1. An Introduction
Fahrenheit 451

2. The novel was written by Ray Bradbury, a celebrated science fiction writer.
It began as a short story “The Pedestrian” in 1951 and evolved into a novel by 1953.

3. Historical Context World War II had ended only a few years before
Threat of nuclear warfare loomed
Era of McCarthyism
fear of communism
Technology Boom

4. Lasting effects of WWII
Hitler has just been defeated
During his reign he burned many books
Soviet Union also banned and burned books
Communist China also burned books

5. Threat of nuclear war and fear
Drills in schools, special bells, etc. that inspired fear in all generations

6. The 1950’s Political Environment
Communism and national security: “The Red Menace”
Conflict with Soviet Union  Anti-communism movement
Thought Soviet’s committed to worldwide expansion

7. The Anti-Communist Agenda
Became a national obsession
Involvement of the federal govt.
Led to serious violations of civil rights in order to fight communism

8. McCarthyism Joseph McCarthy Called the “witch hunter”
Republican senator of Wisconsin who charged many as being communists in American organizations
Created political repression
Accusations baseless and ruined careers
Claimed secret communists everywhere
Called the “witch hunter”

9. McCarthyism Questions about the integrity of the government
Fear of Communism was wide-spread
Practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence

10. Predict or Prevent?
Bradbury claimed he was trying to “prevent the future”.
He did foresee many future developments:
Walkmans, earbuds, big- screen and interactive t.v., rise in violence, growing illiteracy, condensation of info into “sound bites”

11. The 1950’s

12. The 1950s Consumerism = success Electronics industry boom
Increase in prosperity after WWII led to conformity
“follow orders, and you will succeed.”

13. The 1950’s- Growing Fear and Paranoia
As the 1950s progressed, Ray Bradbury saw the government taking a great deal of power over the people and this worried him.
How could a government with too much power be dangerous?

14. Social Criticism
Warns against the danger of nuclear war, suppressing thought through censorship, racism, conformity, and the dangers of technology

15. Fahrenheit 451 Depicts a dystopian society.
Future that is bleak, dark, and dreary.
Usually a totalitarian society that demands order at the expense of individual rights
The novel focuses on two central themes:
CENSORSHIP
IGNORANCE OF KNOWLEDGE