Fahrenheit 451 Censorship Quotes

In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury tells the story of Guy Montag as he navigates an oppressive society that seeks to eradicate any source of complex thought. Although it may seem natural to place the blame solely on the government, the novel also depicts how individuals within the society contribute to the problem. Throughout the book, readers are exposed to various reactions to said censorship from characters such as Clarisse, Mildred, Beatty, and Faber. Though he never outright mentions it, it is clear that Bradbury has a very strong opinion on the dangers of censorship. Fahrenheit 451 is a cautionary tale that explores how relationships amongst family, friends, and neighbors are manipulated when a powerful majority enforces conformity of thought

State-imposed censorship is shown to enable constant surveillance on its people. One of the earliest examples is seen through the use of the Mechanical Hound, a robotic dog that aids the firemen in tracking down criminals hiding books, “‘It [The Hound] doesn’t like or dislike. It just functions…It targets itself, homes itself, and cuts off.’” (Bradbury 24). This one quote is crucial to understanding the main role of mechanical technology in the society of Fahrenheit 451. As Captain Beatty explains, the Hound was purposefully designed without the ability to experience emotions, making it the ideal tool for government purposes. Emotional detachment gives the bot a distinct advantage, ensuring that targets will always face an unfeeling prosecutor, without any chance of being shown mercy. The fact that it can both "target" and "home" in on individuals proves that technology is being used to monitor people. Likewise, its ability to "cut off" means that it can also be used to silence those who are deemed a threat. A second example, the televisors, is used for destructive purposes and to enforce propaganda. The device is said to be “real”, “immediate”, and having “dimension”. (Bradbury 80). The televisor is designed to be captivating; it broadcasts mind-numbing entertainment and propaganda that many people unknowingly submit themselves to. The government uses the device to control what information citizens receive and what they believe, effectively limiting their access to knowledge and critical thinking. The words “real” and “immediate” both imply that the source of information comes off as unquestionably correct, making it much harder for people to stand against or even begin to think critically about it. Overall, the hound and the televisor serve as