Intellectualism In Fahrenheit 451

Guy Montag is a fireman whose job is to burn books. Essentially, guy’s job is to start fires supposed to put them out. Books are against the law in futuristic USA, and have been replaced by wall size TV sets. Books were made illegal because they would provoke thought that would cause disagreements and they also offend the readers. Over time, books were revised to make them shorter. Eventually, the books were revised so much that the “books” were 1 page long. Later on, the government concluded that it is best if books no longer exist. Homes were constructed to be fireproof, and the fireman's job was changed to burn the

Imagine a world in which one is taught how and what to think. In this world no one is given the opportunity to form their own opinions. Books are illegal because they might generate ideas other than those which are taught. Knowledge is what allows a person to understand right from wrong, but if it is ingrained in a person to follow a set of rules without having an understanding for them, it’s most likely that the person will rebel. That is what occurs in Fahrenheit 451. Books are banned and, if found, are burned along with the house they are located in. This rule instilled fear and curiosity in the hearts of certain people within their society. Fear of getting their house burned and curiosity about the contents of these books people are sacrificing their houses and even some lives for. The answer is simple: knowledge. In Fahrenheit 451, the power and value of ideas allows one to see the world’s beauty clearly through their own eyes, comprehend and cognize the rules, and instigate conflict.

What does it take to build a dystopia? Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 proposes that it is people who create a dystopia and looking around at our world today (I’m talking about you, America), it’s not hard to see the truth in this idea. The creation of a dystopia begins with a culture of anti-intellectual sentiment, in which logic, science and thought become less relevant to the general population. The anti-intellectualism is furthered by an endless stream of mindless entertainment, saturating the minds of the people. The end result is a society of the willfully ignorant, ready to be controlled and manipulated by whoever so desires.

As the plot presented itself, fire did also. Fire was used as a solution to get rid of society’s ills. Ills in this society include nonconformity, overflow in wisdom and knowledge, and government doubt or mistrust. They all derived from one common factor: books. Beatty claimed that without books “…all are happy, for there are no mountains to make them cower, to judge themselves against. So! A book is a loaded gun in the house next door” (28). Books were the greatest evil, because it places ideas of controversy and critical thinking into the minds of readers. Explaining to Montag the quick fix to the trouble of books, Beatty said, “And so when houses were finally fireproofed completely, all over the world there was no longer need of firemen for the old purposes. They were given the new job, as custodians of our peace of mind…” (28). As these issues became more and more prominent with time, something to subdue or suppress them was needed. Fire was the answer. So, in their noble position as firemen, Montag and his coworkers destroyed any detected books with fire immediately. This way, residents cannot read them and implant radical ideas. The

Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel written by Ray Bradbury that depicts a futuristic American society where books are banned and independent thought is persecuted. Bradbury uses his imagination to take a hard look at a world consumed by technology, and he presents predictions about pleasure, violence and anti-intellectualism that are alarmingly similar to the modern American society. Notably, in both societies people find pleasure in entertainment that is endlessly preoccupying. Second, people are violent and careless. Finally, anti-intellectualism and suppression of independent thought affect both societies, as firemen ban books in Fahrenheit 451 and, in the

According to German author, Heinrich Heine, “Where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings.” This quote relates to the book burning and the consequences in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In Fahrenheit 451, the government bans all printed materials, and the firefighters are responsible to enforce the book-banning law. The firefighters’ job in this dystopian, emotionless, egalitarian society is to burn the houses that contain books. This society depends heavily on technology, where “The Family” is an interactive television wall. Guy Montag is a well-respected senior fireman; however, he starts to question the government after meeting the radical Clarisse. He starts to read confiscated books and decides

Have you ever heard about a society that burns houses instead of putting them out? The book, Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury is Science Fiction. In this book, Guy Montag is a firefighter that causes fires instead of putting them out. He began to question about his society when he met a young girl named Clarisse McClellan. He is also married to Mildred, who tries to suicide by taking too many sleeping pills and is out of her mind. In this society, the purpose of being a firefighter is to burn houses that hold books in them and arrest or kill the people who had been hiding the books. Towards the end of the story, Montag soon realizes that books can give you the knowledge one needs. The best way to keep that knowledge without someone

