Fahrenheit 451 Critical Essay
Lintang Syuhada
13150024
Book Report 1
Fahrenheit 451 Critical Essay
Human beings are naturally curious. We are always in search of better ideas, and new solutions to problems. One of a basic idea of Indonesia has been freedom of thinking and a free flow of ideas. But in some societies, governments try to keep their people ignorant. Usually, this is so governments can keep people under control and hold on to their power. In trying to keep people from the realities of the world, these oppressive governments can end up damaging or even destroying their society.
The protagonist of Fahrenheit 451 is Guy Montag, who has spent his life in a state of ignorance, like most people in his society. In fact, he works as a fireman, a feared member of the government whose main job is to burn books.
“It’s fine work,” Montag explains. “Monday burn Millay, Wednesday Whitaman, Friday Faulkner, burn ‘em to ashes, then burn the ashes. That’s our official slogan.” (Bradbury 9)
Books are outlawed in this society, and TV and news are monitored. The government keeps the people distracted with parlor walls. These are television screens built into walls that broadcast mindless entertainment. In the beginning of the novel, it seems that all in the society is under control. Montag, after ten years working for the government, has never questioned or even thought about why books are banned. He accepts his life and the work he does every day.
It changes one night when he unexpectedly meets Clarisse McClellan, a girl who says that she is “crazy” from a “peculiar” family. As they walk home together, Clarisse asks Montag about being a fireman. At first, he laughs at her questions, like when she asks why has never read a book.
“That’s against the law!” he laughs.
She keeps asking him questions.
“You think too many thoughts,” Montag says.
But being with Clarisse has disturbed Montag.
When she leaves him, she shouts, “Are you happy?”
“Am I what?” he cries. (Bradbury 10)
This scene shows how
13150024
Book Report 1
Fahrenheit 451 Critical Essay
Human beings are naturally curious. We are always in search of better ideas, and new solutions to problems. One of a basic idea of Indonesia has been freedom of thinking and a free flow of ideas. But in some societies, governments try to keep their people ignorant. Usually, this is so governments can keep people under control and hold on to their power. In trying to keep people from the realities of the world, these oppressive governments can end up damaging or even destroying their society.
The protagonist of Fahrenheit 451 is Guy Montag, who has spent his life in a state of ignorance, like most people in his society. In fact, he works as a fireman, a feared member of the government whose main job is to burn books.
“It’s fine work,” Montag explains. “Monday burn Millay, Wednesday Whitaman, Friday Faulkner, burn ‘em to ashes, then burn the ashes. That’s our official slogan.” (Bradbury 9)
Books are outlawed in this society, and TV and news are monitored. The government keeps the people distracted with parlor walls. These are television screens built into walls that broadcast mindless entertainment. In the beginning of the novel, it seems that all in the society is under control. Montag, after ten years working for the government, has never questioned or even thought about why books are banned. He accepts his life and the work he does every day.
It changes one night when he unexpectedly meets Clarisse McClellan, a girl who says that she is “crazy” from a “peculiar” family. As they walk home together, Clarisse asks Montag about being a fireman. At first, he laughs at her questions, like when she asks why has never read a book.
“That’s against the law!” he laughs.
She keeps asking him questions.
“You think too many thoughts,” Montag says.
But being with Clarisse has disturbed Montag.
When she leaves him, she shouts, “Are you happy?”
“Am I what?” he cries. (Bradbury 10)
This scene shows how