Blog 1-Warnings

In Fahrenheit 451, Author Ray Bradbury sends out many warnings to readers about how the Government is too powerful and can suppress our individual freedoms. In the society, anyone that is found with books in their house is to be arrested, and their houses and books are to be burned. One example of the Government suppressing individual freedoms is the fact that they don’t allow books. Anyone that is found with books will be arrested and their house will be burned. They think that books are meaningless and will put useless ideas into a person’s head. In the book, Guy Montag and the other fireman went to a call and burned an old woman alive in her house. She refused to leave her books so she just stayed in her house. The government would rather have people dead than reading books. Another example of the government having too much power is that they have made people believe that it is socially unacceptable to spend time alone, think independently, have meaningful conversations, and enjoy nature. Anyone that participates in these activities is deemed a social outcast. Socially acceptable behavior is considered sitting around watching TV all day with other people, having pointless conversations. Montag’s wife just sits around all day and watch’s her wall TV. Of the few conversations she had with her friends consisted of how children are a waste of time and that death can’t happen in their family. I think that anyone that reads this book should take into consideration the control the government had not only in the book but in society today as well.