Fahrenheit 451- A Glimpse into the Structure of a Society

Rarely in the world of fiction does an author attempt, much less be successful, at delving into the world of philosophy and the internal workings of society. However, Ray Bradbury, author of the great novel "Fahrenheit 451", has managed to do all of this. While using a futuristic fictional setting, Bradbury also manages to delve deep into the realms of censorship, and exactly where it gets us in our society today.

The book starts off by explaining the character of Guy Montag, a fireman whose job is not to stop fire, but rather, to create it, to destroy books that are banned in society. After meeting with a girl who doubts the societal structure and banning on books, Montag himself begins to question the fire system. He engages in a battle of wits with the fire captain Beatty, who explains exactly why books must be banned.

This is perhaps one of the greatest philosophical moments within the entire novel. Beatty explains that books must be banned to make society happy, as controversy and sadness around the world, or rather, knowledge of such things, causes a disorder within society itself, which is inevitably bad. Thus, books, or rather, the written word, are all banned, and burned upon finding, in order to keep the society at bay.

As well as the philosophical viewpoints (in which Montag and his new friend, presented later in the book, begin to fight the censorship), Bradbury also attempts to show how censorship, and the lack of information, would actually lead to the decay of society. Enter Millie, Montag's wife, who is constantly enthralled in the depths of the family "parlor" - an audience interactive television set. Rather than learn about the troubles across the world, she simply sits and stares, her ignorance increasing with each and every moment.

However, perhaps the greatest message installed within this novel is at the end. The ignorance created by the lack of information causes the society's downfalls - the town of which Montag is a resident is suddenly bombed to the ground, in a war in which the residents are told is extremely minor. It is here that Guy begins to find that their is a chance of rebuilding, a chance to produce a new society, that ignorance is certainly NOT bliss, but rather, the boulder in the way of societal greatness.

So, the true question comes out: which should be valued more, ignorance and societal welfare (or at least a sense of it) or real knowledge and truth? This is for the reader to decide. However, Fahrenheit 451 helps the reader understand that there is only one answer which is truly correct, and controversy is not a bad influence on society, but rather a good one, one that provokes thought, and one that makes an individual, an individual.

Upon discussing the plot, it is found that Bradbury's novel is truly excellent, in the fact that it dives deep into the subject of the matter. However, there is only one fault with this novel: the chapters are extremely stretched out. For approximately 200 pages, there are 3-4 chapters, meaning that each chapter takes a significant time to read.

However, taking all good and bad reviews into consideration, this is certainly one book that teaches an important lesson, and this important lesson is one that no one should forget. This book is recommended to all that would like to find their own truths to the inner workings of a society.