Synthesis of Ray Bradbury Keyana workman Pinkerton - 3

The author Ray Bradbury was born in Waukegan, Illinois. He was seen as one of the most renowned American writers from the 20th century. His main course of work were based on science fiction, fantasy, and even horror. Best known for his famous dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 and horror fiction novel Something Wicked This Way Comes. He won many awards for his variety of works; he also received many honors. Bradbury passed away in L.A, California at the age of 91 in June 2012.

Fahrenheit 451 This classical, dystopian novel includes of a web of themes and theories based on the words of Bradbury. A man by the name of Guy Montag lives in a society where literature is forbidden and books are burned. Montag must fight an internal and somewhat external battle because of the books. Should he keep quiet about his secret yearning knowledge for the books and their meanings or become a spirited individual?

Fahrenheit 451 cont’d One of the main themes that seem to appear frequently is the importance of individuality. In society people tend to follow the crowd, stick to the status quo, and conform to what is seen as “normal”. In Montag’s reality every person is virtually the same. No one thinks for themselves and are all preoccupied with their silly lives. These people live only to be senselessly entertained by their televisions and radios. Bradbury shows individuality through Montag (and other characters). He is showing the reader the importance of being your own person. He does this by how Montag comes to the realization the world needs the books or without them everyone will continue being pointless. Just because majority does it one way does not mean [you] have to do the same. “They and their charcoal hair and soot-colored brows and blush-ash-smeared cheeks…These men were all mirror images of himself!” (Bradbury 30).

Fahrenheit 451 cont’d “Are you happy?” she said.” (Bradbury 7). The virtue of happiness is greatly seen throughout the novel. People get sad all the time but, sometimes it is not easy to be happy. Being unhappy leads to an apathetic view of life which is true for both Montag’s reality and our own. No one is happy in this novel; they do not want to realize how terrible their lives are so they trick themselves into thinking they are content. These people turn to technology to keep their minds busy. Individuals in real life turn to these kinds of things as well because they do not want to face the truth; the truth that life is cruel. “I don’t know what it is. I’m so damned unhappy, I’m so mad, and I don’t know why.” (Bradbury 61-62). These people are unhappy because they do not think. They do not read, or talk of anything meaningful so in turn, life is not. Although life can be sad it does not mean you have to be. “Are you happy?” she said.” (Bradbury 7).

Fahrenheit 451 cont’d Another strong theme shown was the power of words. Montag used to speak to his young, female friend Clarisse; she was young and had not been polluted by the sadness and dullness. They spoke about things that made Montag really think, ponder. Character ‘Faber’ used literature to help Montag come to a realization; ‘Beatty’ even used literature some literature against Montag to make him weak. Words can change a lot about a person whether it be good or bad. Words are what make people act; new ideas from either the author or themselves make a person do things they would have never dreamed. They can work to help you or destroy you. “Someday we’ll stop making the goddam funeral pyres and jumping in the middle of them.” (Bradbury 156).

A Medicine for Melancholy and Dietz A composite of short stories by Ray Bradbury: A Medicine for Melancholy. Within the composite one of the short stories title is “A Medicine for Melancholy”. In this story there is girl by the name of Camillia Wilkes who is suffering from some kind of illness; she fears of dying. No one knows what is wrong with her but, a strange man tells her and fixes her. It seems she had the ailment of sadness but, was fixed by the author hints at the strange man touching her in some way. It was “A medicine,” she murmured, “for melancholy.” (Bradbury 15.) As mentioned before, everyone and anyone can get sad but, it is not the end; even sadness can be fixed. A literary analysis by Frank Dietz follows some of these same themes mentioned before. He speaks of how it [Fahrenheit 451] is such a classic story of a decomposing society. “Like the protagonists of many other dystopian novels, Montag starts out as a loyal member of the future society and only gradually shows signs of disaffection.” (Dietz). Dietz believes Bradbury uses the natural and mechanical aspects of the novel to demonstrate culture vs. technology. This is seen through the terms ironic names for cars, radios and a mechanical hound. The two main female characters Clarisse and Mildred also portray nature (Clarisse) verses mechanical (Mildred).

Works Cited Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon and Schuster Paperbacks, 2012. Print. Bradbury, Ray. A Medicine for Melancholy. New York: Avon Books, 1998. Print. Dietz, Frank. "Fahrenheit 451." Masterplots, Fourth Edition (2010): 1-3. Literary Reference Center. Web. 19 Apr. 2013. "Ray Bradbury." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Apr. 2013. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.