For the Love of Books A quote from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury says that “... books are to remind us what asses and fools we are.” Ironically, Fahrenheit 451, whose main theme was the harming effects of censorship, was banned from some schools for using the word “hell” and “damn” and for using God’s name in vain in 1953. But it is this kind of gall and truth that students are deprived of when books are banned from schools. Other banned books include The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain for its racist language and themes, and Beloved by Toni Morrison for its sexual content, language, and discussion of bestiality. In every case though , rather than protecting the innocence of children and students, it denied them their first amendment right, their access to the lessons and themes of the world around them, and their tools to open their minds and expand their imaginations. It is for these reasons that “mature content” books, such as Fahrenheit 451, must remain in schools.
As most know, the United States Constitution gives all American citizens the right to freedom of expression. This means that Americans can voice their
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Their explicit content is a small detail in an otherwise big picture. Set in the deep south during a time when slavery was still prevalent The Adventures Huckleberry Finn would not be historically accurate if Mark Twain did not show the blatant racism of that era. The mistreatment of blacks came with the times, but the book is not a how-to guide. Its purpose, in fact, was to reveal the truths of racism. Similarly, Fahrenheit 451 is not a profanity dictionary, and Beloved is not a modern version of the Kama Sutra. These details, as controversial as they may be, are meant to build the story and add emphasis, but they are not the purpose of the story. To remove these books from schools removes the world's life lessons and values from the
Ray Bradbury was and is an excellent author. You can really fell through his writing what he is trying to express. ”It was a special pleasure to burn to see things eaten,to see things blackened and changed”(Bradbury 1 ).In Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury is expressing that one day soon the world can forget what is right and what is wrong. He has a certain way of using words to describe something.
Fahrenheit 451 Books were meant to be burned, destroyed, and mutilated, no matter the cost. This was what the people in this novel were told their entire lives, so they believed it. There were very few who didn’t believe that this way of life was right, but they were punished for their opinion. This novel includes multiple opinions on the matter, and shows that anyone has the ability to change their mind.
Do you ever find yourself breaking the rules a higher authority has set just to find your identity or explore new things? For instance, in Brave New World, published in England in 1932, by Aldous Huxley, John the Savage is free from conformity and lives his own life, but still tries to fit into society or the World State. Similarly, in Fahrenheit 451, published in Los Angeles, California in 1953, by Ray Bradbury, Guy Montag desperately tries to break free from society and find his true identity. Brave New World and Fahrenheit 451 both express the interest in relationship between books, life and community. People are often controlled by their superiors, which results in people thinking they are better than one another, causing rebellion.
Of Mice and Men nearly being banned in Ohio because of it's use of profane language and its darker themes from being set in the time of the Great Depression (latimes.com/books). Fahrenheit 451 serves as a warning of censorship and the dangers it can pose to society as programs or books are hidden away to avoid upsetting
Censoring Society In recent years, books in school libraries across the U.S. have been challenged to be taken off of shelves for containing topics that were deemed inappropriate by parents and teachers alike. Some of these cases have resulted in words being blacked out or altered, while other cases were successful in taking the book off of the shelf entirely. One of the many books being challenged to be banned is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Although sensitive and controversial issues such as censorship appear in Fahrenheit 451, the novel should not be banned because it is a story that explores this topic of restricting information which allows readers to understand the severity of it and its impacts in society.
In turn, the child becomes ignorant of what’s to come. Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, portrays a dystopian future where firemen start fires instead of preventing them. Books are censored to prevent offending minorities, not being fun, and breeding intelligent people. Guy Montag a fireman never questioned his destruction or life, but upon meeting a girl named Clarisse Mcclellan, he starts to wonder what lies within books. Censorship is everywhere controlling what to think and how to act.
Imagine this, a society hooked on tv, police forces that harass and punish independent thinkers. Guy Montag, the protagonist of the story, lived most of his life being taught that books were dangerous. The government banned books because they did not want the people to think differently from them. The fire inside Montag, waiting to be lit, started up a flame once Clarisse came into his life. Once he started to read books he saw things differently, more colorful and interesting.
Pam Leo once said, “Let’s raise children who won’t have to recover from their childhoods.” Do parents with kids in high school or middle school really want their kids really want kids reading books about being drunk, smoking cigarettes, violence, “dirty talk”, and using God’s name in vain? Students should not have to read Fahrenheit 451 as an open book in class as it could go against what they believe in. This book could encourage kids to discuss or do things they should not be doing at their age. It also uses references to the bible and uses God’s name in vain.
In the 21st century, many books are challenged and banned for their content, some of these include The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Animal Farm, and Fahrenheit 451. Many of the reasons given for banning are the same. The reasons include violence, language, symbols, and religion. This makes it very difficult for educational professionals; which books should be taught and which ones should be banned, when does protection become unnecessary censorship? Although Fahrenheit 451 shows some dark themes such as banning books, disregard for human life, and suicide, it should be included in the school curriculum because it shows the dystopian future that awaits the world if the events in the book become a reality.
Paper burns at 451 degrees Fahrenheit, which is why Ray Bradbury titled his book Fahrenheit 451. This book mentions a dystopian society where firefighters burn books instead of putting out fires. The main character, Montag, realizes that his actions as a firefighter are wrong, and becomes a fugitive running from the police. Fahrenheit 451 is the most “messed up” text that was read by Ms. Troxel’s third period class because this future could happen to society.
At one point in time, over 7,220 books have been challenged to be banned. Though these books have been removed for the safety of children, not all books should be banned for many reasons. These include the fact that banning books is infringing on the First Amendment, keeping children from understanding the real world, and, even though there are many reasons for book banning, not banning books could help a student’s education and can even work against itself. Banning a book from a school or public library could go against a person’s First Amendment of the freedom of press.
Also, some say that you should not be exposing bad behavior or language to students but in reality they hear and see these things everyday, and by banning a book, that is not protecting them. Writers have the freedom to write whatever they want and that is a part of the First Amendment, so why banned their book? “The First Amendment allows individuals to speak, publish, read and view what they wish, worship (or not worship) as they wish, associate with
Huckleberry Finn, Of Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby: all cherished American classics; however, all of these novels have been banned in at least one public high school library in America. Those are not the only novels that have been banned, though. Approximately 11,300 novels have been banned, or challenged, in public high schools and libraries since 1982 (About Banned Books). These novels have been banned for numerous reasons, such as racism, offensive language, and current controversial subjects such as homosexuality and rape. Over 50% of these novels were banned by parents wishing to shield their children from content they deemed inappropriate.
It denies individuals of finding out about their general surroundings. Books should not be banned because of what they appear to be. For instance, restricting books are unlawful and not valuable for schools. '' I don't think a school board can wrap its political concerns in the cloak of educational suitability,'' Mr. Levine said (“Book-Banning Arguments are heard ”). The statement is vital in light of the fact that it gives
A society where books are burned and reading is banned, seems like a far off dystopian land, but it's happening in America, and it's happening now. Books such as Ray Bradbury's ""Fahrenheit 451"" are being banned daily. The book, ironically, is about a fireman who runs away from society because he refuses to burn books and submit to a life without meaning. Although "Fahrenheit 451" brings up issues pertaining to controversial beliefs, it should not be banned because of it's educational value. By reading this book students are exposed to life lessons and experiences all within the confines of a book.