Final answer:
In Fahrenheit 451, Contemporary magazines and newspapers (Option D) are considered to have the most negative effect on society by promoting superficial knowledge and impeding critical thinking, instead of the enduring and reflective qualities found in classic literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Type of Literature with Negative Effect in Fahrenheit 451
In Fahrenheit 451, the type of literature considered to have the most "negative" effect on society is D) Contemporary magazines and newspapers. This reflects the theme in Ray Bradbury's dystopian novel that centers on the suppression of ideas and critical thinking through the censorship of books.
In the society Bradbury describes, such contemporary publications promote superficial knowledge and diminish intellectual engagement, mirroring a societal inclination towards quick entertainment over lasting literary works. Classic novels plays, and poems, which offer profound reflections on philosophy and humanity, are antithetical to this regime, while magazines and newspapers represent fleeting concerns that do not bolster critical thought.
Literature serves as a cultural mirror, at times celebrating positive values, while also reflecting society's darker aspects, such as discrimination or injustice. Science fiction, for instance, often explores the social and political consequences of technological advancements. Yet, it is the transient nature and superficiality of contemporary magazines and newspapers in Fahrenheit 451 that is seen as most detrimental, contributing to societal decay by forgoing the enduring qualities of literature that challenge, inspire, and foster introspection.