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Fahrenheit 451 Essay

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Table of Contents

Pg1...............................................................................................................................................................1

Pg2...............................................................................................................................................................2

Outline........................................................................................................................................................3

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Pg6..............................................................................................................................................6

References..................................................................................................................................7

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Outline

I. Pg1

A. Title Page

II. Pg2

A. Table of Contents

III. PgPg. 3

A. Outline

IV. PgPg. 4

A. Introduction

V. PgPg. 5

A. Body Paragraphs

B. Main Supports

VI. PgPg. 6

A. Conclusion

B. Final Points

VII. PgPg. 7

A. My References

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Kitae Jeong

Deb Peters

English 9

18 May 2010

Fahrenheit 451 Essay

“Classics experienced being cut to fit 15-minute radio shows, then cut again to fill a

two-minute book column (58).” This quote sums up what’s happening to the world today, as

today’s world commonly follows destructive, yet easier and more beneficial routes just as books

are burned in the novel. Written by Ray Bradbury, the novel focuses on Montag’s struggle in

futuristic world, against Mildred & Cpt. Beatty, where no books are allowed for pocession.

Society’s destructive tendency toward entertainment, combustible data, and isolation is clearly

prophesied in through this novel.

Modern society’s destructive tendencies toward entertainment is are proven through

Mildred, Mrs. Bowles, and Beatty. Mildred is seen saying, “How long you figure before we put a

fourth wall-TV put in (24)? Mildred is not much of a “saving” person and will do anything to

experience greater entertainment as she’s willing to spend $2000, her husband’s valuable salary,

like a lot of the wives today. Mildred says, “It doesn’t mean anything (72)” after hearing Guy

Montag read The Gulliver’s travel. It would be rather harsh to expect Mildred to understand the

book, but it is more than obvious that she had no interest in books, and that is largely due to the

entertainment lifestyle that she’s used to. This lifestyle has already caused severe effect on those

who refuse to study or put effort; entertainment and reading just doesn’t mix together. Mrs.

Bowles, a friend of Mildred, is even worse. Her comparison of her kids to washing clothes is rather

unnecessary and proves that she does not take parenting seriously, which is possible for any

young, immature parents today. Mrs. Bowles’ comment on Guy’s actions even further proves her

need for entertainment and the lack of interest in anything negative or gloomy. Finally, Beatty, a

character strongly opposed against booksthe use of books, quotes about his opinion on fire. Fire,

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because it could destroy just about everything in society, should not be considered as

entertainment, but unfortunately, Cpt. Beatty thinks otherwise. Plus, he tells of how schools

became less academic through the years, which is what’s happening now as more holidays are

being accepted and less emphasis is put on punishments and certain subjects. Thus, these

characters are heavily involved in entertainment through the book and reminds of how the

modern world is running today.

Another destructive tendency, or use of combustible data, is proven through the

characters Cpt. Beatty, Mrs. Bowles, and Guy Montag. Cpt. Beatty is no doubt the most significant

character in terms of this tendency. Beatty quotes on how a lot of the works, including radio

shows/classic, have been shortened to suit people’s needs. This is actually happening in the

modern world, as many publishers are putting out shortened versions of books for people who

can’t speak English, and realistically, it can only get shorter from this point. He then comments on

how useless books are, and how books are better off being burned. Really, Beatty never truly

challenged and questioned himself on the books usefulness, but simply rebuked and ridiculed

them because “he didn’t get them,” and many people are refusing to read books for the exact

same reason today. For Mrs. Bowles, her comments on the newly elected president speak for

themselves. She first comments on how she voted the better-looking candidate, and later, how

the two candidate’s names compare. Everyone knows that presidents are meant to be elected for

their abilities that will benefit the nation, but Mrs. Bowles focuses on the external looks, or

combustible data, to vote for the president. This is commonly seen through the younger votes

today. Lastly, Guy Montag surprisingly proves that even he relies on combustible data. In earlier

plot, he answers Clarisse’s question by saying he is happy as a fireman, but just like Beatty, he

simply answers the way he wants to, but it is not the truth itself. Inside, he really isn’t happy, and

have basically lived his years convincing himself that he is. This should be considered combustible

data as it stands on thin ice compared to the truth. Lastly, guy comments on the use of tissues,

which is imply shortened to “blow, wad, flush (21).” This itself is combustible data as people today

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use tissues like it’s just another tissue, and do not focus on the amt. of trees being cut and the

effort it takes to make each tissue. Thus, people today are forgetting the deeper details, which

caused many to become arrogant and selfish. So, these characters clearly display how the modern

world relies on combustible data and how it has little or no positives to it.

Isolation, a yet another scary tendency in the modern world, is prophesied through characters

Mildred, Clarisse, and Mrs. Phelps. Mildred shows her extreme love for electronics throughout the

book. She mentions that the parlor walls are her family, just as many today are addicted to TV,

and through the parlor walls, she’s isolating herself in her own world, limiting communication, and

etc. a bit earlier, she even admitted of her lost memory with her husbands first date, and really,

what type of a guy would live with a women who forgets their first date? This is one of many

reasons why love fades, and why divorce is common today. Clarisse, and interesting character,

mentions her trouble in making friends and her unusual hobby of walking. Every school today has

kids who just can’t get along because of his/her weird traits, shyness, and etc. It’s a sad reality

how many are unwilling to accept someone who’s in need of attention, as that scar will lie in

there hears for the rest of their lives. Meanwhile, Mrs. Phelps, who is another friend of Mildred,

mentions of her useless relationship with her husband and her opinions on kids. Through these

statements, Mrs. Phelps voices her hate for children and how she and Pete are independent. This

is really sad as it’s so similar to Mildred’s situation, yet even more hopeless. Mrs. Phelps just

doesn’t seem to want events in her life, ignoring her husband and her kids. Really, what’s the

point of living then? Didn’t God send humans to earth for a purpose? That is a question that

should be asked about these characters, and is perhaps the question that many should be asking

themselves today.

The

destructive effects of entertainment, combustible data, and isolation, towards modern society, are

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clearly foretold through this novel. Entertainment, as tempting as it may be, should be limited by

individuals as it is capable of ruining their lives, including loss of relationship. Combustible data is

widely used due to its simplicity, but people are simply blinding themselves from the actual

details and limiting their own knowledge. Finally, isolation should not even be considered because

that’s a one-way ticket to suicide, whether people disagree or not. If people want to live a true,

meaningful life, they should stop following these comfortable, shortened routes and go with the

original ones that will make there lives all the more interesting.

References

Georgiadis, M., Tskiakis, P, Longindis, p., (2009) Optimal design of supply chain network under

demand varieties Omega 39(3), 254. Retrieved January 12,2009, from

www.classmarker.com