The United States of America is renowned for the endless freedoms the country offers, yet high schools are being deprived of the opportunity to include important pieces of literature in curriculum because of the controversial subjects highlighted within the books. One piece of literature that falls in this category is Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 which has been challenged prominently because of violence. Although the novel contains sophisticated themes and violent behavior, Fahrenheit 451 should be authorized for academic use in high school curricula because it promotes awareness and classroom discussion on the prevalence of violence in society. The majority of concerned citizens believe that banning books protects the youth, however, these …show more content…
The majority of American parents believe that Fahrenheit 451 and similar pieces of literature should not be included in school curriculum because the negative influence it could pose on adolescents. However, the antithesis of this idea is that the inclusion of violence in literature serves a greater purpose than entertainment and therefore can positively influence students. Authors often utilize violence to encourage peace and to reflect major issues in the present time society. For example, Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes wrote a satirical and violent piece of literature in 1615 and "... the purpose [was] not to celebrate but to criticize violence" (Campbell 2). During this time period there was great controversy over the Roman Catholic Church and through the use of violence Cervantes could give readers a more clear insight to the conflict as well as encourage his audience to act more civilly. The same goal can be achieved through Fahrenheit 451; Bradbury's novel frequently references violence and this can increase students' awareness and promote peaceful attitudes through classroom discussion. Presently in American society, violence and controversy cover the nation, but if the next generation is aware and well-equipped through the use of literature, the future of America could be one of
A Supreme Court Justice, Potter Stewart, once said, “Censorships reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself.” Fahrenheit 451 written by Ray Bradbury shows us a futuristic society that he believes we are heading for. In his book, novels are banned and it is up to a group of firemen to go around and burn them all. In the end, an unexpected hero arises to go against his current society’s beliefs, and it shows his struggles along the way. Bradbury’s relatable themes make the reader think of the similarities between the book and their world, and is a key element in why the book is so successful.
The first amendment states that the government can not pass any law abridging the freedom of speech. Schools and libraries, being government supported buildings, should not be able to completely ban books. Also, a book may be banned if the author of the book recognizes it may not be appropriate and allows the school or library to ban the book. However, in the case of Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury had said on the topic of censorship of his books, “Do not insult me with the beheadings, finger-choppings or the lung-deflations you plan for my works.” When he says this he clearly is talking about how censorship in his books is borderline offensive to
In Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury creates a technological dystopia where books are banned. In the society, any type of intellectual thought is seen as odd or unique which is not tolerated. This is closely related to the poem the "Allegory of the cave" where it talks about how people who are stuck in one way and aren't willing to see the truth will often go to extremes to avoid said truth or anything that seems different from what they believe in. In Fahrenheit 451 the main character Guy Montag and counters this young girl named Clarisse McClellan. Clarisse is the first person to really open up Montag's eyes to his surroundings and what the world he lives in has become.
In today’s society, television, schools, sociality, and money have reflected the predictions that Bradbury made in Fahrenheit 451 about the effects of not reading. To begin, technology and schools have changed dramatically since the
All books have a story, but only a select few endure the story on itself. The novel, Fahrenheit 451 is about firemen burning books with material the government does not want the public to see. This book seems to suffer from itself, as democrats in government are attempting to remove free speech and schools are requiring parent notes because of controversial ideas. However, admittedly there is some sections where language is present where it should not be for the younger audience. The novel Fahrenheit 451 is not merit of being banned, due to the necessity of youth to be exposed to other alternative opinions, even if such are radical, in order defend their beliefs.
In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury explores how dangerous close-mindedness and censorship can be. Set in a dystopian society where everyone is closed off from the literature world, the main character must do some serious rethinking. This causes some great challenges in his life, as anyone else would. Banning a book requires a lot of thinking in general. Deciding to go against the way you were raised requires some complicated thoughts.
Writers’ who emphasize these ideas, values, and problems aim to educate students on what is happening around them. Censorship does not allow these books to be exposed to children, therefore not allowing them to really understand what is going on around them. Censorship is a controversial issue that is evident throughout Fahrenheit 451.
Lastly, violence is used to entertain, and if violence is amusing, more deaths would occur each day. In conclusion, Fahrenheit 451 is warning today 's
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.
Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, is a uniquely shocking and provocative novel about a dystopian society set in a future where reading is outlawed, thinking is considered a sin, technology is at its prime, and human interaction is scarce. Through his main protagonist, Guy Montag, Bradbury brings attention to the dangers of a controlled society, and the problems that can arise from censorship. As a fireman, it is Guy's job to destroy books, and start fires rather than put them out. After meeting a series of unusual characters, a spark is ignited in Montag and he develops a desire for knowledge and a want to protect the books. Bradbury's novel teaches its readers how too much censorship and control can lead to further damage and the repetition of history’s mistakes through the use of symbolism, imagery, and motif.
How Captain Beatty of Fahrenheit 451 Illustrates “The Mindset of Those Who Censor” Persis Karim said in The New Assault on Libraries, "Obviously, the danger is not in the actual act of reading itself, but rather, the possibility that the texts children read will incite questions, introduce novel ideas, and provoke critical inquiry." Set in the 24th century, Ray Bradbury’s book, Fahrenheit 451, depicts a society in which books have been outlawed by a government fearing an independent-thinking public. Enforcing this law through incineration of book material, homes, and even book owners is the duty of firemen, such as the Chief Captain Beatty, whose insidious personality makes him the quintessence of an antagonist. However, his contradictions
Ironically, Fahrenheit 451 is one of the most banned books in American schools. The book was seen as evil for ideas like opposing the suppression of freedom by parties that presumed they had all the answers. Books such as Fahrenheit 451, 1984, Brave New World, The Giver, and The Hunger Games have been banned in schools, and they all explore the themes of suppressing freedom, information, and intellectual thinking. Prohibiting these books will only lead less thought; it will lead to the ultimate demise of society. If we do not learn from them, we will become them.
Fahrenheit 451 has an astonishingly accurate future depiction of a society in which everyone is too distracted by technology, so they ignore most of the world around them. The community members are not aware of nature or other human beings, and they never take time to actually think deeply about life and ideas in general. Many high school and middle school teach this book in curriculums nationwide, because the addiction to technology and hatred of books portrayed in the book is beginning to be prevalent in our society. This book also glorifies individuality by admiring a girl who is different from everyone else. In the past, many parents have decided to challenge this book due to the violence, the religious discrimination, the foul language, and the references to drinking and smoking.
In Cold Blood: Educational or Inappropriate? When brainstorming inappropriate subjects to discuss with children at school, topics such as murder, violence, inappropriate language, or affairs may come to mind. The question is raised that if it benefits the child to converse about these matters, should books about adult themes, like murder be allowed in schools? Many novels, including In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, arguably should be banned, because it contains gruesome details about real life murders.
If not in a safe classroom environment, where is a better setting to expose children to real world issues and behaviors. While there is heavy emphasis placed on the importance of breaking the status quo and the law in particular, such behaviors demonstrated in "Fahrenheit 451" encourage problem solving and individual thinking in the minds of students. As stated by Grace Chen, "The attempt to expose students to challenging topics and issues, as many teachers support, is not intended to force students into a certain mode of thought; moreover, the books are to serve as opportunities for students to think, theorize, question, and explore(8). " Books like "Fahrenheit 451" truly foreshadow this future of complete censorship and lack of individual thinking. Huckleberry Fin demonstrates critical thinking, and promotes the understanding of the time period it is set it.