Progress

Today in class I got a lot of progress done when working on my story. I decided I was going to write about a futuristic world where the government uproots everyone from earth and puts them on a new planet. The government controls everyone by forcing them to take a pill that allows the government to see inside their thoughts and control them. More to come.....

Fahrenheit 451: Conclusion

Bradbury and Roth both question conformity and rule following in society and the need to leave an implacable mark. Without Guy realizing the importance of books, he would not have revolted and as a result, become his own person. Similarly, Tris needs to find her own voice and speak up for those who cannot. Mass media suppresses rights given in the Bill of Rights is an ideology that neither Tris nor Guy allow, but rather vow to fight and stop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sutgWjz10sM

 

Body Paragraph 2

            The need to make a mark on the world is an idea that permeates throughout Fahrenheit 451 and Divergent. Both Tris and Guy adapt to the idea that they need to make a mark on the world, as well as a change in society in order to make a difference.  “Everyone must leave something behind when he dies, my grandfather said. A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when people look at that tree or that flower you planted, you're there” (62). Montag conveys his need to leave a mark and change something in a society that he believes is corrupt. By stating that everyone “must leave something behind,” Montag further exemplifies his fear of not being remembered. Similarly, in Divergent, Tris is torn between choosing her family and her faction. “It’s my choice now, no matter what the test says.  Abnegation.  Dauntless.  Erudite.  Divergent.” (26) Tris declaring that it is “her choice” as to what faction she chooses further demonstrates that she will not conform to society’s rules and expectations. Both Tris and Guy view a lack of education as ignorance, leading to need to revolt and become ones own person before society corrupts and destroys them. “If you hide your ignorance, no one will hit you and you'll never learn” (56). Montag depicts that ignorance is necessary to improve oneself and that it is the way to enlightenment. Tris and Guy both view the lack of knowledge as an ability to learn and improve oneself before society becomes so accustomed with following rules that as one it conforms into extensions of the government.

Fahrenheit 451: Body Paragraph 1

The tension between self-identity and conformity is what eventually separates Guy Montag from a rapidly changing and subdued society. Guy Montag earns a living by destroying books as well as all the possessions of those who own books. However, deep down, Guy understands that he is unhappy, and that his relationship with his wife, Mildred, is not fulfilling. "It was a pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed. With the brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python spouting its venomous kerosene upon the world, the blood pounded in his head, and his hands were the hands of an amazing conductor playing all the symphonies of blazing and burning to bring down the tatters of history” (3). Montag’s need to burn books is instilled within him from the orders of society.  Montag believes his life is perfect and that he is fulfilled. Clarisse, however, is the catalyst for Montag’s change, and brings questions into his mind that he never considers doubting. Montag begins to stop and look at the world around him differently, pausing to observe the beauty in nature that surrounds him. This turning point marks the beginning of Montag’s change and quest to find self-identity, and to deflect from society. Following Montag’s realization that the government does not want him to read books, he realizes that books give him information that is not mindless and empty. Montag finds curiosity and language within books, further prompting him to save them. “The magic is only in what books say, how they stitched the patches of the universe together into one garment for us” (53). Beatty reveals to Montag that as the society around them grows shallower and intellectually vapid, their society stops reading books centered on instant thrill and gratification. In this culture, books become shorter while magazine and newspaper articles become easier to read. Television becomes more prevalent, and entertainment takes the place of intellectual debate and conversation. Guy Montag and Tris are linked through the desire to find themselves within the capricious and obedient society in which they live. Tris realizes the danger in choosing a different faction and how society views them as a threat, “divergence is extremely dangerous” (23). Tris’ inability to identify with a faction immediately makes her a threat to society, further conveying the need to be in line with society’s orders. Divergent and Fahrenheit 451 both exemplify the need to distinguish oneself from a rapidly conforming society.

 

Fahrenheit 451: Working Thesis, Example, and Working Title

Title: Dare to be Different

Thesis: The struggle for self-identity as a motif flows throughout Fahrenheit 451 as Bradbury illustrates through Guy’s decision to revolt, not conform, and ultimately break free.

Quotes: 
"It was a pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed. With the brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python spouting its venomous kerosene upon the world, the blood pounded in his head, and his hands were the hands of an amazing conductor playing all the symphonies of blazing and burning to bring down the tatters of history” (3).

“The magic is only in what books say, how they stitched the patches of the universe together into one garment for us” (53).

“Divergence is extremely dangerous” (23). 

Intro Paragraph: Fahrenheit 451

Ray Bradbury’s, Fahrenheit 451, published in 1951, is a dystopian novel that takes place in a futuristic American society. Throughout Fahrenheit 451, there is a reoccurring question of conformity as opposed to individuality. The need to find self-identity without becoming an outlaw within society is also depicted. Unlike traditional firemen, who are expected to save burning houses, Guy Montag is employed to burn books as well as the possessions of those who read them. Bradbury constantly calls into question devotion to society and how much the citizens are willing to alter their own beliefs in order to conform. Guy Montag, however, does not conform, but rather he stands firmly by his belief of performing traditional firemen duties. This re-emphasizes the question of how devoted to certain rules one must be before they become their own person and as a result, revolt. Much like in Veronica Roth’s novel, Divergent, the main character, Tris, has uncertainties regarding the faction in which she will join. The struggle for self-identity as a motif flows throughout Fahrenheit 451 as Bradbury illustrates through Guy’s decision to revolt, not conform, and ultimately break free.