Banned Book of the Month: Fahrenheit 451
Cover by Bradbury
Emersen Cwiklinski
About the Author: Fahrenheit 451 is written by Ray Bradbury and was first published in 1953. Ray Bradbury was an American author who is best known for writing books of social criticism with a poetic style. He includes futuristic, dystopian settings to criticize politics and the government. Bradbury grew up in Illinois and had a love for science and writing, influencing him to pursue a career in writing books. Bradbury became highly successful with his career as an author and is best known for Fahrenheit 451, Dandelion Wine, A Medicine for Melancholy, and many others. Bradbury has received many awards such as the National Medal of Arts award in 2004, and a special citation from the Pulitzer Prize Board in 2007.
Summary: Fahrenheit 451 follows the story of a man named Guy Montag in a communist, dystopian society following World War 2. Montag is a fireman who, rather than puts out fires, starts them. Firemen in Fahrenheit 451 are responsible for starting fires to books and literature. If a household has any books, the firemen are called to light the house on fire until any trace of writing is extinguished. Montag meets a teenage girl named Clarisse McCellan. Clarisse is an outgoing young girl who meets Guy in their neighborhood and she becomes the catalyst for Montag’s character development. McCellan sparks the idea that literature is necessary for forming new ideas and educating people, especially in a world overcome by communism.
After thought provoking conversations with McCellan and a troublesome experience with a victim of a book burning, Montag’s world starts falling apart; he becomes unhappy with his way of life and starts to question his values. He begins to skip work and collects books in secret until his fire chief, Captain Beatty, becomes suspicious of his activity. Montag proceeds to become more outspoken on the negative aspects of being a fireman and the importance of books. Eventually, McCellan no longer is a part of Montag’s life and a new catalyst to Montag’s decisions is introduced—Faber. Faber is a retired professor who pushes the importance of literature onto Montag and helps him escape the communist ideas of the government. After a destructive event to Montag’s home and family, he must avoid any connection to the government and find solace in literature.
Why it’s banned: Fahrenheit 451 is banned in many locations outside of the USA, such as areas in South Africa, because of its vulgar language and government criticism. The criticism against the communist style of government is what causes Fahrenheit 451 to be banned in locations where communist ideologies are present. Some ideas introduced in Fahrenheit 451 are also said to offend certain moral and ethical beliefs. Some states in the USA haven’t fully banned Fahrenheit 451, but it has created censorship by removing certain chapters and elements from the book when published. Some schools in America are still actively trying to challenge having the book in school.
If looking for a copy of Fahrenheit 451, Hamilton High School as well as Pauline Haass Public Library offers copies. Check out Fahrenheit 451 for your next read!
