Chase Braden Ms. Burton Honors World Lit; P2 9 January 2023 Mid-term Essay: F451 A Soon To Come Dystopia? “Fahrenheit 451” written by Ray Bradbury is a dystopian novel that explores a futuristic society where books are banned and critical thinking is discouraged. The government, led by a distasteful regime uses fear, distraction, and censorship to control and alienate the society and citizens within it. Initially, the novel's protagonist, Guy Montag, is a fireman whose job is to start fires rather than put them out. As he becomes disillusioned with the government's tactics, he begins to question his role in the government's acts of censorship, saying, “Nobody listens any more. I can’t talk to the walls because their yelling at me. I can’t talk to my wife; she listens to the walls. I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if I talk long enough, it’ll make sense.”. This quote from Montag shows his fear and frustration with the society he …show more content…
A great example of censorship in our book occurs when Beatty (the captain of the firemen) comes to Montag's house because he believes Montag had brought a book home with him, saying, “If you don’t want a house built, hide the nails and wood. If you don’t want a man unhappy politically, don’t give him two sides to a question to worry him, give him one. Better yet, give him none.”. This quote is a blatant example of censorship in society because Beatty is saying that it is better for the government or regime really, to not give people the choice and rather give them no choice in a matter when the government can decide for them. Meaning people of society are separated and alienated from one another subconsciously or without a choice. The quote is only one of many strong examples of censorship and alienation within society including the banning and burning of books, mass media, firemen,