Writing Fahrenheit 451 (Possible spoilers)

[OtakuSennen]

[color=midnightblue]Recently, I had to choose a novel I have not read for a book report,
chosen from a list of the top 100 novels college professors would like their students to
have read by the time they graduate high school. My literature teacher suggested
Fahrenheit 451, and I can't say that I was displeased with her proposal at all.

If you aren't familiar with the novel, Fahrenheit 451 takes place some time in the relatively near future; a time in which the masses are glued to their "parlor" walls, watching television and listening to radios placed in their ears. Houses are fireproof. And, because there's nothing to prevent from burning, firemen now burn the taboo books that have been made illegal to read.

The story follows Guy Montag, a fireman who ends up wrecking his entire life over a novel that he finds. Piece by piece, those around him fall victim to his plunge into isolation.

This novel had me completely enthralled from the moment I saw the intriguing cover art a week ago. By the time I got to page eleven I utterly refused to put that book down. I was first introduced to Ray Bradbury's work earlier this year when we read a short story of his entitled "Dark They were and Golden-Eyed".. Bradbury's sense of imagery and ability to create such original, vivid metaphors made me want to read more of his work in an
instant.

The fact that a novel written over fifty years ago that still seems like a viable future today is an admirable feat. Bradbury created a world that was the perfect mix of realism and fiction that paralells our world today in an eerily close fashion. Only some of the names, such as Mildred, for example, seem a bit out-dated. The fact that the masses are glued to their media is just like today- Let's just hope books (or, at least this one) are never
shunned by the public.

I feel the ending was a little too open, however. The description of the nuclear attack was a good way to finalize some things, but Montag just walking along with the Book Readers left me rather angry. I have heard that Bradbury wrote a screenplay that carried the story a little further, though, so I may search for that some time in the near future.

If you've read the book, how do you feel about it?[/color]

[Boba Fett]

[color=green]Sadly, I feel that the world of Fahrenheit 451 is a very possible future is our society continues to move in the direction I see it going today.

I cant tell you how many of my friends haven?t read a single English book since eighth grade. They?ve skimmed the spark notes and that?s that. As much as I try to persuade them to read the real thing, they brush me off. Not only are they not reading, they?re losing valuable lessons.

Reading as a leisure activity is also slowly dieing in most social circles I frequent. I am one of three people I know who read for fun. Most people in my school classes read solely because they are required to for school. If it were up to them?

It?s really scary how ignorant these people are. I can?t even convince my friends to join OB, because there?s apparently too much reading involved. They?d much rather play HALO or SOCOM.

I read the book in ninth grade as part of my English class and loved it. Not only was it well written, but Montag?s journey from ignorant follower to free-thinker was enthralling. Truly a great book; a must read for anyone who enjoys thought provoking literature.[/color]

[Guest ScirosDarkblade]

The movie Equilibrium borrows a bit from Fahrenheit 451. Well, it borrows stuff from Brave New World and other dystopian novels, but the opening scene in it really reminded me of Fahrenheit 451.

As for what I thought of the book... well I read it about 7 years ago, so I don't remember much, but I do know that I enjoyed it thoroughly. The idea of living in a world where literature is outlawed is disturbing because it IS possible. Well, maybe not literature, but something else on the same plane. It might not take too much. Say the U.S. suffers an extreme terrorist attack, such as a nuclear explosion, and the person behind it turns out to be someone who lived in the United States for some time. How many of these incidents would it take for the democracy to turn into a police state?

[eleanor]

[color=firebrick]When I started reading [i]Fahrenheit 451[/i], I thought it was interesting. Then I got extremely bored.

The message that Ray Bradbury was trying to get across was great, but I got very tired of his writing. I didn't even finish the book. I probably will one day, but I don't feel like it. I do think the world will [if we aren't killed by our mistakes first...and this is very, very, very, very far into the future] come to the point where literature is outlawed, but it seems even too extremely unrealistic today. The theme can definately apply to today's society, but again: I thought the writing itself was boring.

But if you really like dystopian books, check out [i]1984[/i] or [i] Brave New World[/i]. [/color]