University:
Oakland University
Course:
ENG 369 | The English Novel
Academic year:

2020
Views:

217

Pages:

2
Author:

Kevin Riddle

Willful Ignorance in Fahrenheit 451 Understanding the incredible wealth of knowledge that has been written throughout human history could appear to be an insurmountable task. The dystopian future of Fahrenheit 451 examines a world in which society has abandoned the task entirely and enforces its drive for a world devoid of advanced thought. Society has opted instead for mindless entertainment provided by its innovative technology. The theme of willful ignorance is clear throughout the novel Fahrenheit 451. The theme of willful ignorance is immediately observable when Beatty and Montag converse during his day off. Beatty says, “life is immediate, the job counts, pleasure lies all about after work. Why learn anything save pressing buttons, pulling levers, fixing nuts and bolts”(Bradbury 53-54). Sensing Montag’s growing curiosity about literature, Beatty reminds him of the state of society. Fearing the implications contained within many books, masses across the country surrendered its complex people and lifestyles in favor of lives devoid of any satisfaction. With people no longer focused on intellectual thought, all that remains in the lives of people are work and a symphony of stimuli to numb the brain to the outside world. This condition allowed the government to capitalize and seize even greater control over people's lives. The people willfully surrendered their rights for lives operated solely by ignorance and mindless pleasure. Reducing themselves to a more ignorant and unconscious experience, the public’s minds are no longer capable of any more than Beatty says. Press buttons, turn levers, turn on seashells, turn off the mind. The theme of willful ignorance represents the origin of all conflicts in the book. The theme of willful ignorance continues through to the later sections as well. In the scene where Millie’s friends visit her and Montag’s house, Mrs. Bowles mentions politics, saying, “I voted last election, same as everyone else, and I laid it on the line for President Noble. I think he’s the best looking man to [have} ever [become] president”(Bradbury 96). Wishing to involve Montag in their conversation, Bowles reveals who she voted for. The women all say they voted for Noble because he is much more attractive than the alternative, who they couldn’t understand or didn’t listen to. This shows their unwillingness to invest any thought in politics, instead opting to use shallow qualities to decide. This scene gives insight into how the government can maintain the ignorant people while oppressing and exploiting them. It is easy for a man whose intentions are completely unknown to be elected because no one has the will to investigate the actual politics. Without the want of knowledge, it is possible for the government to take actions without backlash. The political ruin brought by the public’s willful ignorance continues to supply the conflict of the novel. Ignorance can be a horrible curse upon a society. Even more tragic is ignorance brought upon one’s self willingly. Fahrenheit 451 offers a cautionary tale that illuminates the dangers that accompany a refusal of knowledge by instating the theme of willful ignorance as the chief antagonistic force behind the entire novel. Examining the willful ignorance of Fahrenheit 451 provides an opportunity to gaze into the importance of knowledge in a healthy and free society.

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