Prophecy. A word one rarely uses outside of biblical terminology. A word one would not associate with the works Fahrenheit 451 and 1984, yet a term that fits aptly with both novels. To prophesy, as the Webster Dictionary so nicely puts it, means "to predict with assurance...", which is exactly what both authors, George Orwell and Ray Bradbury did through their works. Some might argue that both novels were reflections of the times, or eras, that both authors lived in, and that is a correct assumption. However, a closer look of these works will reveal the warning wrapped in inked pages: if we continue on this path, then the world is doomed. In fact, several other analysts have discovered this subtle cautioning. For example, Edward E. Eller in …show more content…
Well, that would be the question of this paper: How do the dystopian works, Fahrenheit 451 and 1984, warn and prophesy against technology? From this question, the investigation will be narrowed to observe the symbolism occurring in the novels, because the study will be focused on the how, and not the why. Before the start of this investigation, a general agreement needed to be reached. The general understanding being that both novels are dismal predictions of the future, therefore eliminating the need to focus on the "why" and allowing room to comprehend "how" both authors spun tales of cautioning. Furthermore, the symbolism, or "how", will be studied because it supports a common motif: technology is the manipulator. A pattern that makes a frequent appearance in both works for a single reason: technology will be painted as the enemy. Moreover, both authors intended to twist technology into their villains, because technology is the main reason for their warnings. In fact, in the article 'I'm Being Ironic': Imperialism, Mass Culture, and the Fantastic World of Ray Bradbury by David Cochran points out what Bradbury must've been thinking during the writing of his novel, "Bradbury feared the effects of technology on society and the human spirit." Translated it means that Bradbury believed that technology would be the cause of change, and he obviously viewed this change in a negative light. Both authors saw technology as the enemy, and, therefore, created symbolism to subtly build a warning against the path humans had