Dystopian Society in Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 is an example of a dystopian society. A dystopian society is futuristic illusion of a perfect society that is controlled by the government. At many occasions in the book it proves that it is a dystopian society that Montag lives in because of the context it consists of. Characteristics such as, Freedom, information, and personal thought is prohibitted, individual personality lost and looked down upon, and propaganda used to control the citizens, is present in the text of the book.

“It doesn't think anything we don't want it to think” (27). This is a quote where Beatty is telling Montag about the mechanical hound. This is an example of how it is a dystopian society because the hound is programmed to have no original thought or memory and is made to do a certain task instead of having it's own personality and choosing its motives. The mechanical hound represents a metaphor of Montag and other members of the society being changed because of technology and it results in them not being able to think for themselves and depending soley on what the TV says.

"They're faking. You threw them off at the river. They can't admit it. They know they can hold their audience only so long. The show's got to have a snap ending, quick... So they're sniffing for a scape-goat to end things with a bang." (148). This quote is when Granger is talking to Montag while Montag is being chased by the government for killing Beatty. It is an example of propaganda because the government uses the television and media to fake Montag's death when really he was still alive just running and hiding. So people would not lose their attention or begin to get curious the government chose a poor guy walking along the street and made it look like he was Montag and killed him. Also, the government did that because they did not want to seem weak or defeated by a civilian.

"Each man the image of every other; then all are happy, for there are no mountains to make them cower, to judge themselves against." (Page 58). This quote is an example of how the government wants everyone to be equal. However, equal isn't always good. Being equal depresses the idea of individuality and freedom to be yourself if equality is forced upon you. Which in this book equality is forced upon citizens of the society by the government. However it also shows that the government might be afraid of its citizens retaining information and using it to rise up and question the government.

These are just a few example of how Fahrenheit 451 is an example of a dystopian society. The quotes show how the government does not want the citizens to have freedom, be unique, or have personal thoughts about things. Also, it shows how the government does want complete control over its citizens and even uses propgaganda to gain that control.