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The book Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury has constantly been mislabeled for censorship. According to the author, “ his book is about the TV replacing books in society and is not about censorship.” In this essay, I will be evaluating how Bradbury’s book has been somewhat right about society, but also his fear on how technology is progressing more and that it would replace books. He was correct about a few of technologies replacing books in the future and there’s a huge chance that technology has caused kids to become antisocial. But what some of the things that he feared also has become useful now that we have technology, but because some things books can’t provide that technology can.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a novel that can teach us a lot about our society, and how it is developing. A main issue that is addressed in the novel is censorship, something that affects Montag’s society in an unimaginable way. The frightening part about the novel, however, is that Bradbury’s fanciful warning is not too distant from our reality. In this novel, censorship is at an astronomical level, everything is censored, be it books, education, even talking is discouraged.
In looking at censorship in Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury sends a very direct message showing readers what can happen if they allow
Fahrenheit 451 was inspired by a variety of historical occurrences that occurred during Ray Bradbury's lifetime. There is a reason why tyrants who take control try to find means to suppress their writers and other artists by banning or even destroying books. The reason is that literature and art frequently convey an independent attitude and the value of free thought. This was perhaps never more apparent than during the flurry of book burnings carried out by the Nazi administration in the 1930s. These book burnings evolved under the direction of the German students into ceremonial events where all concepts that were thought to have Jewish influence or that disagreed with state-sanctioned theology were destroyed.
There are plentiful problems that F451 by Ray Bradbury could think of when he was writing his book. He found many flaws in our future, for example the Rules and Order could rule the earth, Suicide Rates will go up because interactions aren’t a thing anymore to even as simple as a front porch not being a thing anymore because people don’t like to socialize anymore. The F451 by Ray Bradbury talks about many things throughout the 150 Page book written in only 9 days. Bradbury was desperate to get the word out to never stop reading because back then reading was the pastime but today its watching TV to sitting on the computer for a span of hours each day. Here are 3 topics that are addressed in F451.
Censorship can be defined as the prohibition of any part of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security. The uses of censorship, the overuse of technology, and conformity are evident in the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. However, in the text, censorship impacts society the greatest as it affects people’s critical thinking as well as distorts information. Censorship is used throughout the novel Fahrenheit 451, and the government uses it to control the citizens.
Bradbury seems like he's only against the censorship that interferes with books and writing. Nothing else is mentioned in as great detail as burning books and trying to stop it. There are a couple references to people being forced to speed but not great detail on anything else. I feel like, in a certain way, this society does exist already, though not exactly. People are obsessed with TV and video games and anything to keep them busy, as long as there are educated people out numbering the uneducated and there are people with some sense, then I don't think it will get as bad as in the book.
To support his claim, Weller adds that Bradbury’s article for The Nation in 1953 clearly shows that censorship was at the “forefront of his mind” when he wrote the novel. Thus, he successfully clarifies the controversial issue regarding the theme of censorship in Fahrenheit 451. A memorable saying I picked up from this article is, “Fahrenheit 451 is less about Big Brother and more about Little Sister” (Bradbury). By this, Weller explains that in Bradbury’s fictional universe, “Big Brother is less instrumental in the censorship of books than the citizens themselves who no longer care about the joy of reading.” Although Huxley’s Brave New World is similar to Fahrenheit 451, I prefer the latter, because it is simpler and easier to relate it to the world today.
Could you imagine just scrolling through your phone one day and finding a news article saying that musicals have been censored and banned? Or flip flops? It would be very bizarre to have to go through life after experencing something that was now censored. What is even more weird is the affect it could have on the world though. It is strange to think about how such a small, normal thing could be taken away and have a massive affect on how the world works.
Throughout Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, he makes various predictions regarding the negative impacts of censorship on society, however, some believe that censorship can withhold positive impacts on one’s self-perception. One advocate for this belief was Captain Beatty, and he presented his support for this ideology amidst trying to reassure Montag into returning to his job. Beatty said, “Today, thanks to them, you can stay happy all the time, you are allowed to read comics, the good old confessions, or trade journals” (Bradbury 58). With this expression presented by Beatty, it’s evident that he believes, by the addition of censorship in society they are protecting and sheltering the feelings of minorities. He also explains that censorship
Does censorship violate freedom of speech? Well, even though the First Amendment guarantees the right to free speech and press in America, there are a few exceptions. The government can control many aspects of our lives. One piece that they are able to control is censorship, which there are many different types of. In the book, Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury illustrates how censorship causes people to be controlled by the government and does not let individuals have their own opinions; many of his predictions have proven to be true in recent years.
In our country the idea of success is “The American Dream”, however, this also comes with it’s nightmares. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury tells a story set in the 24th century about Guy Montag, a fireman who was once proud of his profession, but then starts to question his life, profession, and society. In Fahrenheit 451 society is censored by, and vulnerable to, technology. Technology such as the Mechanical Dog, which is used for physical control of the people.
Every government has some degree of censorship. Censorship is necessary in order to keep citizens safe and have a successful society. However, too much censorship can have the opposite effect and lead to a lack of knowledge, freedom, and individualism among citizens. Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel that demonstrates this idea. The characters live in a world in which all books are banned in order for everyone to be “happy”.
Kevan Patel Mrs. Fawcett CP Honors English 1 Period 1 26 May 2023 Knowledge: A Double Sided Coin The value of books and the destructive nature of censorship represent two sides of the same coin, each influencing one other in a subtle battle over power and control. In his novel Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury illustrates the contrasting relationship between the utility of literature and the perils of censorship through the contradicting character of Captain Beatty. Within the novel, Captain Beatty, a manipulative fire chief, is tasked with upholding a society filled with ignorant citizens through his enforcement of government ideals regarding the burning of books and the suppression of intelligence.
Imagine working hard on a novel and then having it banned from student to read in school. It should be a basic right of anyone to write about the truth of any matter. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury firemen burn books and the media is censored to prevent individuals finding their truth in a matter. These designated firemen, such as the main character Montag, who set fire to books and papers. This prevents anyone from furthering their understanding of the world or receiving a proper education.