One of the authors who I had been meaning to check out for a while is Ray Bradbury, having been intrigued by what I had read and heard about his work and life. So, whilst in a bookshop the other day, I took the plunge, and purchased Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles.
First to receive my attention has been Fahrenheit 451. These are my own observations on what I think that Bradbury was trying to say, and the themes of the book. I accept that others may place different interpretations on things!
The plot concerns a future dystopian society (it is not specified which year this was), in which books have been banned, and the main role of firemen is now to burn any books which come to light. The main character, Guy Montag, is a fireman who begins to question the status quo. This process is accelerated following Montag's discussions with a girl by the name of Clarisse McLellan, who has managed to retain some imagination,curiosity and appreciation of life for its own sake.
As Montag wrestles with his conscience, we learn more about the circumstances in which people are living. Books have been outlawed because they encourage creative and critical thinking, and these things in turn engender inquisitiveness, doubt, uncertainty and instability. The mass media, medicines and repression are used to crush these things, in favour of certainty, homogeneity and equality of outcomes.
At various stages, Montag's resolve wavers, and we wonder whether he will decide to acquiesce, and become subsumed into the sheep-like majority, observing the maxim "anything for a quiet life". Eventually, following the plan by the firemen to burn books concealed at his own house, he makes his bid for freedom, linking up with a group of intellectuals who are dedicated to preserving knowledge by memorizing books. The story ends with an apocalyptic war, and the opportunity for some kind of "rebirth".
The first thing which occurred to me when reading Fahrenheit 451 was the style of story-telling. No detailed explanations are given of some of the elements of this dystopia, and readers are left to deduce some things for themselves. This is partially the case with the Mechanical Hound, which is the subject of several of the most harrowing passages.
Some of the stark imagery in the novel is really quite unsettling, but probably essential in conveying events, and concentrating the mind of the reader.
Fahnrenheit 451 was published in 1953, and thankfully most of the restrictions depicted within have not yet materialised in our world. However, whilst reading the book I was conscious of the extent to which some of the phenomena discussed therein have seeped into our existence. Indeed, it is believed that in writing the novel, Ray Bradbury was commenting on the direction of post-war America.
In the novel, much is made of the use of "trash" culture and medicines to induce a type of numbness, helping to create an illusion of happiness, activity and prosperity, and as a means of suppressing original and dissenting thought. Filling the minds of the populace with ample but useless information. In our own 21st century context, reality TV and consumerism are added to this cocktail. Suitably anaesthetized, people allow their thinking to be done by others on their behalf.
There are several quite disturbing references in the work where characters display a chillingly blase and matter-of-fact attitude to war, violence and death. Of course, such "desensitization" is often remarked upon as a cause for concern in current times. People becoming divorced from pity, empathy and emotion.
One of the scenes in the novel which had the most prescience was the one in which politics was discussed. The merits of presidential candidates were debated entirely in terms of their physical appearance, speaking style or perceived personal charisma. Ideas, principles and values were of secondary importance. Does that sound familiar? The phrase "dumbing down" had not yet been coined in the early 1950s....
Another part of Fahrenheit 451 which jumped out of the page was the effort by the authorities to orchestrate the manhunt for Montag. When the fugitive proved elusive, matters were stage-managed in front of the TV cameras, and an innocent person used as a "prop". All to keep the masses docile and subservient. In the view of the powers-that-be, the ends justified the means. Truth and justice were secondary. Shades of 21st century media manipulation...
What conclusions do we draw from the fact that Guy Montag finally resorted to violence? Was the author hinting that subjugation can only go so far before some citizens "snap"? On the other hand, matters truly came to a head when the books in Montag's house were discovered. Is it the case that humans often only lash out when their own domain is threatened? Montag's own moral compass seems confused in this part of the story, perhaps illustrating how repression causes people to behave irrationally and vengefully.
The dilemmas faced by some of the characters also pose the question of whether in life we should accept things as they are, however unsatisfactory, or rather be true to ourselves. The latter course of action may lead to doubt and uncertainty, but allows us to feel truly alive, vibrant and fulfilled.
Fahrenheit 451 is definitely one of those novels which sets you thinking....
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