Introduction to Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury Adapted from the Fahrenheit 451 Teacher’s Guide

“You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” -Ray Bradbury, "Reader's Digest", January 1994Ray Bradbury

The Author – Ray Bradbury Wrote for Alfred Hitchcock & “The Twilight Zone” TV show Wrote for Alfred Hitchcock & “The Twilight Zone” TV show Author of more than 500 published works Author of more than 500 published works Social Critic: Analyzes problems in society and proposes solutions by specific measures, radical reform, or even revolutionary change Social Critic: Analyzes problems in society and proposes solutions by specific measures, radical reform, or even revolutionary change

Bradbury tries to “prevent the future,” not “predict the future,” but he actually does anticipate the future Bradbury tries to “prevent the future,” not “predict the future,” but he actually does anticipate the future –Seashell radios in this novel were a prediction of the Walkman –Big-screen and interactive TV/Wii –Population explosion –Rise in violence (including gun violence) –Growing illiteracy –Condensation of information into what we now call “sound bites”

Dystopian vs. Utopian Literature Utopian literature describes an ideal (imaginary) world. Utopian literature describes an ideal (imaginary) world. Dystopian literature paints the opposite of the ideal world, a place that is highly unpleasant, such as a government that seeks total control of Dystopian literature paints the opposite of the ideal world, a place that is highly unpleasant, such as a government that seeks total control of individuals' lives. A fatal flaw individuals' lives. A fatal flaw has occurred to destroy the has occurred to destroy the intended perfect world (utopia). intended perfect world (utopia).

Other Dystopian novels/stories 1984 by George Orwell 1984 by George Orwell The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood Animal Farm by George Orwell Animal Farm by George Orwell Anthem by Ayn Rand Anthem by Ayn Rand “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut The Giver by Lois Lowry The Giver by Lois Lowry The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Historical Context Written in the 1950s Written in the 1950s World War II ( ) had just ended; the US had dropped the first atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki World War II ( ) had just ended; the US had dropped the first atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bradbury was influenced by the Bradbury was influenced by the book burnings of the Nazi book burnings of the Nazi regime in Germany during the regime in Germany during the 1930s 1930s

Political repression and dictatorship in Soviet Union and fascist Spain after World War II: books were banned and intellectuals persecuted. Political repression and dictatorship in Soviet Union and fascist Spain after World War II: books were banned and intellectuals persecuted. By 1949, communism had spread to Eastern Europe and China By 1949, communism had spread to Eastern Europe and China After World War II: Europe & US vs. the Soviet Union in what was called the “COLD WAR.” The threat of nuclear war increased (more on this to come). After World War II: Europe & US vs. the Soviet Union in what was called the “COLD WAR.” The threat of nuclear war increased (more on this to come).

By mid-1950s, nearly 60% of Americans were members of the middle class; By mid-1950s, nearly 60% of Americans were members of the middle class; –More $$$ to buy things. –Consumerism = Success –Increased technology The electronics industry became the 5 th largest industry. Television had a widespread impact in American homes The electronics industry became the 5 th largest industry. Television had a widespread impact in American homes The increase in prosperity after the war led to an increased passivity and conformity. Jobs were plentiful and the common adage of the time period was “follow orders, and you will succeed.” The increase in prosperity after the war led to an increased passivity and conformity. Jobs were plentiful and the common adage of the time period was “follow orders, and you will succeed.”

Fear Leads to Censorship Fears that the Soviet Union was going to attack and take over the US democracy lead to mass paranoia and intense fear among the American public Fears that the Soviet Union was going to attack and take over the US democracy lead to mass paranoia and intense fear among the American public The world could now be destroyed by the push of a button The world could now be destroyed by the push of a button Senator Joseph McCarthy began a campaign to root out secret Communists in the government and entertainment industry Senator Joseph McCarthy began a campaign to root out secret Communists in the government and entertainment industry

McCarthy charged, without evidence, that dozens of government officials and artists were secret members of the Communist Party. McCarthy charged, without evidence, that dozens of government officials and artists were secret members of the Communist Party. He formed the House Committee on Un- American Activities. He formed the House Committee on Un- American Activities. Films were censored, artists blackballed, and many people never worked again. Films were censored, artists blackballed, and many people never worked again. The public went along with the campaign, too afraid of nuclear war to stop the madness. Very few had the courage to speak up against the unjust persecution. The public went along with the campaign, too afraid of nuclear war to stop the madness. Very few had the courage to speak up against the unjust persecution. By the end of the 1950’s, former President Truman called the HCUA the “most un-American thing in the country today.” By the end of the 1950’s, former President Truman called the HCUA the “most un-American thing in the country today.”

Issues/Themes to Watch For The dangers of technology The dangers of technology Censorship/Free Speech Censorship/Free Speech –The importance of books Individualism vs. Apathy Individualism vs. Apathy –the power of one person, following what they know to be right & without regard for the cost, to change the world Government Corruption/Political Repression Government Corruption/Political Repression Alienation & Loneliness vs. True Happiness Alienation & Loneliness vs. True Happiness

In 1979, Bradbury discovered that his own editors had censored language in 75 separate sections of Fahrenheit 451 without his knowledge or consent! “Students, reading the novel which, after all, deals with censorship and book-burning “Students, reading the novel which, after all, deals with censorship and book-burning in the future, wrote to tell me of this exquisite irony.”

Some banned books from around the world: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn by Mark Twain Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn by Mark Twain Hamlet & MacBeth by Wm. Shakespeare Hamlet & MacBeth by Wm. Shakespeare To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Frankenstein by Mary Shelley The Bible and The Q’uran The Bible and The Q’uran Little Red Riding Hood Little Red Riding Hood For more information: books.html

Consider this: “There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches.” - Ray Bradbury - Ray Bradbury –Is there ever a time when we should censor a book, a piece of art, etc? –Who gets to decide what gets censored and when? Government? Schools? Parents? Employers?