Examples Of Dystopia In Fahrenheit 451

A dystopia is defined as an imagined place or state where everything is unpleasant or sad. This is definitely how you could describe the world in Fahrenheit 451. In Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, there are a lot of things missing in order to build a successful society. An older man named Faber, a character in this particular story, has narrowed it down to three: quality, leisure, and the right to take action. Number one: quality of information. Books tell stories and play with the emotions of the reader. They have texture and tell what is going on inside a person’s mind. They are afraid of books because it shows a human like quality and they only want an expressionless face. They want to be lied to and don't want to face their problems
People in the world of Fahrenheit 451 aren't excited when reading books especially because it isn't real to them. They need dimension, but for books, the only dimension you need is in your mind. In their mind, why would you imagine something that isn't real when you can actually see a show on the television immediately. Television shows tell you what to think while books make you actually think.“‘Will you please turn the parlour off?’ he asked. ‘That’s my family.’” (page 49) Mildred is so hung up on her “family” that she won't turn the television off for her own sick husband. She is more concerned about pleasing her artificial family than she is her own family. On pages 94 to 98, Montag reads a poem called “Dover Beach” to his wife’s friends. They were intrigued at first, but then became frightened and called him crazy.On page 94, one of Mildred’s friends, Mrs. Bowles, claimed, “As for poetry, I hate it.” She does not even know what poetry is because she has never heard it. She has been told to think that she hates it from the television. Another one of her friends, Mrs. Phelps, was very attentive to Montag reading to them. On page 94, she said, “Why don't you just read us one of those poems from your literature book… I think that’d be very interesting.” She has a more optimistic point of view than the other ladies because she gave his poetry a chance. On page 97, Mrs. Phelps starts to cry and she does not know why. Because the poetry wasn't immediate
Once again, the television rules the society in the world of Fahrenheit 451, meaning that the television tells them what to think. No one in that society thinks, acts, or does anything on their own. Everyone is brainwashed. They are guided by a television telling them how to live their life. They have no agency whatsoever and don't even have control over their own mind. “If you hide your ignorance, no one will hit you and you'll never learn.” Mildred is clearly ignorant about the real meaning of books and can't act for herself. The world of Fahrenheit 451 is corrupted of knowledge and that is affecting their lives in a negative way. “Stuff your eyes with wonder, he said, 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.” The people in Fahrenheit 451 aren't taking advantage of the wonders of the world because they are being told how to feel and what to do. The people in Fahrenheit 451 don't get to experience the element of books. They are missing out on the quality of information, the excitement of books, and the ability to decide for themselves. Our society is utilizing books less now because of the increase of technology, but at least we still acknowledge them. I see books more often in the educational system. Books definitely tell us a lot about ourselves, others, and the world around us. Without them, we would be lost in a brainwashed