An Introductory Powerpoint: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Lecture notes of Technology

Download An Introductory Powerpoint: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and more Lecture notes Technology in PDF only on Docsity! The temperature at which book paper catches fire and burns An Introductory Powerpoint: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Fahrenheit 451 • 1947 – began as “Bright Phoenix” which contained seed for… • 1951 – “The Firemen,” a short story published in Galaxy magazine and expanded… • 1953 – Fahrenheit 451, a novel written at a time when the world was threatened by nuclear war, new technologies were emerging, and the world was getting smaller due to technology. Historical Context What Was Happening in the World in the 1950s? • World War II had ended only a few years earlier. • Nuclear warfare loomed. • More jobs led to Americans having more discretionary income which led to increased passivity and conformity and the adage of: “Follow orders, and you will succeed.” • Era of McCarthyism brought new vigor to Truman’s hunt for Communist infiltrators. • Technology/electronics expansion included the use of televised surveillance footage for many purposes and the condensation of information into sound bites. • Illiteracy was growing. Lasting Effects of WWII • During Hitler’s power reign, he burned many books. • The Soviet Union banned and burned many books. • Communist China burned many books. The novel condemns this anti-intellectualism. Threat of Nuclear War Following WWII and the use of the atomic bomb, the nation and the world lived in fear of a nuclear war. üBomb shelters built. üWarning systems initiated. üDrills in schools practiced. Expansion of Technology & Electronics • Television had a widespread impact on American life. *1945 – Fewer than 10,000 TV sets existed in the US. *1950 – More than 6 million TV sets existed in the US. *1960 – More than 60 million TV sets existed in the US. • The electronic industry became the 5th largest industry. • McCarthyism used television to conduct his anti-communist witch-hunt. • Technology made the world so much smaller. • Information was now condensed into “sound bites.” PREVENT Bradbury claimed he was trying to prevent the future, not predict it. PREDICT However, he did anticipate the future: • Seashell radios • Parlor walls • Interactive TV • Population explosion • Rise in violence • Growing illiteracy • Condensation of information • Dehumanization & impersonalization of life • Elimination of books • Loss of meaningful interaction with others • Surveillance by police and government • Reliance on technology to mediate all social experiences TWO CENTRAL THEMES CENSORSHIP • The suppression of speech or deletion of communicative material which may be considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient by a controlling group. • In the novel, it is ironic that censorship begins with the people not the government. • Ironically, Bradbury discovered that editors had censored language in 75 sections without his knowledge and consent. IGNORANCE VS KNOWLEDGE • Without the ability to think, people can not make wise decisions. • Is ignorance bliss, or do knowledge and learning provide true happiness? • In Fahrenheit 451 firemen promote ignorance by destroying books – and with them – knowledge. SETTING IN THE NOVEL • TIME: Future – Bradbury identifies the time period as 1999; Granger, a character from Part III mentions the atomic bomb’s destruction 50 years ago; other scholars identify time as 24th century • PLACE: America; Montag’s cold & violent city; the firehouse, Montag’s home (mausoleum-like), Faber’s home, simple forest • ATMOSPHERE: A repressive government censors all literature, citizens lives are filled with trivial distractions, people desire happiness in any way they can obtain it, technology rules, war is imminent, and people do not think for themselves. INTERNAL CONFLICTS IN THE NOVEL Man vs himself 1. Montag and his struggle to overcome his violent past and going against the tenets of his profession 2. Faber overcoming his fears and helping Montag EXTERNAL CONFLICTS IN THE NOVEL Man vs society Montag vs society Clarisse McClellan vs society Professor Faber vs society Man vs man Montag vs Beatty Montag vs Midlred