Guy Montag is a firefighter and a firefighter in his society burns books because it is a

Guy Montag, a local ‘firemen’ lives in a despairing dreary world where instead of firemen extinguishing fires they create them, they burn and banish books. They believe that books are a sin and trouble to society. Although Montag is one of the main sources of the books being burned he meets a bright young girl that changes his ways of thinking and

We meet Guy Montag, a Fireman, who burns books in a futuristic and dystopian American society. The Central problem is Montag’s Man vs Society conflict in which he battles against an oppressive society.

Book-burning is the first thing that is explained about this future based society of Fahrenheit 451. Burning books is the obliteration of the single thought on paper or in one word- censorship. Books are considered evil because they make people question and think. All intellectual curiosity and thirst for knowledge must be quelled for the good of the state — for the good of conformity. Without ideas, everyone conforms, and as a result, everyone should be happy. When books and new ideas are available to people, conflict and unhappiness occur. Some of the many different motifs in the novel Fahrenheit 451 are conveyed through the use of various sardonic lines and connotations planted throughout the book. On the matter of technology and modernization it explains how TV reigns supreme in the future because of the "happiness" it offers. People are content when they don’t have to think, or so the story goes. TV aside, technology is the government’s means of oppression, but also provides the renegade’s opportunity to subvert. Rules and order is another popular topic written into the book. It is stated that “All books can be beaten down with reason.” This was said by Captain Betty, a quote ironically coming from a book itself. Much of the restrictions on the general populous are self-enforced. The government has taken away the citizens’ ability to dissent and marred all dissatisfaction with a cheap version of "happiness," a.k.a. TV. This means

Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, details a world filled with mindless entertainment and a lack of self-expression. Everyone is not only discouraged to think for themselves, but also fearful of unique thoughts and ideas. A quote from the book that would describe this is, “It was a pleasure to burn…with the brass nozzle in his fists…blazing and burning to bring down the tatters and charcoal ruins of history…While the books went up in sparkling whirls and blew away on a wind turned dark and burning.” (1) Books, which would provide information and knowledge, are forbidden and burned. The owner who is caught with them is put in prison. The idea of a society run by one who dictate the rules, take away all freedom. These consequences for disobeying and being an “individual” are strong reasons the

In a society where firefighter’s purposely burn books, anything is possible. In Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, a firefighter, Guy Montag, follows the rules and expectations of burning books. The job of a firefighter is to burn books because they are banned in the society Montag is a part of. Throughout the book Montag meets various characters that create curiosity and help him gain knowledge about the rules of his society. In the end, Montag is able to develop his own opinions and views about the rules he is following.

Guy Montag: Guy Montag is the protagonist in the novel that changes from being a fireman burning books to believing that books are essential to life. He was inspired by Clarisse and the woman who burned herself for books to continue to be read and go against society. While taking out the books he collected after the old woman opened his eyes to its importance he said, “Here now [...] We’ll start over again, at the

For centuries, books have been extremely influential to the way the world runs. They are used to help guide others, to share opinions, and inspire future generations of people. It is difficult to imagine what a world without books would be like. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, that idea is explored. This novel shows what a world without books would be like, and it seems to be quite chaotic. With books being illegal, punishment comes with owning a book. Fireman Guy Montag is one of many people who make sure that hidden books are destroyed. His job is to burn down houses where people live, even if the people in the house refuse to leave. As the book goes on, Guy Montag begins to wonder why he burns books. He wonders, is he really doing the right thing? One thing is sure, Guy Montag is not satisfied with his life and will do almost anything to be happy once more. Guy Montag is so unsatisfied with his life and so greedy for this knowledge of books that he is willing to lose his wife of many years, his job, and a place in his society.