Censorship In Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451

1594 Words7 Pages
Fahrenheit 451 brilliantly illustrates a life where censorship eliminates thought provoking activities and replaces such activities with those of instant gratification. Censorship is a controversial topic that often confuses the common person. “Censorship, the suppression of words, images, or ideas that are ‘offensive,’ happens whenever some people succeed in imposing their personal political or moral values on others” (“What is Censorship” 1). Knowing the definition of censorship allows for the ability to discern suppression from the whole truth. Why censor in the first place? Censorship is the way individuals in power assert what they want over those who cannot control what happens. Eventually, the censoring becomes comfortable and begin to fear a life without it. This complacency is seen in the events from Ray Bradbury’s childhood up to the time of him writing Fahrenheit 451. Bradbury’s awareness of the influence censoring had was apparent; as a result, the well-being of society is dramatically emphasized. Throughout the course of Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury vividly illustrates about the illegitimacy of censorship; this is done by referencing the reason to censor, the history during Fahrenheit 451, and the effect it has on the well being of society. First, the issue of censorship is brought to light by composing a dystopian where books are illegal and deep thoughts are disregarded. At the opening of the novel Montag is a passionate fireman, but his occupation comes with