Individuality In Fahrenheit 451

Trying to force one's identity on them, turns the light of the world into complete darkness. The burning of the Old Woman and her books intensifies passion and the death of individuality in Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. She rebelled against society and stood for what she believed in. The horrific sight completely changed Montag's perspective on life. Shock filled everyone’s bodies exemplifying the importance of her actions and the impact she was beginning to make.
The gloomy dystopian world presented in this book lacks the uniqueness of life and brings heartache to those living in it. If found doing something seen as “different” or “wrong” extreme consequences are brought upon you. In this world, firemen don’t put out the fires, but instead

Montag and Beatty, his captain, thought it was going to be a normal day at work until something was immediately off. They arrived at the old woman’s house noticing “she was not trying to escape” (Bradbury 33). This was an unusual sight for the fireman and it shocked many. The old woman knew why they were there and didn't want to fight it. The fireman began to drench the books in kerosene, assuming she would leave. However, strength and passion consumed her and she wouldn't give up. Nothing could get her to leave her books. They were her whole life, her truth. Confusion filled the firemen but they had to do their job. When Beatty was on the verge of sparking the kerosene, “ The women on the porch reached out with contempt to them all and struck the kitchen match against the railing” (Bradbury 37). She had done it. The woman had lit her house on fire and decided to die with her books. Guilt struck Montag's heart like a bow and arrow. He hadn’t seen anything like it. Even though the woman was gone, she died with her one true

Everyone was losing themselves, including Montag. In the past, joy filled the world. People were pursuing the presence of life, not taking anything for granted. Until then, when people lost the privilege to be their unique selves and technology consumed everyone. When the woman stayed motionless in her home, Beatty harshly questioned “You know the law. Where’s your common sense?” (Bradbury 35). Everyone began to look down upon the woman for doing what she thought was right. This shows the overwhelming judgment of society and how being different was unacceptable. Not only did they lose a soul that day, but they also lost one of the lasting bits of individuality in the