A Soon To Come Dystopia? Ray Bradbury’s, Fahrenheit 451, is a dystopian novel about a society where books are banned and “firemen” are tasked with starting fires rather than putting them out. The government uses fear, distractions, and censorship to control and alienate its citizens. Initially, the protagonist, Guy Montag, displays fear as he blindly follows the government's oppressive policies. As he becomes disillusioned with his role as a fireman, he begins to question the government's acts of censorship and society's conformity. His fear is observable as he claims, “nobody listens anymore I can't talk to the walls because their yelling at me. I can’t talk to my wife; she listens to the walls. I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if I talk long enough it’ll make sense.” (pg 81) His fear stems from the realization that he is isolated and alone in his thought, putting him in a state of …show more content…
Mildred Montag, a character in the novel, symbolizes the consequences of living in a society consumed by technology and media. Mildred’s unhealthy obsession with her three televisions and seashell ear-thimbles has driven her to learn how to read lips, making communication with others nearly impossible. Guy Montag remarks that she “had both ears plugged with electronic bees that were humming the hour away”(pg, 17) showing how her addiction to technology and distractions has led her to become isolated and disconnected from the outside world. In the novel, this addiction to distractions is used by the government to suppress knowledge and independent thinking, leading to an intellectually and socially disowned society. Fahrenheit 451 serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of excessive reliance on technology and media, emphasizing the need for human connection and critical thinking to maintain a healthy and independent