Government In Fahrenheit 451

Throughout the novel Fahrenheit 451, civilians of a large American city are manipulated by fear from their government. In this alternate universe the government does not want civilians reading or thinking for themselves, thus books are burned and free time is minimized. Montag, the main character, is a fireman who burns books and the houses that the books are kept. The government wants its people to be active and happy in this society. Captain Beatty, the head fire chief, tells Montag “That's all we live for, isn't it? For pleasure, for titillation? And you must admit our culture provides plenty of these.” (Bradbury 56) When Captain Beatty shares this with Montag it shows that everybody is living for pleasure and titillation and nothing

Books are banned by the government because the government does not want the people to have their own ideas, making them easier to control. The people who gave into the government's control ridded themselves of their books but some keep their books. The people who keep their books are punished by the government if they are caught. Captain Beatty tells the firemen and Montag “Any man’s insane who thinks he can fool the government and us.” (Bradbury 31) This shows that anyone who does not obey by the rules will be punished. The people who get caught with books go off to insane asylums and their whole house is burnt with their books. “Lights flicked on and house doors opened all down the street to watch the carnival set up.” (Bradbury 107) The government wants people to watch what happens to people who own books because they gain fear of owning

Most if not all people are unhappy even if they say they are not. When Montag's wife Mildred Overdosed on drugs he called the hospital a man was sent over. The men saving Mildred said "We get these cases nine or ten a night. Got so many, starting a few years ago, we had the special machines built." (Bradbury 13) This shows that not only is Mildred unhappy but most people in this society are unhappy. Another source that shows that the people are unhappy is when Captain Beatty tells Montag “The important thing for you to remember, Montag, is we're the Happiness Boys. the Dixie Due, you and I and the others.” (Bradbury 59) Beatty shares this with montag to tell him that firemen bring happiness. The government want them to believe that because really the firemen are just burning and creating