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Cassandra Cooper
Aughenbaugh
Honors English 12
19 February 2016
The Cynicism on Censorship
Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak, said, Censorship is the child of fear and the
father of ignorance. The fear people are faced with in society has made them ignorant by the
way they ignore problems. Anderson is known for speaking out against censorship. In the science
fiction novel Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, people let the government use censorship to take
control of everything because they are too scared to face their fears. People are afraid of what is
really going on in society based on the authors that present these ideas. Bradbury uses
Fahrenheit 451 as a general warning to society about the perils of censoring itself and the
outcomes as a result.
Ray Bradbury was born on August 22, 1920 in Waukegan, Illinois. By the time he was
three years old, he had already read The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Mogen 2-3). By reading this
book at such a young age, readers can understand how intelligent he was. After his father lost his
job, their family moved to Los Angeles (Mogen 3). Bradbury eventually realized that Waukegan
had more of a pre-Depression small town America feeling to it while Los Angeles was deemed as
being the city of the future (Mogen 3). In Waukegan and Los Angeles, he attended public school
(Hayes 397). Throughout Bradburys adolescence, he suffered through the pain of being different
than others However, his brother, Skip got more attention since he was an athlete who had much
more luck through high school. Bradbury was helpless to defend himself in a jungle of
adolescence (Mogen 4). In his younger years, he also attended the World Science Fiction

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Convention in New York (Mogen 7). At twelve years old, he wrote the Buck Rogers Stories
(Mogen 2-3). The magazine Weird Tales featured his first writings and they published his first
stories in 1941 (Mogen 7).
Later, Bradbury married Marguerite McClure. On the night before their wedding,
Bradbury burned a million words of his bad writing (Mogen 10). Through the Los Angeles
Science Fiction League, he met a few professional writers. These writers were ones who helped
to offer Bradbury advice and criticism (Mogen 10). At this point, he knew that the most
influential writers for him were Henry Kuttner and Leigh Brackett. As he took some of their
ideas into thought, he began to write The Lake (Mogen 10). The Lake was definitely a turning
point for him, as it helped him discover his best type of characteristic style to use. Although The
Lake was a turning point, his best work was Martian Chronicles, which was published in 1950.
After World War II, Bradburys writing of Fahrenheit 451 began. As he wrote, he used
rich language, poetic imagery, and psychological observation (Hayes 397). With the use of
these elements of writing, it helped his audience to see what he saw. His vision of the American
dream in Fahrenheit 451 turned into a nightmare because the characters ignore their problems.
Instead of coming face to face with the problems, it engendered a big threat to them. Bradbury
typically had a romantic or sentimental view for his books as well (Mogen 22). Many people
associated his books as being anti-science, anti-technology or anti-progress (Mogen 21).
However, this was not the case seeing that he established his reputation in science fiction and
fantasy.
Upon the first publications of Fahrenheit 451, some people gave no merit to its presence.
The critics believed it was too vulgar. Other people thought it was quite compelling and just

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brilliant. Either way, Fahrenheit 451, is very controversial with the way self-censorship is
presented.
In Fahrenheit 451, Guy Montag, a fireman who burns books, lives in a futuristic
American city. In Montags world the firemen start fires rather than put them out. People in his
society do not read or do anything that would spark a thought for themselves. They would much
rather watch too much television or drive really fast. In fact if people take the time to drive slow,
they have an excessive amount of time to think.
Montag meets a girl, Clarisse McClellan, who changes his view on life. Clarisse does so
by always asking questions about her love for nature and books. Over the next few days, Montag
experiences a series of disturbing events. His wife, Mildred, attempts suicide by swallowing a
bottle of sleeping pills. Then, he goes to burn a hidden stash of books that a woman has, but in
return the firemen end up burning her alive because she chooses to burn with her books.. Later
on, he hears that Clarisse has been killed by a speeding car.
Eventually Montag starts to fail to show up for work after he starts his own collection of
books. The firehouse holds a Mechanical Hound, and the one at Montags firehouse does not like
him on their first encounter. With the fear of Montags secret leaking out, Montag converses with
Beatty. Beatty tells him that he understands his urge to read, but he should not continue to want
to. Rather than letting Montag keep the book, Beatty gives him twenty-four hours to calm his
curiosity and turn in his stolen book.
Montag overwhelms himself with the task of reading his books, and he talks to his wife
for help. However, she continues to watch television instead of focusing on Montag. Then,

