Literary Essay

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Outline I. Introduction II. Body A. Mindless pleasure-seeking B. Overuse of technology C. Lack of knowledge III. Conclusion

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Table of Contents Literary Essay ........................................................................................................................4

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Esther Yoon Mrs. Panks Genre Literature 23 May 2011 Literary Essay If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner, said Omar Bradley, a general in the U.S. Army during WWII. The current age is an age of computers and technology with swift changes reshaping the world. In Fahrenheit 451, a novel that was written more than five decades ago, Ray Bradbury paints an alarming picture of the future. Guy Montag, the protagonist in this novel, lives an unhappy life with Mildred, his emptyheaded, pleasure-seeking wife. They live in a society where books are censored and burned and people have become shallow and cold. Technology and various forms of entertainment have replaced valuable human relationships and a need for knowledge. After realizing the miserable state of his society, Montag begins a struggle against everything he has ever known and becomes part of the hope for the birth of a new generation. As depicted in this novel, the combination of meaningless pleasure-seeking, overuse of technology, and lack of knowledge has the power to destroy society. Life in Montags society consists mostly of meaningless and mindless pleasure-seeking. In houses, walls are replaced with parlor screens that surround and constantly bombard people with colors and sounds. Mildred, Montags wife, watches the parlor screens as if to plunge, drop, fall into that swarming immensity of color to drown in its bright happiness. She spends most of her day watching plays and shows that have no actual plots or meaningful dialogue. Also, there are virtual families that chatter and prattle away with Mildred on the parlor screens. To Mildred, her family is real because they talk with her, laugh with her, and entertain
student 6/8/11 7:01 PM Comment: Addicted to entertainment and technology student 6/8/11 6:56 PM Deleted: indifferent. student 6/8/11 6:57 PM Deleted: that his society is in student 6/8/11 7:01 PM Comment: After his society is destroyed by bombings and warfare student 6/8/11 6:58 PM Deleted: half a century

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her with bright colors. Montag asks Mildred, Does your family love you, love you very much, love you with all their heart and soul, Millie? This shows how people have come to value virtual relationships rather than actual human interaction and relationships. Another form of entertainment is going to Fun Parks where people can wreck cars and smash windows. It is alarming how everyone seems to have drifted away from thinking for themselves and engaging in meaningful activities. With the whole population spending all their leisure time with mindless pleasures, it is inevitable that their society is in a steady state of decline and self-destruction. Another prevalent aspect in Montags society is the overuse of technology. There is an obsession over acquiring more and more technology as shown when Mildred says to Montag, If we had a fourth wall, why itd be just like this room wasnt ours at all but all kinds of exotic peoples rooms. We could do without a few things. Even though they recently had the third screen installed and currently cannot afford a fourth screen, Mildred whines to Montag that he doesnt consider her needs. There are also SeaShells, or little thimble radios that are very similar to modern day earphones. The SeaShells constantly flood people with waves of talk and music. Even though it is a basic courtesy to remove earphones when conversing with someone, people in Montags society are distant and indifferent and resort to lipreading. Technology in Montags world also leads to violence and destruction. Clarisse, a teenage girl who befriends Montag, says Im afraid of children my own ageSix of my friends have been shot in the last year alone. Ten of them died in car wrecks. Speeding cars often lead to car accidents to the point where deaths resulting from car wrecks have become very common. Nations at war use advanced weaponry, such as bombs, to wreak havoc and cause massive destruction. The excessive use of technology in Montags society causes its negative impacts to greatly outweigh its

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advantages. Yet another factor that is contributing to the destruction of Montags society is the general lack of knowledge. Faber, a retired English professor who also befriends Montag, says The televisor is real. It is immediate, it had dimension. It tells you what to think and blasts it in. Knowledge gives power and enables individuals to speak up for themselves with confidence. The people in this novel have rejected the knowledge and wisdom that books contain and have let the media tell them what to think instead. Faber also says, The public itself stopped reading of its own accordSo few want to be rebels any morePeople are having fun. Progress in society comes from people who think beyond the status quo, probe deeper, and question the world around them. However, the people around Montag have become indifferent and easily satisfied with their shallow lives. Montag realizes how people are fooling themselves into thinking they are happy with their aimless, materialistic lifestyles. Also, Mildred and her friends, Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Bowles, show how empty and vacant the minds of the people have become. They scream in delight over silly, frivolous things and there is no thought or depth to their conversations. Mildreds friends are also indifferent and cold to their children and husbands who have gone off to war. Mrs. Phelps says that her husband told her, If I get killed off, you just go right ahead and dont cry, but get married again, and dont think of me. Even during the presidential elections, Mildreds friends voted for the more handsome candidate without taking his qualifications or abilities into consideration. Humanity has been reduced to thoughtlessly sipping martinis and giggling wildly over entertaining lights and colors and music. With its overdependence on technology, mindless pursuits of pleasure, and lack of knowledge, Montags society is on a path of self-destruction. Those elements act

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like a slow-moving poison; at first, there arent any direct consequences. Finally, they reach a point where their whole city is destroyed by bombings and warfare. Another way that Montags society sets up its own demise is by censoring information. The right to free speech along with knowledge and wisdom are crucial components to the success of a society. Also, the beliefs of different authors should be respected, not censored. Humanity was created to be free and diverse and by encountering different beliefs and ideas, people often learn to think deeper and broaden their horizons. However, this futuristic society has been engulfed by its own ignorance, technology, and entertainment. In order to avoid meeting the fate predicted in this novel, modern society must maintain an open, inquisitive mind, and as General Bradley said, the people must be in firm control over technology.

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Bibliography "M.C. Escher." Encyclopdia Britannica. Encyclopdia Britannica Online. Encyclopdia Britannica, 2011. Web. 01 May. 2011. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/192344/M-C-Escher>.