Social Control In Fahrenheit 451

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The novel Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradburry, is an accentuated novelization of the world that we know. As seen in our own world history, this story presents an American society in which books are destroyed through the use of fire. Firemen, rather than putting out flames, instead carry out this act of ridding society of these books’ knowledge. We follow the protagonist, Guy Montag, as he slowly begins to become troubled with how their lives truly are. Citizens of this society are undoubtedly victims of the oppressive system in which they live, they are controlled through psychological and physical domination, as well as a lack of individual freedom.
This world of Fahrenheit 451, is one in which oppressive societal control and the mirage of a perfection is maintained through complete control over the peoples’ knowledge. Although the education of these people is not explicitly stated, knowing their lack of books one can conclude how controlled and filtered their knowledge must be. This utilization of censorship creates a world where citizens only know what the system wants them to know-- they can …show more content…

She is Guy’s wife, and is depicted as just another member of the society. She is not different or rebellious in thinking like Montag, but conforms to the way things are. Throughout the book we feel the two drifting apart because of the changes in Montag. Guy comes to realize that his wife along with his fellow citizens are not happy, as much as they are numbly existing in this society-- there is no true meaning to everything that occurs. The control that they have in this scenario, is desensitizing society. For example, when Mildred attempts to end her life and Montag panics he is told, “(quote). This quote portrays just how unfeeling this society truly is. Physiological troubles, something as extreme as ending one's life, is seen as normal and almost as if it does not