Beatty’s Lecture

Question: What reasons does Beatty give for the state of society and for books being destroyed?

The main reason that Beatty gives for the burning of books is that knowledge creates conflict. It is also implied that it gives the government more control.  To elaborate, Beatty believes that books must be destroyed because they spread knowledge that in turn leads to conflict and unhappiness. Beatty tells Guy Montag “If you don’t want a man unhappy politically, don’t give him two sides of a question to worry him” (p. 61). If people are given knowledge it can lead to people having different opinions. To also use an example from our society today, if someone has the opinion that abortion should be legalized, others may think different. Therefore, there is conflict in society. Another reason Beatty justifies the burning of books is that in society there is less need for people of intelligence. Since books can be an outlet for intellectuals, society should not have them. As Beatty said: “With schools turning out more jumpers, racers, tinkerers, grabbers, snatchers fliers, and swimmers instead of examiners, critics, knowers and imaginative creators, the word ‘intellectual’ of course became the swear word it deserved to be” (p. 58). Beatty is saying that society is better off without intellectuals because they too, bring conflict. It is also noteworthy that intellectuals and knowledge challenge the governments control in this dystopia and in real life. If people do not learn to question the way they live it is easy to control them. In conclusion Beatty truly believes that books must be burnt because they spread knowledge and knowledge brings allows people to think for themselves and have their own opinions. Thus, without books, there will be no conflict in society, and it will be easier for the government to control it’s populous.