Fahrenheit 451: Question 3

           The main themes of Fahrenheit 451 are censorship and the power of technology. Censorship plays a big role in the novel. Unlike what we think fireman do, put out fires, the firemen in Fahrenheit 451 create fires. This plays into censorship because it is the government, or the firemen, in the novel, controlling what the people can and cannot be exposed to so no one has an advantage over anyone else. Although it is never said why they actually burn the books; that is what is picked up through context clues. The other main theme of the novel is the power of technology, which today we can relate to very well. Mildred speaks about having a three walled television in their home and how popular it is (Bradbury 20). Guy also mentions a pocket radio being with everyone at all times (Bradbury 124). Bradbury shows having so much technology cuts out our need for communication, interaction, and learning from experiences. With the way our lives are controlled by technology it could easily reach the point that it did in Fahrenheit 451.

            Bradbury shows his understanding for human nature though the themes I pointed out. He knows that people do not like being told what they can and cannot do, but it can easily be done by someone with power who thinks all should have equal advantages. He also understands that someone will always do what they are told not to do. Curiosity killed the cat and someone is always going to be curious about unknown and foreign things such as Guy and his interest in seeing why the books were banned. Bradbury saw human’s interest in technology and obsession over new and cool toys. Technology is all and good, but it does not mean that we can stop any interaction with others because we can do it without actually saying it to their face. I believe he wrote it in such a radical way to get his point across.

             Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967. Print.