Question

Book: Fahrenheit451

Write an essay on the dystopian element that influenced Montag in two ways. Write in Aced It format.

Assertion: state your argument

Context: explain a specific part of your assertion OR tell what’s going on at the time of your evidence

Evidence: Quotation from the text that supports your assertion “…..” (35).

Deconstruct: Quote the quote. Unpack your example. When the author says, ___, he reveals ____.

Impact: Why is this important to the text? To the world?

Write two Aced It on each of the two ways the dystopian element influenced Montag.

Answer 1

In Ray Bradbury's novel Fahrenheit 451, the dystopian element of censorship and suppression of knowledge significantly influences the protagonist, Montag. The government in this society strictly controls what information and ideas are allowed to be shared with the public, as symbolized by the fireman's helmet numbered 451. "With his symbolic helmet numbered 451 on his stolid head, and his eyes all orange flame with the thought of what came next, he flicked the igniter and the house jumped up in a gorging fire that burned the evening sky red and yellow and black" (Bradbury, 53). This suppression of knowledge causes Montag to question the values and beliefs of his society and leads him to seek out forbidden knowledge. "It was a pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed" (Bradbury, 53).

Additionally, Montag begins to realize the dangers of censorship and the importance of knowledge and ideas. In the novel, books are described as a reminder of human fallibility and the importance of knowledge. "The books are to remind us what asses and fools we are. They're Caeser's praetorian guard, whispering as the black boy talks to the white boy, `Remember, remember, this is important'" (Bradbury, 60). This lack of critical thinking and narrow worldview motivates Montag to become a rebel against the oppressive regime and to fight for the right to access knowledge and ideas. "I want to be the man who walked into the sea, and giving all he had to the world, said, 'This is the best I can do. This is the best I can do'" (Bradbury, 71).

Overall, the dystopian element of censorship and suppression of knowledge has a profound impact on Montag, causing him to challenge the status quo and to seek out the truth. This element serves as a warning against the dangers of limiting access to knowledge and the importance of critical thinking in a society. "The people will be destroyed, because they are human beings. They have their own minds, they have their own souls, they have their own fingers" (Bradbury, 78).