedom of the individual. While the film shares the same themes as the book, there are many differences to note. The director, Frances Truffle, purposely cast Julie Christie to play both India and Claries to show that women are animalistic and cannot continue in their current society. Montage, the protagonist, searches for the internal wisdom and soul of the two women, and Claries becomes his teacher in the film, replacing the character of Faber from the book. The film also differs from the book in that women play a role in the reconstruction of the new society, reflecting the times in which it was made. Both the book and the film address the issues of a society that has allowed its government to take total control, where people have forgotten their histories and become victims of propaganda and censorship. Through Montage’s struggle and rebirth, both the reader and viewer are given the opportunity to see that the human spirit triumphs and that the knowledge books impart will never be destroyed.

All these themes, dyspepsia society, censorship, and freedom of the individual, are addressed in the 1967 Vineyard Films’ (Universal) version of Fahrenheit 451. Although the film reiterates the themes and basis of the book, there are many differences to contrast. In examining the film and novel, one important item to note is that the same actress, Julie Christie, plays both India (Milliard’s name in the film) and Claries.

When looking at this casting decision, one can deduce that the film director, Frances Truffle, purposefully made this decision to show the audience that the women are animal in the way that they cannot continue as they are in the present society. Although the two women are dramatically different in their beliefs, Montage continually searches for signs Of Clavicle’s energy and enthusiasm in his wife. Montage, is not focusing upon their physical appearance; he’s instead trying to find the internal wisdom and soul of the two women that he sees. Unfortunately, Claries dies in the book when Montage begins to understand her. However, in the film, Claries survives and, in fact, becomes his teacher she, in a way, replaces the character of Faber from the book who doesn’t appear in the film). She is the character who guides Montage to the book people hiding in the woods outside the city. Contemplate the fact that in the book, no women are present at the end of the novel, but in the film, women play a role in the reconstruction of the new society. Possibly, this difference reflects that the book was written in 1953, whereas the film was made 14 years later.

Regardless of the differences between the film and the book upon which the film is based, both stories of Fahrenheit 451 tackle the issues of a society that has allowed its government to take total control. Chillingly, people in this society have forgotten their histories and have allowed themselves to become victims of propaganda and censorship. In following the protagonist, Guy Montage, through his struggle and rebirth, the reader (and viewer) are given the opportunity to see that the human spirit triumphs and that the important knowledge that books can impart will never be destroyed.

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