Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury
We had a terrific turnout for May’s meeting to discuss Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury. The book is about a different time where books are illegal to have, so no one reads anymore. People get their information (mis-information) and entertainment via large television screens on all four walls. Fireman don’t put out fires but rather start them, cleansing the world of people who are caught with books, burning their homes down as punishment not only for them but as a deterrent for others who might still believe in individual ideas rather than group thought. The protagonist is Guy Montag, a fireman who is questioning his very way of being and as we later find out, has been harboring books in a hideaway. His journey of self-discovery leads him to others like him and they lie in wait for that moment when they can begin to teach others what they’ve lost. It’s a must-read book, so if you haven’t read it, please do so. I’ll warn you though – it’s uncanny how it still translates to our current environment.
The book was originally published in 1951, yet it still seems so relevant today. For example, with the advent of the internet, the ease of using our smart phones to get information and even read snippets of newspaper articles or opinion pieces in the form of character limitations with twitter handles seem to be in line with shorter attention spans and the need to get information immediately, even if it’s wrong. Sensationalism sells and people flock to it like flies to candy, savoring every last word as if it were truth. Critical thinking? Nah, that takes too much time and energy. Just tell us what you want us to know and we’ll be good to go. Better yet, we’ll believe you because you say it’s true. Shorter attention spans? You bet! Searching for the truth on our own takes too much time, so we look for soundbites and glimpses. We think that’s all we need to understand what’s really going on. Really??
I should quit before I get on my soapbox. Okay, I’m on the soapbox so I’ll step down now. I made my point, I think. Or did I?
If you’re interested in more about the book, there’s a couple of movies out there that might be fun to watch. There’s also an opinion piece by Ramin Bahrani hat you can link to. Yes, I realize the irony of what I just wrote but movies versus books is another discussion altogether. And links to essays means you don’t have to go looking for them. Okay, I’m done now!!
See you next month for our discussion on the book Into the Magic Shop, by James R. Doty. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Take Care, Donna
