Censoring Society In Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury

Censoring Society In recent years, books in school libraries across the U.S. have been challenged to be taken off of shelves for containing topics that were deemed inappropriate by parents and teachers alike. Some of these cases have resulted in words being blacked out or altered, while other cases were successful in taking the book off of the shelf entirely. One of the many books being challenged to be banned is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Although sensitive and controversial issues such as censorship appear in Fahrenheit 451, the novel should not be banned because it is a story that explores this topic of restricting information which allows readers to understand the severity of it and its impacts in society. Censorship is one of the

Ray Bradbury's novel, set in a future dystopian American society, brings the topic of concealing information to light to teenagers. While censorship appears in this futuristic setting, it has been a part of history since the invention of the printing press in Western Europe in the 15th century. One article on this topic explores the history of it in the world as well as different types of information that governments restrict. The article asserts that "Authoritarian governments often use censorship as a way to restrict the information their citizens receive and to maintain power over people" ("Censorship" par. 10). Fahrenheit 451 notably explores the topic of censorship which might be a new concept to certain readers. The novel takes a serious and important aspect of society and applies it to the novel's story for the purpose of illuminating this

In his novel, Bradbury establishes the significance behind the First Amendment of the United States Constitution as he shows how the government in the future, dystopian U.S. has taken advantage of its citizens and violated their rights. Another part of the freedom of speech and press includes intellectual freedom, which is the right to seek and retrieve unhindered information. Bradbury clearly demonstrates how the government in this society has violated this right as burning books became a nationwide practice. Intellectual freedom is a right that is being violated currently in the United States as well as other countries globally. Cases of this freedom being violated have been increasing in the education system of the United States in recent years. Books such as Fahrenheit 451 are being challenged to be taken off shelves of school libraries as well as school curriculums. In an article about intellectual freedom, the authors explain, "School leaders and librarians have an obligation to promote information access, intellectual freedom, and the right to read" (McLaughlin and Hendricks 11). This article not only notes several court cases in which students' intellectual freedom were challenged, but it also emphasizes why that freedom is important.