“Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains” This quote, by Jean-Jaques Rousseau, perfectly describes Guy Montag’s mental and physical conflict in the book Fahrenheit 451. The novel, written by Ray Bradbury, is a fantastic story of a dystopian future. In this future, all books are banned. Firemen, instead of putting out fires, start them in homes where books have been found. The books are burned at 450 degrees fahrenheit. A fireman named Guy Montag picked up a book in a burning house, and suddenly his whole world changed. Fahrenheit 541 will change the outlook you have on everyday life.
There are many reasons that you should read this novel, and the first is that it's a classic. In 1953, when this book was published, it was during the early stage of the Cold War between the United States and Russia. Fahrenheit 541 displays communism at its worst. Although it's perceived as a dark novel, it has bright aspects of philosophy. There is a constant tug between good and evil, where hopefully good can prevail.
Today, thanks to our Declaration of Independence, the government controls limited aspects of our lives. Reading this book will allow you to appreciate the government we have today. In Fahrenheit 541, the government won't allow people to have a simple object such as a book in their home. They want people to believe what they want them to believe. If they read a book, they would become knowledgeable. Not having books makes the society ignorant, and it's easier to control people when they're in the dark about what the world could be like.
Reading Fahrenheit 541 will change your entire perspective of books. People today read books for pleasure, and some people even see reading as a chore. But imagine if reading, or even owning a book, was considered one of the most heinous crimes. There would be no more imagination in everyday life. Not having books would prevent people from learning about the past. If you don't know about the past, it could ruin our future. History repeats itself.
I believe that learning is knowledge, and you gain knowledge by reading. Knowledge also gives you power. Power is one thing that the society in Fahrenheit 541 did not have. This novel was incredible and it taught me not to take everyday things for granted. I definetley suggest that you read it too.
I think the strongest part of your argument was in your third body paragraph about imagining if reading was a crime, like it is in the book. This makes me 1, want to read a book, and 2, want to read this book because It is directly connected to the plot.
ReplyDeleteI think the weakest part is the first point made about how it is a classic. That isn’t a bad thing, I just think it is the weakest point in the writing piece, and it was smart to put it first and the stronger point last so that I was left with the impression of the stronger one.
I am convinced to read this book. There were a lot of times when I could really connect with your writing, for example “People today read books for pleasure, and some people even see reading as a chore.” Most of the time, I definitely see reading as a chore unless it is a good book, and this definitely sounds like a good book.