James Shank Mr. Klever ENGIII 4/20/2023 Fahrenheit 451 Book and Research Essay The truth is, Fahrenheit 451 and 2023 aren't all that different. Many kids and adults would much prefer to do something that involves technology. People often choose to have a conversation over the phone with their friends or family if they even have one at all. Most of all, many people hate picking up a good ol’ book and reading it. F451 is very similar to the world we live in today, where many people are obsessed with technology, have a lack of social connection with others, and dislike books and literature. Modern society has seen a significant shift towards technological advancement and the dependence on technology in everyday life. According to a study by Pew …show more content…
A study conducted by Cigna found that 61% of Americans feel lonely, a feeling that has been dubbed an "epidemic". In Fahrenheit 451, characters are also depicted as being disconnected from each other, with Mildred, Montag's wife, who constantly seems to be more interested in her television than in her husband. Another comparison between modern society and Fahrenheit 451 is the devaluing of education and books. In the novel, books are banned as well as burned, and critical thinking and free expression are suppressed. Similarly, a study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that only 34% of adults in the United States have a bachelor's degree or higher. Finally, the devaluing of books as a source of knowledge is also evident in modern society. A report by the American Library Association found that between 2009 and 2018, book circulation in public libraries decreased by 15%. In conclusion, the similarities between modern society and Fahrenheit 451 are many and all around. The dependence on technology, lack of social connections, devaluing of education, and books all point to a society that is struggling to prioritize what is truly important. By recognizing these similarities, we can better understand the challenges we face and work towards creating a more balanced and equitable society that values human connection, critical thinking, and …show more content…
“The State of America’s Libraries - American Library Association.” State of America's Libraries Report 2019, Apr. 2019, https://www.ala.org/news/sites/ala.org.news/files/content/2019-soal-report-final.pdf. Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. Ballantine Books, 1953. Nemecek, Douglas. “2020 U.S. Report: To Further Explore the Impact of Loneliness, in Our ...” Cigna 2020 Loneliness Report, 2020, https://www.cigna.com/static/www-cigna-com/docs/about-us/newsroom/studies-and-reports/combatting-loneliness/cigna-2020-loneliness-factsheet.pdf. Perrin, Andrew, and Monica Anderson. “Share of U.S. Adults Using Social Media, Including Facebook, Is Mostly Unchanged since 2018.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 7 Apr. 2021, https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/04/10/share-of-u-s-adults-using-social-media-including-facebook-is-mostly-unchanged-since-2018/. Snyder, Thomas D., et al. “National Center for Education Statistics.” Digest of Education Statistics, 2018, Dec. 2019,