Fahrenheit 451

The World Changes Very Quickly Look At How Quickly Innovation Occurs

Space Invaders – Atari

Super Mario Bros. 1 – NES

Mortal Kombat – Sega Genesis

Goldeneye – N

Heavy Rain – PS

Cell Phones!

Cars!

Computers!

Clothing

Books!

What Will The Future Look Like? Clothing in the Year 2000! Kitchen of the Year 2000 Computer of the Future!

What DOES the Future Look Like? The Future Is Now!

I. Utopia vs. Dystopia A. Utopia 1. First example is in Plato’s Republic (300 B.C.) a. Ideal world led by “philosopher king” who sees things for as they truly are b. No private goods, no families, militaristic government 2. Has since become a broader term for an ideal or perfect type of society. 3. The word “utopia” has two contradictory meanings, depending on translation. a. “Good Place” b. “No Place” Why is this ironically appropriate?

I. Utopia vs. Dystopia (cont.) B. Dystopia 1. Translates to “bad” or “difficult” place 2. A type of paradox – dystopias are worlds that in their efforts to become utopian become corrupt or evil 3. Dystopian literature has grown into a popular literary genre, usually science fiction or fantasy

Dystopian Art

And, of course…

II. Ray Bradbury A – Today B. Modernist Luddite – fears technology and its effects on society 1. On Technology, he said: “We have too many cell phones. We’ve got too many Internets. We have got to get rid of those machines. We have too many machines now.” C. Self-titled “Christian Positivist Buddhist” – believes in a God and a morality based around love. 1. On his religion, he said: “ I love you and I forgive you. I am like you and you are like me. I love all people. I love the world. I love creating.... Everything in our life should be based on love.”

II. Ray Bradbury (cont.) D. Bibliophile: lover of books. 1. On literature: “Without libraries, what have we? We have no past and we have no future…You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” E. A type of prophet – Bradbury correctly predicted many technological and cultural changes in America decades before they happened. 1. On his ability to predict the future: “I don’t try to describe the future. I try to prevent it.”

A Few More Quotations:  Every morning I jump out of bed and step on a landmine. The landmine is me. After the explosion, I spent the rest of the day putting the pieces together.  We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.  We are the miracle of force and matter making itself over into imagination and will. Incredible. The Life Force experimenting with forms. You for one. Me for another. The Universe has shouted itself alive. We are one of the shouts.

III. Themes in Fahrenheit 451 A. The dangers of censorship 1. Written in 1953, Bradbury reflects on the book burning of the nazi regime 2. As a bibliophile, Bradbury fears a world where knowledge can be banned 3. Ironically, Fahrenheit 451 was once re-released in a censored version for schools; Bradbury demanded it be restored, which it has been since 1980.

III. Themes (cont.) B. Over-abundance of technology causes alienation and depression 1. Characters made unaware of their own unhappiness 2. Media saturation (the “parlor,” the “seashells”) numbs characters to their own feelings, ambitions, and families How do characters reveal their unhappiness, and how does the dystopian society make them feel “better?”

IV. Clarisse A. The catalyst for Guy’s conversion – a mysterious, dreamlike figure B. Character linked to images of nature – a contrast to images of machinery and technology C. Her question, “ Are you happy ?” Most important question of novel. For Bradbury, what does it mean to be “Happy?”

V. Beatty A. Foil to Guy B. Character built on paradox – he mandates the burning of books, yet is very knowledgeable about them C. He is the book’s clear villain, yet in his speech at the end of part I articulates much of Bradbury’s message Re-read Beatty’s speech at the end of Part I. In What Ways Is He Right?

VI. Novel’s Major Symbols All Are Paradoxical A. Salamander: In mythology, live in fire without being consumed by it. B. Phoenix: Renewal and rebirth come via destruction C. “The Family”: provide comfort, companionship, yet replaces real comfort and companionship D. Mechanical Hound: Representation of nature that symbolizes society’s mechanized cruelty

VII. Modernist Literature A. Portrays an individual in conflict with society who is made to look heroic through his suffering B. Bradbury uses direct language that is entrenched in deeper meaning C. The book is built upon irony, contradiction, and paradox D. Meta-Fiction – it is a book about the importance of books.

Bradbury’s Point  Life in the modern era, like literature, is full of contradiction, challenge, and paradox. We suffer by ignoring this.  He portrays a nightmarish future in order to warn against consequences of current social evils  The author challenges the reader to ask important questions, reflect on the world around them, and be strong enough to act when you know what’s right.