Theme Analysis of Fahrenheit 451 Essay Example
The Harms of Meaningless Entertainment
Entertainment that does not require the viewer to think may seem harmless, but it actually poses a great threat. In Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451, society has converted into one where personality and individuality are suppressed and the majority of the people have chosen to conform with the rest of society in order to avoid discontent, and this conformity has enabled the government to assume complete control, posing a dilemma to Montag because he has to choose whether to rebel against society or conform with everyone else. People to become easily manipulated as they cease to care about abstract concepts and politics, and instead focus on events that happen immediately, such as the stories on TV. Also, living in a society that forces people to conform often leads to frustration for people who do not agree with the society’s values. In particular, Montag faces a dilemma of whether or not he should rebel against society, because although he disagrees with the mass conformity, he doubts it would be possible to make a difference.
Montag’s frustrations and personal dilemmas stem from the mindless and meaningless society in which he lives, and these dilemmas are a problem common with people who do not conform with society. This automation and emotionless behavior is seen when the hospital technician attending to an overdosed Mildred says, “Hell! ... We get these cases nine or ten night. Got so many... we had the special machines built” (Bradbury 15). The rising rate in suicides can be attributed almost entirely in people realizing what meaningless lives they lead. The lack of individuality in this society, combined with a lack of purpose for the common citizen, inspires people to take their own lives. Mildred exemplifies this apathetic behavior when she is questioned by Montage about Clarisse, “No. The same girl. McClellan. McClellan. Run over by a car. Four days ago. I’m not sure. But I think she’s dead. The family moved
Entertainment that does not require the viewer to think may seem harmless, but it actually poses a great threat. In Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451, society has converted into one where personality and individuality are suppressed and the majority of the people have chosen to conform with the rest of society in order to avoid discontent, and this conformity has enabled the government to assume complete control, posing a dilemma to Montag because he has to choose whether to rebel against society or conform with everyone else. People to become easily manipulated as they cease to care about abstract concepts and politics, and instead focus on events that happen immediately, such as the stories on TV. Also, living in a society that forces people to conform often leads to frustration for people who do not agree with the society’s values. In particular, Montag faces a dilemma of whether or not he should rebel against society, because although he disagrees with the mass conformity, he doubts it would be possible to make a difference.
Montag’s frustrations and personal dilemmas stem from the mindless and meaningless society in which he lives, and these dilemmas are a problem common with people who do not conform with society. This automation and emotionless behavior is seen when the hospital technician attending to an overdosed Mildred says, “Hell! ... We get these cases nine or ten night. Got so many... we had the special machines built” (Bradbury 15). The rising rate in suicides can be attributed almost entirely in people realizing what meaningless lives they lead. The lack of individuality in this society, combined with a lack of purpose for the common citizen, inspires people to take their own lives. Mildred exemplifies this apathetic behavior when she is questioned by Montage about Clarisse, “No. The same girl. McClellan. McClellan. Run over by a car. Four days ago. I’m not sure. But I think she’s dead. The family moved