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Montag comes up with the brilliant idea to meet up with the retired English professor, Faber; he
met a long time ago. Faber tells Montag that should want to read them for the ideas that he wants
to act upon. Faber continues to help Montag, and they make a plan to get rid of the idea of
censorship.
Montag soon goes home where his wifes two friends are there to watch television. The
women talk about their families and the war that is about to be declared. Their shallowness starts
to anger him, and he takes out a book of poetry. Faber warns him to be quiet while Mildred tries
to convince her friends that the reading is how firemen show how useless literature is. Mildreds
friends are disgusted and leave.
Montag soon returns to work to hand in one of the stolen books. Beatty begins to ask
questions to confuse Montag. Then, Beatty goes on to say how literature is too contradicting. On
the next mission to burn books, the firemen arrive Montags own house. Mildred scurries off, and
Montag notices his wifes disloyalty. Beatty tells Montag to burn his own house while he
continues to contradict Montag. Soon enough Montag becomes sick of it, and with Fabers help,
Montag burns Beatty to ash.
Montag flees to Fabers house, and he learns that a Hound, helicopters, and a television
crew are searching for him. Faber helps Montag with escaping anyone or anything that is
searching for him as he tells Montag that he is leaving to meet a retired printer who may be able
to help them. Montag drifts downstream into the country to escape and finds a group of outlaws
who have memorized the books. This group is led by a man named Granger, and their goal is to
help people after the war destroys everything. The outlaws welcome Montag as he takes the job

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of memorizing the Book of Ecclesiastes. Montag and his new group of friends go back to the city
in search of survivors after it is completely destroyed in the midst of war.
When you hit other people on the nose, then they begin to leave you alone (Mogen 4).
Censorship became what people made it out to be by obtaining societys full attention when they
hit them in the face with their criticism. Then, they pushed too far in attempting to get what
they wanted because of fear they had. Most people generate the fear of being inferior just
because someone else read more than they have. This resulted in the government having too
much control over things.
Bradbury thought that society's use of technology could hold the possibility of shaping
the future in better ways. Mans machines are indeed symbols of his most secret cravings and
desires, extra hands put out to touch and reinterpret the world (Mogen 21). Many people
believed that Bradbury assumed the future would be bad, but he was trying to prevent bad
futures, not predict them (Mogen 22). Bradbury also said, Rockets and robots are extensions of
our souls (Mogen 22). With this being said, society has obviously become too involved with
technology in some aspects of life. Society thinks technology is the one of the only things that
makes us important because they rely on it too much.
Censorship in the United States was ranked second place as there were 321 removal
requests in 2012 (Brandon Gaille Marketing Expert and Blogmaster). There is restricted access
to classics like those by John Steinbeck, William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Dr. Seuss, and
even the Bible (Granberry 66). In one school, Snow White can only be read with parental
permission. In another, The Diary of Anne Frank cannot be read because it is too depressing

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(Granberry 67-69). With this being known, society today is starting to seem more like the society
in Fahrenheit 451.
Superintendent, Larry Phelps, said, We dont want to have any material thats offensive
(Granberry 66). However, within specific groups, they have been using the charge of
censorship to put moral standards into the classrooms of the students in schools (Granberry 69).
Paul L. Hetrick, a spokesperson for Focus on Family, said Books are just one of the tools in an
ongoing civil war against censorship (Granberry 69). John Whitehead, president of the
Rutherford Institute, said, There was a time when censorship was used to protect the public
good, (Granberry 69). The censorship in Fahrenheit 451 begins as self-censorship because
everyone is afraid to offend one another, and as things progress, the government is more
involved. Like in todays society, the government even tracks what people are reading.
Specific complaints about sexism, ageism, and racism have become more prevalent.
There have been nationwide efforts against two books that promote homosexual lifestyles.
Many schools have even restricted classroom discussion about homosexuality because it offends
some people (Granberry 75). Enforcement by churches as a whole occurs on entire countries in
religious wars as they force people to have certain beliefs. This makes a threat to the public
morals of everyone. Enforcing is also done by the government when they think the publics
safety and security are at risk (Hayes 197). As for the government, they use censorship for
classifying things as a secret in order to avoid political embarrassment (Hayes 198).
Preventive censorship happens when material is reviewed beforehand. Prohibiting by
authority happens when it comes to the hearing, saying, seeing, or writing of any kind of
material (Hayes 197). Punitive censorship happens afterward when material has already been

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published or produced. Examples of these include, but are not limited to the distribution of books
being forbidden or a play being ordered closed (Hayes 198).
Censorship is a daily occurrence for citizens of the United States. For the exposure of
those under the age of eighteen, people are forbidden to send any pornography or defamatory
images. On television, a bleep is used in place of any profanity in fear of young children
hearing it. For any type of media produced, there is a rating system. This rating system tells what
is or is not suitable for a particular audience (Hayes 198).
People self-censor in order to make things more equal for themselves. Censoring is said
to be done for the protection of family, the church, and the state. Historical considerations also
create censorship. For example, in Germany, it is illegal to glorify the Nazis or display the
swastika (Global Internet Liberty Campaign). By burning the books in Fahrenheit 451, it is
creating a dystopian society. Television now seems to dictate peoples thoughts and actions
making them emotionless creatures. The same people have no interest in reading because they
think it is pointless (California State University Northridge).
Mildreds friends are very shallow when they go on to discuss their husbands being in
war. Mrs. Phelps says, Anyways, Pete and I always said no tears, nothing like that (Bradbury
91). She was a rational as you and I, more so perhaps, and we burned her, is what Montag said
after the woman chose to burn with her books (Bradbury 48). With this, Montag realizes how
violent and destructive the firemen and society are. The arrogance of Beatty is present and quite
ironic. Often, he quotes things from the Bible even. Youve been locked up here for years with a
regular damned Tower of Babel, is what Beatty says in response to an older woman (Bradbury
68). Beatty just seems to be the most knowledgeable about all the books that are to be burned.

