Individuality In Fahrenheit 451

In Ray Bradbury’s book Farenheit 451, it is illegal to own books, and society deems people who “think” and “question” unfit and those people are wanted by the government. In the novel, Bradbury ironically pictures firemen as a group of men who create fires, and the people who “think” and “question” are killed. In this book themes of conformity verses individuality, importance of remembering and understanding history, and freedom of speech and the consequences of losing it. These three thematic ideas are major factors that contributed to how the society’s everyday life is executed.

In the publication Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, the society in which main character Guy Montag lives in is basically a totalitarian government in which all citizens

From the beginning, the Fahrenheit 451 society has lack of knowledge for the past. This thematic idea is also introduced early. In the book on page 6 Clarisse asks Montag questions about the history of firemen. Page 6 states “ Is it true that long ago firemen put fires out instead of going to start them?” “No. Houses have always been fireproof, take my word for it”, Montag replies. Furthermore, on page 28, Clarrisse and Montag are talking again, and Clarisse says “My uncle says that a long time back sometimes pictures said things or showed people.” “Your uncle must be a remarkable man” replied Montag. Here Montag is becoming annoyed with Clarisse’s constant curiosity to gain knowledge about the past. In addition, on page 32, Montag learns the history of firemen, and how the occupation began. Pertaining to the theme remembering and understanding history, page 32 states “ Established, 1790, to burn English- influenced books in the colonies. First Fireman: Benjamin Franklin.” This quote is important to the theme of remembering and understanding history because Benjamin Franklin was the founder of the firemen, he wrote the rules and regulations for them, and established the