Thoughts on Fahreinheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Perhaps, we are already close. I recently read a dystopian fiction by Ray Bradbury titled Fahreinheit 451. The setting of place is in dystopian America where firemen are burning books because it provides knowledge that the ruling government doesn't want its citizen to know. Instead, the ruling government provides more entertainment and short information so there's a little room for people to think. Also, in the book it argues that if all people think the same, there will be no conflict.
Interestingly, in the book, it said that books and thinking only create unhappiness. It also argued that people only wants happiness. Somehow, I agree to some extend. Reading and thinking make us unhappy. By reading, we will understand that there's something missing in our environment and society. We also tend to question a lot even about ourselves and divinity. Hence, it is no wonder that some great people suffer with the idea of happiness and even committed suicide. However, without book we will not learn anything new nor even understand what is happiness or why people act in a certain way. Because, I personally believe, sometimes we have questions that can't be answered just by a simple yes or no.
In the book, there are so many similarities with our current society. For instance, school does not teach the student to think instead they all sit like plants, being fed on information. Also people are consuming and spending their time more on parlour a.k.a television. They also don't sit around in their front porch with their neighbors or family. There was even little room for activities like that. Not only that, they were all into consumerism. They want the latest, biggest parlour installed in their home. These are strikingly familiar with the size of screen that we have these days.
Even as a literature students, many I know aren't going to read paperbooks anymore if not assigned. It's very rare for students to read homer, hamlet, or even the history of beowulf. We forget about the classics that teach us history, nationalism, cultural pride, heroism, relationship and friendship. These days, we tend to focus on post-modernism and identity politics that eventually will leave a little room for diversity in thoughts.
I enjoy the book a lot until the point I am unhappy after reading the last page. I wish there will be a sequel to the book, even prequel which tell the history of why the ruling government decide to burn the books. I really suggest to read this book at least once in a lifetime.