Fahrenheit 451: There Is No Freedom Without Speech

The American culture is known to function as “The land of the free”. A land where it is possible for adjustment when it seems needed by the people. In Fahrenheit 451 It seems that it is embedded in the heads of Americans, that the outcome of tasks citizens want to achieve are more attainable if stuck to the program, and adapt America's cultural and social norms. Nevertheless, there is no room for an impactive change without conflict. Ray Bradburry in “Fahrenheit 451”, displays this compatibility of free speech creating an open door for a better lifestyle; with the main character, Guy Montag. Montag becomes committed to this illiterate and nieve lifestyle , basically expected from society. Through dreadful courses and an eye opening conversation with Clarisse (a neighborhood encounter), Montag reveals that he feels unsatisfied with the milk and water world around him. With the urgency in thought, it galvanized Montag into taking action to change for the better. Ray Bradbury illustrates that if people do not absorb their freedom of speech, a society is only doomed to deteriorate itself, and get taken advantage of by others.

The government in Fahrenheit 451 has spoonfed and brainwashed the civilians. A city of people who live with what they are told with no understanding of who, why, what or when. Metaphorically,the government basically puts foggy goggles on the people to filter what they see, ensuring minimal thought to the fibs they have installed in the civilians minds. The government knew this would also establish everyone to be unsympathetic to each other. This lack of attention entertains them, as the government creates an uneducated controlling system. “ If you don't want a house built, hide the nails and wood. If you don't want a man to be unhappy politically, don't give him to sides to a question to worry him; give him one. Better yet, give him none.”(Bradburry 89). Captain Beatty exploits to Montag as another reason why books belong in the fire. Government officials and firemen have been basically trained to use censorship to maintain the citizens. By annihilating any contact and or aspects on the topic, forcing people to only perceive information through the television. With no information to explain with, Beatty just plain out says “Not having to worry about two sides of the story will make people happier.” Though it should be noted that throughout the story it becomes obvious that the population is not particularly happy with this limited lifestyle, including no freedom of speech. With this guillibille society the government has completely trampled over them and has them right where they want them.

Despite Montags new unusual outburst of rebellion, he was not the one who truly engaged his behavior. Ray Bradburry uses Clarisse Mccallen to ignite Montag's aspect.Clarisse, a neighborhood encounter to Montag, is a young 17 year old girl, with no filter or anything holding her back. She views the government as it truly is, a lying system. She engages conversation with Montag with a series of rapid fire questions, that truly display her true colors. While Montag retorts that she “thinks too much”, it is obvious that her thought process ignites something in Montag. “I’m antisocial they say. I don’t mix. It’s so strange. I am very social indeed. It all depends on what you mean by social, doesn't it? Social to me means talking to you about things like this.”(Bradburry 18). It becomes evident that Clarisse is a pretty wise kid for her age of seventeen. Illustrating that she finds a strong need for things such as freedom of speech. She defines quite everything and finds definition to everything; as well as growing strong opinions and believes what she wants to believe. Her unorthodox lifestyle sets her apart from the screen-addicted world she breathes in. It becomes transparent that Clarrise understands this life she lives must change. She can not go on in a world where she can’t express the atrocious mold they must stick to. With an unexpected death from a car crash, and her brief appearance in the novel, her death is what truly spun Montag into self realization.iIntriguing him to investigate.

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It may be considered that when freedom of speech is taken away, it will eliminate any other possibilities of doubt and/or question in a person. Which is reasonable, if one understands the consequences to extending thought, it will control the population into a maintained society. Some see this way of life beneficial. If only one person is allowed to control and take charge of important decisions, it allows people to dedicate more time to other things occurring in ones life. It is also mentionable that freedom of speech may cause false information to spread and occur among the people, can cause an uprising of violence among everyone, and may negatively impact the desire to compromise.

It may be considered that when freedom of speech is taken away, it will eliminate any other possibilities of doubt and/or question in a person. Which is reasonable, if one understands the consequences to extending thought, it will control the population into a maintained society. Some see this way of life beneficial. If only one person is allowed to control and take charge of important decisions, it allows people to dedicate more time to other things occurring in ones life. It is also mentionable that freedom of speech may cause false information to spread and occur among the people, can cause an uprising of violence among everyone, and may negatively impact the desire to compromise.

Though it should be considered prominent, if freedom of speech was eliminated and allowed the people more free time, isn't it too obvious that the citizens may adopt that time to concentrate on why they can't think freely, or basically disagree with what they are taught? Such as Montag in this book. Once allowed time to think about his surroundings, look how he spiraled. In addition, if one person is thinking it he or she can not be the only one, the groups of people who think alike may clearly express their ideas to opposing sides, and fall in agreement somewhere.

As expressed through this paper it is distinct that Ray Bradburry advocates that freedom of speech is neither a want, a privilege or a thought. It is a right and a need to stabilize the world. Though a very expensive right, this ability has saved the lives of many in multiple ways. Ray Bradburry campaigns freedom of speech for the sake of others that can’t.