Importance of Books in "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury

Categories: Dystopia

In the literary work Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, the reader is introduced to us that Knowledge is a dangerous thing. In the short story the author shows us that books are dangerous, but according to F451, books are important because they record humanity’s accomplishments and mistakes. In the beginning of the story, the main character is a man named Montag who was a fireman. All firemen wear the uniforms with the number '451' because it refers to the temperature in Fahrenheit at which books burn.

He married a woman named Mildred, but they have no children. They don’t really know each other and they don’t remember where they first met. Montag, in his belief that knowledge reigns, fights against a society that embraces and celebrates ignorance.

The similarities between knowledge and ignorance is that people both use it as the same thing. The difference between knowledge and ignorance is the fireman's responsibility to burn books, and therefore destroy knowledge.

Get quality help now
Writer Lyla
Writer Lyla
checked Verified writer
star star star star 5 (876)

“ Have been using her for a while and please believe when I tell you, she never fail. Thanks Writer Lyla you are indeed awesome ”

avatar avatar avatar
+84 relevant experts are online
Hire writer

Through these actions, the firemen promote ignorance to maintain the sameness of society. After befriending Clarisse, Montag finds himself unable to accept the status quo, believing life is more complete, true and satisfying when knowledge is welcomed into it. After making this discovery, Montag fights against ignorance, trying to help others welcome knowledge into their lives. For example, when his wife's friends come over, he forces them to listen to poetry. Although they become extremely upset after listening to what he reads, they are able to experience true emotion.

Get to Know The Price Estimate For Your Paper
Topic
Number of pages
Email Invalid email

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

"You must agree to out terms of services and privacy policy"
Write my paper

You won’t be charged yet!

In Montag's view, this emotion will give these women a fuller and more satisfying life.

In Fahrenheit 451 presents the idea that society that burns books and outlaws reading is a world that has chosen extreme censorship and results in the character’s struggle to find happiness and true connection. In the book, Bradbury doesn't give a clear explanation of why censorship has become so great in this futuristic society.Ray Bradbury argues that through the actions of the characters in Fahrenheit 451, that censorship is not beneficial to society. Censorship occurs in a variety of different media, including speech, books, music, films, and other arts, the press, radio, television, and the Internet. A lot of people use censorship and some don’t like using censorship. Censorship is when an authority such as a government or religion cuts out or suppresses communication.

The main characters teach us that we don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them, but not by burning them. Relate the events and the trends to Montag’s society to society today. Understanding what happens to Mildred passing out because of having overdosed on thirty plus sleeping pills makes me realize that being overdosed coulda kill you. The story raises a question “ Why are we burning books?”. Why were they burning books, but they should've tried to combine ideas to make people stop reading instead of burning books and people that are reading them. It is not right to burn people that are reading burns and the book itself, because some people will understand if you convince them to stop reading in another way. If we keep burning books that will never make people stop reading, they will keep reading.

By comparing myself to Mildred, I learned that I should stop drinking too much pills. I might get overdosed and end up just like her. The difference between the two themes of the book which is knowledge and ignorance are important because Montag, Faber, and Beatty's struggle revolves around the tension between knowledge and ignorance. The fireman's duty is to destroy knowledge and promote ignorance in order to equalize the population and promote sameness. The central theme of Fahrenheit 451 is the conflict between freedom of thought and censorship. The shared attributes of freedom of thought and censorship help us understand the society that Bradbury depicts has voluntarily given up books and reading, and by and large the people do not feel oppressed or censored.

Updated: Nov 01, 2022
Cite this page

Importance of Books in "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury. (2021, Mar 01). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/importance-of-books-in-fahrenheit-451-by-ray-bradbury-essay

Importance of Books in "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury essay
Live chat  with support 24/7

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

get help with your assignment