Why do books make us laugh, make us cry, give us hope, and bring up our darkest fears? Why are some books banned, censored and omitted from libraries and publications?Each person has there own answer and reason about these questions. For me reading is the great escape. I can jump into the characters head and experience the scene emotion, and feelings of the story or I can be a fly on the wall and watch. Reading Ray Bradberry's Fahrenheit 451 ten years apart was an interesting experience. So much was the same, yet so much had evolved over the last 9.5 years.
At the root of this book is Guy Montag self-discovery of the disillusion life he is living and the government and censorship that has been set up to enstill this culture of thoughtless living. Books, learning, and thinking are no longer needed because the parlor and superiors provide you with everything you may need. While jets circle overhead, there is no way that a war may actually attack the city. A young girl disappears, but she was thinking and caused trouble. Guy's job as a fireman burning books and being part of the censorship is done with a smile on his face until someone dies for her books. When Montag begins thinking for himself and reaching out to the only educated person he knows, his own moral discovery begins.
While I will not spoil the book for you or continue to analyze this book piece by piece (there are millions of reviews on this classic book), I do encourage everyone to read this book and think critically about why and how they read books. Montag lives in a world where books, education and culture are no longer prized. Where would you be without your education and culture?
I value my education and my love of reading above many, many things. I am grateful for the society and opportunities we have. While dsytopian literature probably won't happen, it is written to keep us aware of what could happen. Take a moment to reflect, become aware and read.
Tis the end of January on to 8.5 books of February.
Happy Reading!
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