Conflict Between Man And Technology In Fahrenheit 451

Walking against the gradient that society puts forth poses an idea that challenges people everyday. For centuries, humans have questioned whether to cling to the status quo through art, music, and most prominently, through literature. Authors of short stories, poetry, and novels employ literary concepts such as characterization, external conflict, and imagery to exemplify the struggle of blending in. In Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, a man named Guy Montag is haltingly consumed with awareness of the flaws embroidered in his society. Montag, a fireman, works for the government to burn books as they are seen as a danger within his community. The book follows Montag as he transforms from a disciple of the government to an outright rebel.

Innumerable critics have read and analyzed Bradbury’s work such as Diane Telgen’s “Novels for Students: Fahrenheit 451”, and Donald Watt’s “Burning Bright: Fahrenheit 451 as a Symbolic Dystopia.” Each critical essay interprets the theme of Fahrenheit 451 through different concepts; however, it is known that Bradbury has meticulously developed a work of literature that strikingly exhibits the downfalls of societal expectations. It its entirety, Ray Bradbury uses conflict, characterization, and imagery throughout "Fahrenheit 451" to illustrate the common battle of overcoming society's expectations.

In “A Study of Allusions in Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451” by Peter Sisario, Sisario examines possible themes and symbols in the novel. He discusses the hopelessness that is tied to a community without individuality. Montag, the main character, completely evolves his notion of what is right and wrong, and eventually joins Faber, a retired professor who still craves knowledge in his old age, in a plan to duplicate the Book of Psalms, which Montag has stolen. With this being said, Sisario believes the community that Bradbury has built is currently at a standstill. Sisario notes, “Bradbury takes this problem to an extreme to show the potential effects of such a course on our culture … [he] seems to be saying that … we are currently at the bottom of an intellectual cycle … [and] we must blindly hope for an upward swing of the cycle”. Although a community without books may seem to have no promise of revival, the choice to ‘blindly hope’ for a turnabout is not the final option. When investigating further, it is apparent that people like Montag and Faber are the hope. Faber talks to Montag about gaining knowledge when he says, “But we do need a breather. We do need knowledge. And perhaps in a thousand years we might pick smaller cliffs to jump off of. The books remind us what fools we are” (Bradbury 82). This shows that although Faber and Montag are constantly surrounded by people who live blissfully in ignorance, they choose to gain knowledge and better themselves which will in result, betters their community. They are the people who take charge and push the cycle to swing upward rather than hoping for time to takes its toll. Montag and Faber are outcasts, defying the expectations around them, which is what Bradbury’s novel is really about.

One way Bradbury illustrates battle of overcoming society's expectations is through the build up of conflict between man versus technology.

In the first section of the book, Captain Beatty, the captain of the firestation and Montag’s boss, notes, “[The mechanical hound] doesn't like or dislike. It just 'functions’, It's like a lesson in ballistics. It has trajectory we decide on for it. It follows through...it's only copper wire, storage batteries, and electricity" (Bradbury 24). Throughout the novel it becomes clear, through the struggle between man and technology that the mechanical hound, a tool of the firemen, symbolizes all man-made technology. According to Diane Telgen, author of Fahrenheit 451, Novels For Students, Vol 1, “With the representation of the Mechanical Hound, Bradbury is able to convey how technological advances can be used for destructive purposes” (8). Telgen’s analysis alludes to the fact that with the power to create new technology advancements comes the decision whether to use it for destruction rather than development. Relating to Bradbury's background of World War II and the following threat of nuclear war, the novel represents whether or not people will individually use their power to destruct in a society booming with advancing technology. Faced with this same decision, Guy Montag must decide whether he is willing to transform into a ‘rebel’, rejecting his society’s common notions. Originally the agressor towards books, he molds into a protector of books, decisively not to using his power to destruct any more, reminding readers how misleading the societal expectations (the pressure to use technology to destruct) truly

are.

Another way in which Bradbury illustrates the struggle to stand out against the crowd is through his characterization of Clarisse, a friend of the novel’s protagonist Guy Montag. At the beginning of the book, Bradbury writes, “Then [Clarisse] … looked at [Montag] with wonder and curiosity. ‘Are you happy?’ she said” (7). Throughout the novel it becomes evident through Bradbury’s characterization that Clarisse’s curiosity is a symbol of innocence in a society full of corruption. However, Clarisse can never quench her thirst for knowledge as she is killed at a young age. Her disappearance and death can be categorized as a turning point in Montag’s journey towards becoming a rebel. According to Diane Telgen, author of Fahrenheit 451, Novels For Students, Vol 1, “Clarisse represents innocence. She questions the rationale of the ideas that govern Montag's life and is the stimulus that makes Montag begin to doubt what he is doing” (8). Telgen’s analysis alludes to the fact that Clarisse was the first factor in pushing Montag to develop outside of the social norm. Her innocence and curiosity sparked the fire in Montag to change his ways, and step out against what is expected. She is the control in a world skewed by status quos, representing who a person is before they are emerged in reality into a corrupt society, reminding readers once again how amiss societal expectations are.

A final way in which Bradbury exhibits the extreme shortcomings of society’s expectations is through his use of imagery throughout the novel. At the beginning of the novel, Bradbury writes about Montag, “He felt his smile slide away, melt, fold over and down on itself like a tallow skin, like the stuff of a fantastic candle burning too long and now collapsing and now blown out. Darkness” (9). Bradbury’s comparison of a dying candle to dying happiness creates a vivid image in the reader's mind. He relates a creeping depression that overcomes a person to the faint gust of wind that suddenly kills the candle. Both arrive slowly then without warning destroy what surrounds them- the flame and personal happiness. According to Donald Watt, author of Burning Bright: Fahrenheit 451 as a Symbolic Dystopia, “Bradbury's evocative, lyrical style charges Fahrenheit 451 with a sense of mystery and connotative depth that go beyond the normal boundaries of dystopian fiction” (1). Watt’s analysis expresses that Bradbury’s ability to paint clear pictures, due to his pictorial use of words, allows the reader to easily imagine Montag’s emotions throughout the novel as he transitions from a follower of his government to a insurgent with a cause. Because of this, the reader is able to completely immerse themselves into the trials that Montag is faced with. As the novel develops, the reader is able to relate to Montag and understand his struggles, while being consumed by the plotline Bradbury has smoothly developed. During Montag’s transformation, the reader is transformed alongside him. He evolves into a dynamic character that emerges as a rebel in a community consumed by the status quo, and this brings back readers to the true falsality of societal expectations that are placed in societies everywhere.

Standing out as in outcast in a world of people who yearn to be considered normal is an intimidating step that has conflicted people in communities around the world in every era. Whether it may be speaking out for religion or challenging the expectations of society, the decision to become a “rebel” is a choice everyone makes in their life. With this, literature can help people understand the motivations behind the social outcasts who walks on the path less taken. Bradbury’s use of conflict, characterization, and imagery in Fahrenheit 451 aid in illustrating this common, yet challenging, fight. His development of a conflict between man and technology presents the idea that every identity is given the choice to destruct, whether is be through technology, hands, or words; a choice that splits rebels from followers. His characterization of Clarisse works to reveal that curiosity and the urge to learn are powerful and key accessories in fighting expectations. Finally, his use of expressive imagery allows the reader to relate to every word, as someone can picture oneself fighting with Montag. Using these writing techniques, Bradbury shows that no matter the era: past, present, future, the ideas placed before us by society through mass media will not always be what is right. His timeless piece of literature embodies the journey of overcoming these expectations in way that can reach all generations.