Fahrenheit 451
Uploaded by funkthisbro on Feb 21, 2012
Many people fail to see the application of censorship and the impact of it in their own lives and in our society. Giving into conformity discourages the type of independence that is valued in a supposedly free thinking world. Censorship is one of the major themes in Fahrenheit 451, and its impact is illustrated through obedience in appearance, behavior, and thought. This shows a clear relationships between Ray Bradbury‘s novel and our current society today.
The association between appearance and social acceptance is already apparent in our lives. In order to achieve societal norm we wish to look and act like our peers, and as a result censorship in appearance has become a common example of submission today. In Fahrenheit 451, Montag realizes that a major part of being socially accepted as a fireman is to conform through appearance. Montag observes this fact while there are countless examples of conformity through appearance in our society. The belief that physical beauty is more valuable than intelligence is a very common habit throughout the world, especially in schools. As a result, we often conform to accept standards of appearance rather than focusing on the value of one’s gifts and talents. There is a relationship from our own society, and to the world in Fahrenheit 451, conformity in appearance is common between them.
Conformity in behavior is another example of submission found in our culture today. However, in Fahrenheit 451, Beatty describes conformity as a positive aspect of society, he argues that conformity in behavior prevents violence and jealousy by restricting the gifted and talented people from their ability to excel, which is good, because others won‘t feel bad. However, the real problem in the situation, Beatty describes, is not the very smart people, but the group of people of those who submit to it. Unfortunately, this very situation occurs repeatedly in our society today. “We must all be alike. Not everyone born free and equal, as the constitution says, but everyone made equal... A book is a loaded gun in the house next door. Burn it. Take the shot from the weapon. Breach man’s mind.” Captain Beatty told this to Montag in his home. It shows that Beatty wants people to be all alike. People who choose not to conform may be...