Friday, August 5, 2011

Fahrenheit 451 - Question 3

What universal themes does this book address?

Fahrenheit 451 is a story that portrays many different themes. This book would definitely be banned in the futuristic world it was written in. The book takes place in a world that has strict rules and regulations, but it never really seemed like there were police on every corner to enforce the laws. Since books and technology were illegal, people had no source of free thinking and idealism. They didn't have to be told to follow the rules, because that was just what everyone did. They did that just so that they were all the same and to fit into society. The idea of being an individual and to stick out was not even thought of as a good idea.

I believe that everyone in the story was really unhappy. Sure, sitting around and watching t.v. all day sounds great to you, but that was all those people did. Television gave them a false idea of what happiness really was, and it left all of them unsatisfied. However, none of them wanted to admit it, so nothing ever changed. They really didn't know any different and never wanted to change anything. They just lived every day unsatisfied, until Guy realized that there was something he could do about it. He took the first step and he changed his life forever.

Because of that lack of satisfaction felt by the people, they all needed an outlet. Violence was their outlet, and a theme in the book. The story talked about teenagers going around and killing each other. That really does happen today, and it is an outlet for some kids. It really is not okay though. Like at all. And where did all of those people get the idea to get in a car and drive really, really fast or go out and kill someone? You guessed it, t.v. This t.v. thing is really turning out to be problematic. Their sole source of entertainment was filled with violence, and when you get all of your ideas from t.v., what else can you expect to happen.

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Ballantine, 1953. Print.

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