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Fahrenheit 451 Societal Comfort

Decent Essays

In today’s society, people yearn for societal comfort. However, Ray Bradbury offers a different perspective on societal comfort in the novel Fahrenheit 451, using characterization and internal conflict to show that a lack of knowledge leads to societal comfort and government manipulation. Bradbury uses the ladies’ opinions to reveal that a lack of knowledge leads to societal comfort. For example, when Montag turns off the parlor walls to talk about the war, Mrs. Phelps says, “‘I’m not worried; I’ll let Pete do all the worrying. Not me. I’m not worried’” (Bradbury 94). The phrase, “not worried,” shows that Mrs. Phelps wants to avoid the stress that knowledge about the war might bring. Thus, Mrs. Phelps manages to remain at peace during wartime. When Bradbury writes, “all the worrying,” he shows that people who lack knowledge and the ambition for critical thinking live comfortable lives. Furthermore, when Montag asks the ladies about children, Mrs. Phelps states, “Caserians or not, children are ruinous; you’re out of your mind” (Bradbury 96). Mrs. Bowles also adds: “I pluck children in school nine days out of ten. I put up with them when they come home three days a month” (Bradbury 96). …show more content…

Therefore, Phelps and Bowles dislike children. Furthermore, Mrs.

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