True Ignorance In Fahrenheit 451, By Ray Bradbury

“ True ignorance is not the absence of knowledge but the refusal to acquire it”. This quotation explains how individuals take for granted the knowledge given to them without recognizing its importance. This is evident in today’s world with social media and fake news. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury also focuses on this theme by subjecting characters to visual stimuli that brainwash them. Not only are they brainwashed by images, but also all real news and information are blocked by the government. Where the government utilizes different forms of mental control to manipulate society’s way of thinking, often leading to ignorance, a sense of emptiness and sorrow.

Bradbury’s intent is that the role of a firefighter involves making fires for

For this reason, two women in the novel are incapable of understanding the beauty of literature. When Montag recites a poem to them they start to get emotional: “ ‘ I-I,’ sobbed Mrs.Phelps ‘don’t know don’t know’...Mrs. Bowles stood up, ‘You see?’ “(129). Undoubtedly, Mrs, Phelps unknowingly experiences emotional satisfaction for the first time, since her life lacks the comprehension of such feelings. However, books are misconstrued as something harmful due to the constant censorship by the government. In reality, these women are filling a void which was not present in their impractical lives that comprised of multiple loveless marriages and television screens. Similarly, Mildred fails to resonate with Montag when he conveys that books may be the answer to their emptiness: “ ‘God Millie don’t you see ?’...Mildred snatched the phone ‘Yes the white clown is on t.v.’ ”(102). Instead of supporting Montag’s statement, she decides to give t.v. more importance because it provides her with this temporary sense of satisfaction. Whereas, books cannot satisfy this need for instant pleasure ; therefore it is not of benefit to Mildred, consequently, she chooses to dismiss Montag’s statement regarding books completely. In the same way, many fail to grasp the importance of books despite the exposure to its content.Although, Beatty harbor’s knowledge

This indicates why suicide becomes a common solution for many in Bradbury’s novel. For instance, when special M.D’s arrive at Montag’s house because of Mildred’s overdose on sleeping pills. One of the M.D’s mentions: “ We get these cases nine or ten a night. Got so many, starting a few years ago” (45). This pattern reveals that many citizens are experiencing melancholy. Neither do these individuals understand the reason behind this nor do they make an effort to get rid of this hollow feeling. These citizens are denied the privilege to express their individuality because of the government eliminating the right to read and the right for citizens to converse on their opinions; all for the purpose of maintaining equality in society. Unique to this situation, Beatty himself is revealed to have become conflicted internally between what is right and wrong, due to the government’s influence. To clarify, Montag believes Beatty mocked him intentionally to the extent that Montag would resort to murder: “Beatty had wanted to die. He had just stood there, not really trying to save himself” (148). In other words, Beatty himself is infatuated by books and the satisfaction brought by them. Unfortunately, he is torn between this ideology that books will stimulate the brain and form intellectuals; which can result in individuals feeling inferior over others due to their