Coming across a sci-fi novel like Fahrenheit 451, I have allowed my imagination to wander into the perspective of Mr. Bradbury. I have observed that the way we perceive reality isn't the same as he wanted them to be. It would be a menace if we were to live in a dystopian nation wherein everything is the exact contrary of what we deem as entertaining. Maybe we would have to live with chaos everyday. Everything may not be exactly the way it is but the bottomline is this novel is too fictional to be placed in the setting of the real world.
On the concept of firemen, the novel placed a very troubling position on how they are viewed by the public. Instead of them putting out fire, they start them. They have been an object of fear among the citizens because of their duty to burn houses where books are hidden. They are always on the lookout for people who are trying to go against the law. In our world, firemen are the people whom we deem as heroes. This is so because they put out fire and save residents from losing their loved ones. These men are on standby ready to put out any fire.
Basic human behavior can be separated from the two sources. The novel made their notion of happiness very shallow. This can be observed inside the character of Millie. From how we see her, she is already content with watching a show in the parlor and participating with them. Socialization and other leisure was never for her. Other citizens in this society were also forbidden from giving time to think deep or even be idle. Everyone had to walk fast or at least do something to shun all their thoughts. Even vehicles were running swiftly to the extent of not minding anyone in their way. On the contrary, our definition of happiness is not limited to a tube in a box or a four-walled room for that matter. Humans by nature want to go beyond, to explore outside of one's boundaries. We are dependent to other humans for relationships; hence the term, " No man is an island". We go out for leisure and adventure. We love to take time so we can savor the beauty of nature.
Technology was also used as a competing subject in the story. There was an existence of a Mechanical hound which was an aid for the search of hidden books. When he was on the run, Montag also used a radio to communicate with Faber that was in a form of a seashell. We take note that this novel was written in the 1950s where there was still no development in technology. Although the world we live in is in its advent of technology but we do not have such devices as they do. Animals like k9 dogs who are mostly Belgian Mallinois are used to detect bombs and other forms of terrorism. Our instruments for communication are radios, mobile phones and walkie-talkies that are carefully engineered by experts.
From a very dense view, it is obvious that Fahrenheit 451 is a novel that is too far from reality. What we say today is a whole lot different from that in the novel. It may feel like its real but its elements are not of the real world. Maybe we feel our society can turn into one like theirs, or being apathetic could kill anyone on the field. I believe that I'm so many puzzling clouds that I couldn't figure out on my own. Now, we leave the judgement to Mr. Bradbury himself and his wild imagination.
0 comments:
Post a Comment