Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a dystopian novel surrounding multiple themes. The author develops multiple central ideas, which include identity, knowledge, censorship, technology and ignorance. The main focus of this novel was the overarching theme of identity and learning to express yourself. We can depict this knowledge by emphasizing the journey that the main character, Guy Montag, went through. With the help of supporting characters, an oppressive society, and the understanding of self interest, we can clearly distinguish a disposition in paternalistic mentalities. Guy Montag is a fireman, with the number “451” stamped on his helmet. He works in favor of Captain Beatty, his boss. In this day and age firefighters are meant to put out fires, however in this …show more content…
The firefighters have a job to do and get it down with a smile on their face. We know Guy Montag feels this way because of the very first sentence in this book, “It was a pleasure to burn.” He was very self-aware of what he was doing, however, he had a whole new perspective toward the end of the book. We can thank the sudden change of heart to one character, Clarisse McClellan. She was a young, eccentric soul who loved all things uncommon. Nature, life, even books. The sudden disappearance of Clarisse pushed Montag to suddenly feel empathy. The society that these characters were living in played a huge role in shaping the overall theme and morality of the story. Colored people don't like Little Black Sambo. Burn it.” “White people don't feel good about Uncle Tom's Cabin." Burn it.” Page 57. This quote was said by Captain Beatty, who was trying to prove a point to Montag, saying he knows a lot about books but chooses a bad interpretation of it. The fact that he can quote literature shows he has read books in the past but chooses to find them unimportant. This shows that even society looks down upon books and follows in a more superior