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Critical Response Fahrenheit 451

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The novel “Farenheit 451” written Ray Bradbury between 1950 and 1953 is thought provoking novel which raises important concerns about what the future may hold. Predominantly told through the eyes of the protagonist Guy Montag Bradbury warns humanity of a future containing mind manipulation, abuse of technology and heavy government censorship. The purpose of this book is clearly to warn society of the path we are headed to if we continue to value new technology over knowledge by showing us “that although knowledge can cause disharmony, knowledge of the past can help prevent man from making similar mistakes in the future”. The title “Fahrenheit 451” is significant to the book because it represents the temperature at which books ignite. Since …show more content…

People with interests outside of technology and entertainment, are seen as strange and are usually avoid my majority of the population. This mass media smothering and extreme censorship leads to many problems including violence, depression, and even suicide as seen in Montag’s wife Mildred. The theme of extreme censorship is conveyed through a variety of techniques including the use animal imagery and the symbolism of fire, water and the Phoenix. Throughout the novel animal and nature imagery is used to represent the force of truth and innocence. When Clarisse convinces Montag to taste the rain it changes him irreversibly showing him the enlightening power of unspoiled nature. Most of the novel’s animal imagery is ironic because even though the community is dominated by technology and disregards nature, many of the intimidating mechanical devices are modeled or named after animals for instance the Mechanical Hound and the Electric-Eyed Snake. Bradbury also uses powerful the symbolism of fire, water and the Phoenix to paint distinct images in the reader’s minds. Firemen see fire as a symbol of purification through the burning of books. This is quite ironic because rather than purifying the world they are contributing to the destruction of knowledge. The Chief of the Fire

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