Fahrenheit 451 Essay

Technology has certainly advanced in 65 years. In 1953, when Ray Bradbury first published his literary genius, Farenheit 451 - the topics discussed within the book seemed so alien. Fast forward to the year 2018, and lots of scenarios in this book are things we’re accustomed to in the future. The role of technology in society plays a great deal of importance in our daily lives. With the way things are now days, without technology we’re kind of doomed per se, we just wouldn’t know how to carry on without it. The book mentions several devices that we see as commonplace nowadays, for one: the earphone! What we see as “Little Clamshells” are likened to that of modern day earphones. The “Little green bullet” is likened to a Bluetooth earpiece, or what about the “Television the size of a postal card?” Basically your modern day smart phone, and to think - this was all mentioned 65 years ago!

Clarisse however, played a role in helping Montag to quit being so robotized. She made Montag realize what was in front of him the whole time. Something as little as the grass or smelling the flowers, taking a glance up at the stars. This ultimately influences Montag to begin to “rebel” against the norm. He decides he can actually think for himself and be happy! Clarisse’s family is known to be thinkers, and it eventually leads to them being killed, including young Clarisse herself. It is then that Montag realizes how twisted everything is, and it is then where he realizes he needs to get out and think for himself! 

The change we see in Montag is quite like that of Young Goodman Brown. The tone and mood Bradbury uses to describe the setting drastically changes and we see things the way Montag does. A great use of Syntax is when Bradbury brings us into Montag’s inner self - his THOUGHTS. When Montag tripped and fell, the way Bradbury described it, you’d think it was a scene out of some action super hero movie. The way he worded it was down right amazing, and in my opinion something I couldn’t do. The way Bradbury is able to create an image in words is beyond me, and it is a true talent I certainly wish I possessed. The symbolism Bradbury uses is quite astonishing as well. I thought Montag literally possessed a chunk of the Bible, however it was really all in his head. We also learn that each “thinker” who survived is a book in themselves. I believe Bradbury was trying to symbolize everyone as their own book - able to tell their own story! Regardless of what Bradbury’s intentions were, a reader may have various viewpoints on such a dynamic artist. I know he is an author, but to me - he is also an artist. 

Truly, it takes lots of mind to write a book so well predicted and so wonderfully put together. Fahrenheit 451 was a pleasure to read and I don’t like to read - it’s these books that keep me wanting more!