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Colored people dont like Little Black Sambo. Burn it (Bradbury 59). White people
dont feel good about Uncle Toms Cabin. Burn it (Bradbury 59). When Beatty said these things,
he was telling Montag to accept the rules against literature because people stopped themselves
from reading. Society did this to them because they did not want to be offended.
There must be something in books, things we cant imagine, to make a woman stay in a
burning house; there must be something there. You dont stay for nothing. (Bradbury 51). This
quote illustrates Montags disillusionment. Montag finally realizes that burning books is wrong
and ignorant.
Guy Montag says, I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if I talk
long enough, itll make sense (Bradbury 82). In Fahrenheit 451, this may never be possible.
Knowing that no one wants to be offended, society will not listen to anything. Most people are
almost emotionless. They just want to avoid any topic that may anger or upset them. Mildred
does so when Montag tries to talk to her about her overdosing on her sleeping pills. Montag says,
All right if you say so (Bradbury 17). Mildred then changes the subject immediately to the
script of her television show.
What traitors books can be! You think theyre backing you up, and they turn on you.
Others can use them, too, and there you are, lost in the middle of the moor, in a great welter of
nouns and adjectives (Bradbury 107). As Beatty says this, readers can tell that he has never
thought for himself. Books can be confusing, but only because they make readers think about
how contradicting they are. Montag wants to think for himself, but Beatty generates fear in him.
Montag is now afraid of what may happen because of how much trouble has been caused
because of books.

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Any mans insane who thinks he can fool the government and us (Bradbury 33). Beatty
gives the audience the idea that the government in Fahrenheit 451 has the greatest power. No one
can do anything without the government knowing about it. This means people cannot break any
laws without some sort of penalty because the government is unfoolable. The government in
Fahrenheit 451 has so much power that if someone challenges them, they will most likely face
the penalty of death.
The bigger your market, Montag, the less you handle controversy, remember that! All
the minor minor minorities with their navels to be kept clean. Authors full of evil
thoughts...Books, so the damned snobbish critics said were dishwater. No wonder books stopped
selling, the critics said (Bradbury 57). With a larger population, more minorities make it harder
to please everyone. Someone will always find something that will offend them in the content of
books. With this problem comes a solution that changes everything. The government, with the
help of the controversy over these books by the people, banned the books that could make
someone upset.
It didnt come from the Government down. There was no dictum, no declaration, no
censorship, to start with, no! (Bradbury 82). Beatty was saying that it all came from the people
after they stopped buying books. People just decided to stop reading to play nicer. Now all they
can read are journals, old confessions, or trade journals. These things have no opinions; there are
all based on facts.
Its not the books you need, its some of the things that once were in books. (Bradbury
82). Faber said this because people started to just memorize portions of books instead of saving
them. Once they memorize them, they pass it down through generations. Montag does not have

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to read the entire book. He just need to learn the morality and the different ideas presented by the
authors.
The presence of censorship in Fahrenheit 451 is portrayed as being a warning by
Bradbury to society today. Censorship is no longer being used for the actual good of people, it
is being abused. Society uses it to get what they want because they want to be careful with
offending others. However, this has been used too much to the point that, young children cannot
even read classic fairy tales or talk about certain things because someone will be offended. There
need to be a change to the system of censoring literature. If things do not change, it will continue
to lead to chaos.

Works Cited
32 Amazing Internet Censorship Statistics." Brandon Gaille Marketing Expert and Blogmaster.
Brandon Gaille, 7 Feb. 2015. Web. 19 Feb. 2016.

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Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2013. Print.
Bradbury, Ray New Standard Encyclopedia. Ed. David Hayes.Vol.3. Chicago: Ferguson
Publishing Company, 2001.397-398. Print.
Censoring the Pages of Knowledge. California State University Northridge. California State
University Northridge, 2015. Web. 7 Dec. 2015.
Censorship. New Standard Encyclopedia. Ed. David Hayes. Vol. 4. Chicago: Ferguson
Publishing Company, 2001. 197-198. Print.
Granberry, Michael. Books Are Being Banned. Censorship Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego:
Greenhaven Press, 1997. 64-69. Print.
Mogen, David. Twaynes United States Authors Series- Ray Bradbury. Boston: Twayne
Publishers, 1986. Print.
What Is Censorship? Global Internet Liberty Campaign. Global Internet Liberty Campaign,
2003. Web. 7 Dec. 2015.