Why are thoughts important? Where do thoughts originate? Thoughts come from past experiences, past knowledge and beliefs which lead to outwardly actions. Through Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury conveys how thoughts, technology, pressure, intellect and even hope are closely linked together.
Aliens, spaceships, robots, technology, alternative possibilities, futuristic settings are a few things that come to mind when one thinks science fiction. Fahrenheit 451 is an intriguing book which gets the reader’s attention through many of these science fiction elements. Wayne Johnson examines a few of these elements in “Machineries of Joy and Sorrow: Rockets, Time Machines, Robots, Man vs. Machine, Orwellian Tales, and Fahrenheit 451.” Johnson takes a closer look at how machines play an important role in Fahrenheit 451. In Fahrenheit 451 the machines which were created to make one’s life easier and more comfortable actually became harmful to the unknowing society. The technology, which was first viewed as a comfort began to repulse Montag, the main character. Johnson explained how the flame throwing equipment Montag used in the beginning of his career as a fireman's life was a comfort to him but eventually repels Montag. The equipment they used to save people from overdoses became repulsive to Montag. The technological advancement of the society began to turn the people into “listless zombies”. Through the use of science fiction Fahrenheit 451 conveys a much more important theme as stated by Johnson, “robots represent the ultimate heart of the scientific conceit, wherein man’s knowledge of the universe becomes so great that he is able to play God and create other men.” (Johnson 1) Through this science fiction novel, readers are left pondering is this fiction or is man already