Knowledge In Fahrenheit 451

Each society values knowledge and wisdom differently, but as real life advances in time, it may become more similar to the world of Fahrenheit 451. Learning and censorship are important themes throughout Fahrenheit 451, as books are prohibited and even burnt. When Montag was with the other firemen, he thought about what it would be like to have his house burnt, “[gazing] beyond them to the wall with the typed lists of a million forbidden books. Their names leapt in fire, burning down the years under his axe and his hose which spared not water but kerosene” (Bradbury 31). The ‘forbidden books’ contain valuable knowledge and wisdom, but society has censored all of it. In doing so, ignorance is encouraged and learning restricted. Education is

Life is immediate, the job counts, pleasure lies all about after work” (Bradbury 53). In Fahrenheit 451, focus has shifted almost entirely from learning to self-gratification. Due to this, people are ignorant and only care about how they can satisfy themselves. The modern-day education system is also shortsighted – academics are confined to schools, where people are fed facts and formulas. Students look forward to class ending, and always seem to want class to be over. Everyone, regardless of situation, wants things to work faster and more efficiently, which was only accomplished with technology advancement. The people in Fahrenheit 451 has become so technology-absorbed that there’s no time for direct communication or human interaction. Clarisse’s uncle once told her, “No front porches… they didn’t want people sitting like that, doing nothing, rocking, talking; that was the wrong kind of social life. People talked too much. And they had time to think… Not many gardens anymore to sit around in… No rocking chairs anymore. They’re too comfortable” (Bradbury