Based on the 1951, Ray Bradbury novel Montag is a fireman that lives in a lonely, society where books were banned by the government fearing oneself thinking. In this society firefighters have to burn any books on sight or that people inform them of because they believe it gives people more time to think for themselves. Many people in this society including Montag's wife are drugged into submissiveness and get their information from television screens that are about a length of a wall. Montag meets Clarisse, a 17-year-old girl that likes to challenge society and wants to know more and essentially reads books. Montag got “attracted”/ “motivated” by her that he began to read seized books. Through this relationship, Montag became curious and began to question the government about why they had to burn the books. Montag soon found out, and he must decide whether to return to his job or run away knowing the consequences that he could face if captured. Ray Bradbury develops the theme that of the conflict between freedom of thought and censorship. The society that Bradbury depicts has voluntarily given up books and reading, and the people do not feel oppressed or censored through flashbacks, conflict, and figurative language.
Flashback develops the theme by showing us the censorship they had to go through. Mildred Symbol Flashback Imagery, this quote refers to Montag and Faber's plan of planting books in firefighters’ houses. In this society, if books are reported to be at someone's house, then the house has to be burned down by firefighters. Ray compares an animal killing itself to firefighters burning down their own houses
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Conflict develops the theme by showing us how lost they are from themselves not knowing what the “real world” is really like. In these quotes, there are references made to mirrors. Mirrors are shown throughout the book to stress the need for them to examine themself and to become self-aware in this society. Since people don’t think, they know who they really are. In addition, since people cant technically think, they can’t realize that their society isn't normal/unhappy. Mirrors like Clarisse or the firefighters made Montag realize the truth about his society. Mirrors were consequently mentioned throughout the book to put importance on the need for society to see and change itself. Montag encounters Clarisse but then goes back home. She had questioned Montag's happiness. So, he keeps the question in mind. He goes to his bedroom and it’s really dark. Therefore, realizing that he is not happy after thinking for so long that he is happy. 'Darkness. He was not happy. He was not happy. He said the words to himself. He recognized this as the true state of affairs (Bradbury12). Montag rode on the subway, then remembers his childhood memory of himself sitting on a yellow dune and pouring sand through a sieve near the sea. In this memory, the sand represents comprehension and the sieve represents the mind. Ray uses this memory of Montag pouring sand through a sieve representing that when knowledge is directly poured into the mind, the mind can’t hold the knowledge.
Figurative language develops the theme by letting us know through two different perspectives on their society. Ray uses Montag's wife to represent society and uses Clarisse to show the contrast of society. Mildred represents society by being preoccupied with mindless entertainment that is shown to her through the television walls. Though, Claisse represents the opposite of society by enjoying real-life experiences such as exploring nature. Ray places Montag's interconnection with Mildred right before Montag's interaction with Clarisse to stress the difference between being obsessed with entertainment and gaining real-life experience. What was stated above is a major theme in Fahrenheit 451 because it shows an obsession with materialism and entertainment versus real-life connections and experience. Ray compares the books to a burning flying pigeon. This shows us how bad it is because he is comparing it to a living creature. Montag realizes how bad his job as a “firefighter is”.
In short, Ray Bradbury develops the theme that of the conflict between freedom of thought and censorship. The society that Bradbury depicts has voluntarily given up books and reading, and by and large, the people do not feel oppressed or censored through flashbacks, conflict, and figurative language.
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