Who Is Distracted In Fahrenheit 451

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The definition of distraction can be identified as the extreme agitation of the mind or emotions. Throughout Fahrenheit 451, distraction has made its mark everywhere, capturing the attention of society. From the use of technology, people's minds are corroded by the entertainment systems. In the novel, the protagonist, Montag, has to face trials of conformity and distraction to gain freedom and knowledge. Along Montag's way, he bumps into a girl named Clarisse, who is quirky and knowledgeable. This leads Montag to question his life and start to escape distraction and be conformed to society. The conflict in the novel is Man vs Society as well as Man vs Self, as Montag has to learn and break free from his old self. In Fahrenheit 451, a dystopian …show more content…

To start with, Ray Bradbury utilizes the characterization of Montag who wants to escape the distraction and conformity of society. Montag who sees the uniqueness of the girl Clarisse starts to form his individuality. Montag questions many things in life as he tells his wife Mildred, “ We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long was it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?” Bradbury portrays Montag as someone who is beginning to become aware of what is around him. During the course of meeting with Clarrise he finds different things in his life that he never knew were there. Montag is realizing how distraction is …show more content…

Granger, who meets Montag later, develops an understanding of where he comes from as they both burn and read books. Granger teaches Montag about society through his opinions as he says, “But you can’t make people listen. They have to come around in their own time, wondering what happened and why the world blew up around them.” Granger says this to Montag to show him how a society that doesn’t think can’t realize and question things before catastrophes happen. He shows Montag how people don’t think unless told and listen unless forced. Bradbury uses this to develop how people have to have curiosity and mindfulness to understand the world around them. Bradbury wants people to not be biased and search for knowledge when it's there for people to learn for free. Granger, who is part of a group called the intellectuals, wants to live life to the fullest with nothing attached as he says, “Stuff your eyes with wonder… live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.” Granger says this to Montag to show him to not worry about what people think of him and live his life. He wants to show how beautiful the world can be if people realize and wake up from distractions. Montag who has learned many things finally starts to gain independence and think openly. Bradbury portrays this to show how it is better to live in the present and not get