Analysis of “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451, which was written by Ray Bradbury, is a dystopian novel that explores the consequences of superficiality and knowledge. This story attracted me because I am interested in learning how society would be different if seeking out awareness was publishable. A positive aspect of this book is that it proposes a scenario in which everyone is in the mindset of every man for himself, therefore envisioning a cruel and dystopian world. According to Bradbury, his book is a warning. It is a reminder that what we have is valuable sometimes we take that value for granted. (Bradbury, Page xi) Something which I found negative about Fahrenheit 451 was that at times I found the story too fast paced and hard to follow. The author who wrote the book still presents an insightful scenario.

The main character, who is a man, can be seen as both the protagonist and antagonist. Montag shot one continuous pulse of liquid fire on him (Bradbury, Page 113), demonstrates the protagonist side of Montag by showing that he was tired of punishing people for reading, so he killed his boss by burning him. Montag wanted to comprehend books even though it was against his job It was a pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, things blackened and changed (Bradbury, Page 1) shows the satisfaction Montag receives from going to people's homes and burning them down for reading books. Although Montag didn't understand why, he would burn people's books.

Writing gives us a warning about our future. Especially when the subject is a dystopian world with many correlations to our own. The story focuses on Guy Montag, Faber, Mildred, Clarisse, and Beatty living in a futuristic United States. The rising action occurs when Montag snatches a Bible and looks to Faber, an old English professor, for help in understanding books. The climax happens when Montag kills his boss and escapes into the forest in search of book lovers after a firefighter chase down. Scared for their lives, Montag and his group want to head back to their town. Montag loves his town but is afraid to return. He and his friend choose to go back even after the bombing.

The story takes place in the United States sometime in the future from the time the book was written. Montag, who is feeling alone, somehow still spreads knowledge to an ignorant society. This works well in the novel. Montage has a paramount purpose but he is despised by everyone.

Censoring creates peace and can be interpreted as the main theme of the novel. Colored people don't like Little Black Sambo. Burn it. White people don't feel good about Uncle Tom's Cabin. Burn it. Someone's written a book on tobacco and cancer of the lungs? The cigarette people are weeping? Burn the book . . . Serenity . . . Peace . . . (Bradbury, Page 57) Establishing the theme of a dystopian society, this text shows that people don't care about serious issues as long as there is peace. Apart from that, the secondary theme in the novel is letting technology take over your mind and life. Why they [the presidential candidates] were right in that parlor wall . . . One was always picking his nose . . .' (Bradbury, Page 93) and, 'I can't talk to my wife; she listens to the walls' (Bradbury, Page 78) show that the large television walls placed in everyone's home have influence over everything. Also to who they vote for in the presidential elections. Voting creates a Democratic based government system.

The primary conflict in the novel Fahrenheit 451 is that the main character, Montag, feels a clash between what society thinks and his interest in what the minority has to say. Clarisse, a girl who just met Montag on his way home from work, somehow still presents him with many inquiries and happenings in her life that go against what society thinks is acceptable; 'I rarely watch the 'parlor walls' . . . So I've got lots of time for crazy thoughts' (Bradbury, Page 7), 'Are you happy?' (Bradbury, Page 7), and 'Do you ever read any of the books you burn?' (Bradbury, Page 5) Also, when Montag goes to see Faber, he says, 'I stole it [a Bible]' and You're the only one who I knew might help me.' (Bradbury, Page 77) The conflict can be defined as remaining in ignorance vs. attaining knowledge. The resolution was Montag and his book-lover group returning to the city to build a new society. The man who burns books still leaves his town to start a new civilization. Montag who starts as the antagonist, but ends up being the protagonist in the novel.

The author who wrote the novel is trying to give us a glimpse into a world in which everyone is superficial, ignorant, and free thought is banned. Something I took out from Fahrenheit 451 is that everyone should always be able form their own unique mindset. Valuing knowledge causes people not to live in a culture that dehumanizes for being different. People have different interests in book; nevertheless, I would recommend this book to anyone. Futuristic in nature, it has the ability to warn us not to follow the same direction as the nation and people of the book. Ray Bradbury presents negative scenarios but tells a profound story in the end.

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