Examples Of Censorship In Fahrenheit 451

Using Censorship as Control

“‘A book is a loaded gun in the house next door. Burn it. Take the shot from the weapon’” (Bradbury, 58). Ray Bradbury’s dystopian novel, Fahrenheit 451, depicts a controlling government that deprives society of knowledge and censors ideas that may cause rebellion. Firemen burn books instead of putting out fires and the schools have television classes instead of academic ones. In the aforementioned quote, fireman Captain Beatty had been giving a speech on how society had transformed from intellectuals and critics to runners, tinkerers, and snatchers. In Fahrenheit 451, the intensity of censorship as a means of control enforces conformity amongst the citizens, which demonstrates Bradbury’s fears about a society that

After Mildred’s two friends, Mrs. Bowles and Mrs. Phelps, get asked by Montag about their children, they start elucidating how much of a nuisance kids are. They indicate that the way they raise their children is by “‘heav[ing] them into the ‘parlor’ and turn[ing] the switch. It’s like washing clothes: stuff laundry in and slam the lid’” (Bradbury, 96). Mrs. Bowles explains how her children go to boarding school and only come home three days a month. When they do, she ‘“heave[s] them into the ‘parlor’ and turn[s] the switch,’” then goes about her business. She clearly pays no attention nor puts any thought into raising them. This reveals how the uniformity among members in this society has eliminated any originality, and inhibits the progression within the way they live their lives. When Mrs. Bowles says “‘It’s like washing clothes: stuff laundry in and slam the lid,’” she illustrates her disregard for her children, and how she is unable to think to do anything besides sit them in front of the television. Shortly after, Mrs. Bowles and Mrs. Phelps also talk about the latest election. Mrs. Bowles discusses that she “‘voted last election, same as everyone, and [she] laid it on the line for President Noble. [She] think[s] he’s one of the nicest-looking men ever became president’” (Bradbury, 96). Her chosen candidate had nothing to do with how well he would lead the society, nor how much of a campaign he put up. Instead, it is because “‘[she] think[s] he’s one of the nicest-looking men.’” This exemplifies the lack of knowledge and improvement within this society. Conformity and obedience to the government forces suppression of intellectual traits and instead encourages the expression of vain and superficial actions. In other words, the repression of creativity and originality has led to a monotonous society where trivial and