Final answer:
In Ray Bradbury's 'Fahrenheit 451,' society is depicted where books are banned, and intellectualism is suppressed, aligning with option b). Technology is used for control, and the government limits critical thinking and free information. The correct answer is option b) A society where books are banned, and intellectualism is suppressed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The societal norms and expectations depicted in Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 align with option b) A society where books are banned, and intellectualism is suppressed. This dystopian world is characterized by an authoritarian government that controls information and maintains power by limiting the citizen's ability to think critically and freely.
In Bradbury's novel, books are outlawed, and 'firemen' are employed to burn any that are found, as the act of reading is seen as a source of unrest and dissent. The story is a warning against the potential consequences of allowing the government to dominate and control knowledge and encourages readers to think about the importance of intellectual freedom and the role of books in society.
In Fahrenheit 451, technology plays a significant role but rather than leading to positive advancements, it serves as a tool for suppression and control. People are engrossed in their screens, disconnected from one another, and from a true understanding of the world. This portrayal is akin to Weber's concept of an 'iron cage', where society is trapped within a web of technological advancement and rigid norms, leaving little room for individual thought or change.