The Unknown Can Hurt Us
Humanity can be hurt by censorship. Whether it’s in the newspaper or on television, censorship can affect our society. In the year of 1953 Ray Bradbury wrote a book titled Fahrenheit 451. In this novel, Bradbury creates a dystopian society where the government has total control over It’s citizens. Owning books is considered a crime, and fireman are hired to create fires to punish those who own books. Although censorship can help to control panic and fear within a society, Ray Bradbury is right: humanity cannot thrive where there is censorship because people cannot be true to themselves, society is unable to evolve, and it can negatively influence one’s opinions.
Firstly, where there is censorship within a society people cannot be true to themselves. Censorship can cause one to be insecure about their decisions because they are afraid of being judged by others. For instance in The Pedestrianby Ray Bradbury, if one went against the ways of society they are thought to be insane: “The gray or multicoloured lights touching their faces, but never really touching them. “ No profession,” said the phonograph voice, hissing. “What are you doing out?” Walking said Leonard Mead.” (Bradbury, The Pedestrian). Mead went against the orderly ways of society, all he wanted to do was simply walk, but because it was not common to walk at night Mead was thought to be batty. Censorship can create a brainwashed society and make one question what makes them truly happy.
Secondly, where there is censorship within humanity it can not enable our society to evolve. For instance, if no one ever shared ideas humanity could be stuck in time. In the novel Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury creates a dystopian society that is censored by the government. Fireman are sent to burn books: “Monday burn Millay, Wednesday Whitman, Friday Faulkner, burn em to ashes, then burn the ashes. That’s our official slogan” (Bradbury, Chapter 1). There have been no new ideas formed to generate the thought that books could be a beneficial thing to include in society. Without citizens sharing their ideas or beliefs it creates a dilemma in the way humanity evolves.
Thirdly, censorship can negatively influence one’s opinions by shaping a person’s reality to create an illusion. In the novel Fahrenheit 451 Mildred says: “It’s really fun. It’ll be even more fun when we can afford to have the fourth wall installed” (Bradbury, Chapter 1). Mildred is influenced by her peers, she believes she needs material items in order to live a happy life. In the novel Fahrenheit 451 books are illegal to own and technology is commonly used in their society. The government abandoned the use of books in hopes to protect society from what they may not want to know. The government has closed the door to the opportunities that books may present and brainwashed society into believing the governments point of view, on how books are dangerous. Censorship has created an illusion and has forced society to blindly subscribe to it.
In conclusion Bradbury is right: humanity cannot thrive where there is censorship, because people cannot be true to themselves, society is unable to evolve, and it can negatively influence one’s opinions. In the novel Fahrenheit 451Bradbury shows us the affects censorship can have on a dystopian society, and how it is able to cause humanity severe harm. What would it be like to live in a world knowing the truth?
Works Cited
Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. Ballantine Books, 1953.
Bradbury, Ray. The Pedestrian. The Reporter, 1951.
2 things I did well.
- I had no errors in my thesis
- I had good transition words
2 things I need to improve.
- Expand on my ideas
- Find ways to incorporate my quotes