Fahrenheit 451 Research Paper

A perceptive of truth in Ray Bradbury's novel Fahrenheit 451 and Peter Weir's intriguing film The Truman Show is demonstrated by the fact that the only people that question their reality, get a glimpse of the outside world or know they are in a false reality. These aspects help show that to leave a false reality, one must be able to reject the reality presented to them. Through this, the audience is positioned to see the protagonist's views as ideal. This is magnified by the use of different varying camera angles in The Truman Show and the extensive description in Fahrenheit 451.

Both texts illustrate that people questioning the reality they are in are perceived to be more inclined to escape the reality they are stuck in. The Truman Show demonstrates

His main driving factor to leave and question the reality he is in is Silvia. This is represented when Truman tears up magazines to try and recreate Silvia’s face as seen at the time, 27:40 to 28:20. An over-the-shoulder cam is used to position the audience to feel like they are there watching Truman from right behind him. Along with the over-the-should camera, a zoom camera shot is when Truman is over the correct pair of eyes he will use. This hints to the audience that it is the correct one as the camera getting closer to the picture directly mirrors Truman getting closer to complete Silvia’s face. Fahrenheit 451 also shows that getting a glimpse of the outside world is a factor at play in helping reject a false reality one is living in. This is represented through Montag’s interactions with the professor, specifically when Montag realises and says ‘We have everything we need to be happy, but we aren’t happy. Something’s missing. I looked around and looked. The only thing I knew was gone was the books I’d burned in ten or twelve years. So I thought books might help.’ Professor Faber helps guide Montag to realise that the world of knowledge being suppressed might be the key to making people happy again and shows him the impact it can have on someone. Both texts have a sage role character giving information to the protagonist to

In The Truman Show, this is displayed vividly when Truman tells Christoff that if he wants to stop him he will have to kill him. This moment is seen at the 1:23:18 time in the film. A close-up camera is used to bring attention to Truman and what he is saying. As well as this, a pathetic fallacy is used here to reflect the emotions of the audience as they are conflicted and want Truman to make it but then they will not have a show anymore. Fahrenheit 451 also shows that the protagonist's knowledge of the reality there in being false is the last key in them rejecting their false reality and escaping the reality there in. Fahrenheit 451 vividly conveys this message when Montag burns his own house down and has to be forced to reject the reality he is in and find his own path. This can be seen on page 130 “He burnt the bedroom walls and the cosmetics chest because he wanted to change everything, the chairs, the tables, and in the dining room the silverware and plastic dishes, everything that showed that he had lived here in this empty house.” Montag is forced to leave the life he once had and make a new one as he is now on the run. This quote demonstrates that Montag had to reject the false reality he’s been living in for so long and is emphasised through the use of fire as a sign of rebirth. As Montag burns down his house, he