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Fahrenheit 451 Freedom Essay

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Recommended: Think about the idea of conformity versus individuality in the book fahrenheit 451

Gemina Chen
END2D
Zuck
2023 05 11
The Struggle for Freedom in Fahrenheit 451
Knowledge is the key to true freedom. Is one truly free when one is limited to what one can think? In the society of Fahrenheit 451, humanity has voluntarily given up critical thought and as a result, the power to hold any meaningful protest or resistance against the regime. Those that demonstrate free thought are scarce and therefore disregarded by the ignorant majority that unknowingly has adapted to the absence of any meaningful knowledge. Non-conformist characters in Fahrenheit all face different outcomes but all help Montag evolve into someone who challenges society. The approaches to non-conformity and outcomes of the characters, Clarisse, Faber and Granger that …show more content…

Instead of being normal and watching TV programs and bullying people, Clarisse chooses to go on walks outside, observe the world where she lives, and question the logic of her society. As a consequence of the way society functions, Clarisse is killed. Several days after Clarisse disappears Mildred informs Montag, “'... The same girl. McClellan. Run over by a car. Four days ago. I’m not sure. But I think she’s dead. The family moved out anyway. I don’t know. But I think she’s dead.'” (44). Like Mildred, Beatty knows about Clarisse’s death: “...' Here or there, that’s bound to occur. Clarisse McClellan? We’ve a record on her family…She was a time bomb…The poor girl’s better off …show more content…

Faber is filled with the thoughts of one who does not conform to society. Montag is at a loss as to why he is unhappy, Faber explains that “'Only if the third necessary thing could be given to us. Number one, as I said, quality of information. Number two: leisure to digest it. And number three: the right to carry out actions based on what we learn from the interaction of the first two.'” (81). Faber challenges society through his thoughts. Here, he speaks about for society to be happy and truly functional, quality information has to be distributed, then digested by the public, and then finally the public has to be able to interact based on what they learned. All quality information is burned in the society of Fahrenheit. Although Faber challenges society mentally, he does not challenge society with action because he is terrified of the consequences. When Montag asks about the gadgets Faber

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In contrast, he exposes Faber’s cowardice through his interactions with Montag. When Montag seeks Faber’s help in rebelling, Faber tells him, “Mr. Montag, you are looking at a coward. I saw the ways this were going, a long time back. I said nothing” (82). This quote shows that Faber acknowledges his cowardice and won’t take action.

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At the end of the novel, Montag is not in the best place in his life. He was talking to Faber and he said, “this is happening to me” (108).

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Montag makes Faber realize how important books and how he shouldn’t be afraid

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He also shows him that the contents of books are what is really important about them. He also provided knowledge and advice to Montag through the earpiece. With the help of Faber’s reassuring company, Montag transforms into a critical thinker and someone who is aware of society. Faber provides Montag with reassurance and comfort during tough points for Montag. Montag is afraid and Faber through his earpiece gives Montag words of advice, “‘I know, I know.

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Through the development of Montag, the main character of Ray Bradbury’s dystopian novel, Fahrenheit 451, the importance of freedom of thought and ideas is not only stressed, but shown as an ideal worth dying for. “It was a pleasure to burn.”

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