Compare And Contrast Essay On Fahrenheit 451

The perfect society. Is it even possible? Could mankind achieve utopia? Could there be complete happiness? In all the attempts so far, in books and real life, It has been impossible. In Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”, the people in this society burned books to keep people happy. And they lived in a society where they are constantly diverted from using their brain.“Fahrenheit 451” is similar and different from current society in both our families, and how we distract ourselves.
In “Fahrenheit 451”, families are disconnected and unwanted. This is what Mrs. Bowles has to say about her children, “I plunk the children in school nine days out of ten. I put up with them when they come home three days a month; it’s not bad at all. You heave them

into the ‘parlor’ and turn the switch. It’s like washing clothes; stuff laundry in and slam the lid.’...‘They’d just as soon kick as kiss me. Thank God, I can kick back.’ (92-93) No one sees in this society sees the value of family. Mrs. Bowles sends her kids off to boarding school and when they get home she puts them somewhere out of her way. People are so self absorbed in this society that they don't care if their children are in good care or if they are doing anything wrong. Instead of spending time with their real families they spend their time with T.V families. They read from a script and “interact” with these families. They have planned conversations. No opinion, or choice. Just a robotic “friend” on a screen, in a room. Montag says this to Millie, his wife, “Does the White Clown love you, Millie?” (73). He thought that she was too attached to her “family”, and he was right. Similarly, in our society we do love our phones and ipads and tablets. In fact we spend a lot of time using those devices. In school, at home, with friends. But there is still that bond found in a family that makes you feel like you can trust that person.
In addition to families, there is how we distract ourselves.

in “Fahrenheit 451” the people in this society are not allowed to think for themselves. In school, Clarisse, a character makes Montag realize what his society really is feels that, “... we never ask questions... they just run answers at you, bing-bing-bing...” (27). This shows that the people in this society are raised to “absorb” information, they never learn for it, the facts are useless. The society just gives them this information to make them feel like they are smart. When the main character Guy is on the subway, and ad is blasting so loud that he can't think about anything else. Only the Dentifrice commercial. And they are not allowed to own books or read them because books give you real knowledge and perspective. Also, something they use to stimulate their brains is driving fast. The people in this society drive fast and don't care if they hit anyone, they drive and drive and drive. Because they can, no reason, just because it gives they something to do. This quote summarizes all that Montag learns throughout his journey, “Off hours, yes. But time to think? If you’re not driving at hundred miles an hour, at a clip where you can’t think of anything else but the danger, then you’re playing some game or sitting in some room where you can’t argue with the four-wall television” (80). As shown in this quote, no one is allowed to rest, unless you’re sleeping of course. But if not then life is go, go, go. Do as

much as you can, don’t stop to think just do something, anything. In our society, if you were to go out to eat you would see couples and families “eating” a meal but everyone will have their phones out. Texting, playing games, watching videos, no one interacting or talking. Just staring at some screen, a distraction. But because our society has not reached a totally disconnected state, we still have empathy, we still can talk to someone without talking about ourselves or have to read off of some script. We still have and emotionally connection with other people and can understand what others are going through.
As you can see families and distractions are a big part of “Fahrenheit 451”. No one thinks and no one has that bond with family that lets you know that you are safe. Could a society really work like that? No connection, no love, no opinion. No individuality. Nothing but fake people, preplanned conversations and no knowledge. In this book it wasn't possible. And in this world, where culture and opinion is so greatly valued, that kind of society could never thrive, there would just be too many people that dont agree with how their lives were predetermined. I mean, would you be okay with that