‘Panem et circenses’. ‘Bread and circuses’. This ancient Latin phrase helps one to understand the mindset of the characters in Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury. The Roman emperors were in great control because they provided the two main things their subjects desired most- food and entertainment. The government-subsidized events held at the Colosseum were fully welcoming and open to those of all social classes. Like sheep, the common masses of Rome knew that they were being given something in return for their participation- and willingly continued in their actions. Emperors used events like this to sway their votes, opinions, or theological beliefs. Citizens paid to be entertained, drink wine, be fed false information, and be distracted
…show more content…
Mrs. Montag and her friends seem to be constantly enthralled by the superficial TV shows they watch, even going so far as to call the characters in the programs their ‘family’. While watching his wife be engulfed in a show, Montag overhears ‘cousins’ and ‘aunts’ talking. (Bradbury, PAGE). Although people today may not relate themselves to their TV characters, many do obsess over the events of a show. Internet television websites like Netflix and Hulu tempt us to procrastinate, distract us, and most often keep us from socializing with our families. Montag often returns home from work to find his wife drinking with her friends, while they are entranced with a show. Their brainless commentary is only made up of reiterating what the others are saying. (Bradbury, 93). One of Mildred’s acquaintances, Mrs. Bowles, even uses her parlor walls to practically raise her children. She uses the analogy of doing laundry to describe her relationship with her kids: “ ‘You heave them into the parlor and turn the switch.’ ” (Bradbury, 96). In America today, many school-age kids are often found sitting behind a monitor or television set for hours on end after the school day, letting their minds dull, instead of participating in other, more cognitive activities. The theme of all age groups being obsessed and absorbed with the …show more content…
The extent of world news that the characters of the novel are exposed to is slim to none. Many have no knowledge of the war that is waging around them, or rather choose to ignore it. Mrs. Phelps, whose husband is away, fighting, is led by the government to think that “ ‘He’ll be back next week. Forty-eight hours, they said, and everyone home. That’s what the army said. Quick war. Pete was called yesterday, and they said he’d be back next week.’ ” (Bradbury, 94). Instead of researching and finding out why her husband may be being sent to his death, Mrs. Phelps ignorantly believes that her husband will return just as quickly as he left. The characters’ seeming lack of knowledge is partially due to the authority above them, who could easily produce a parlor-wall show that would inform the public of the happenings outside their city that are speedily approaching their homes. Laziness and complacency attribute to America’s ignorance of worldwide affairs, and the jurisdiction of the government squashes those who try to inform the masses. In an attempt to cover up heinous events in American history, the government releases only enough information to make one think they know the story. Many times, it is to ‘protect’ government officials that may have been involved, but some
Mrs. Montag and her friends seem to be constantly enthralled by the superficial TV shows they watch, even going so far as to call the characters in the programs their ‘family’. While watching his wife be engulfed in a show, Montag overhears ‘cousins’ and ‘aunts’ talking. (Bradbury, PAGE). Although people today may not relate themselves to their TV characters, many do obsess over the events of a show. Internet television websites like Netflix and Hulu tempt us to procrastinate, distract us, and most often keep us from socializing with our families. Montag often returns home from work to find his wife drinking with her friends, while they are entranced with a show. Their brainless commentary is only made up of reiterating what the others are saying. (Bradbury, 93). One of Mildred’s acquaintances, Mrs. Bowles, even uses her parlor walls to practically raise her children. She uses the analogy of doing laundry to describe her relationship with her kids: “ ‘You heave them into the parlor and turn the switch.’ ” (Bradbury, 96). In America today, many school-age kids are often found sitting behind a monitor or television set for hours on end after the school day, letting their minds dull, instead of participating in other, more cognitive activities. The theme of all age groups being obsessed and absorbed with the …show more content…
The extent of world news that the characters of the novel are exposed to is slim to none. Many have no knowledge of the war that is waging around them, or rather choose to ignore it. Mrs. Phelps, whose husband is away, fighting, is led by the government to think that “ ‘He’ll be back next week. Forty-eight hours, they said, and everyone home. That’s what the army said. Quick war. Pete was called yesterday, and they said he’d be back next week.’ ” (Bradbury, 94). Instead of researching and finding out why her husband may be being sent to his death, Mrs. Phelps ignorantly believes that her husband will return just as quickly as he left. The characters’ seeming lack of knowledge is partially due to the authority above them, who could easily produce a parlor-wall show that would inform the public of the happenings outside their city that are speedily approaching their homes. Laziness and complacency attribute to America’s ignorance of worldwide affairs, and the jurisdiction of the government squashes those who try to inform the masses. In an attempt to cover up heinous events in American history, the government releases only enough information to make one think they know the story. Many times, it is to ‘protect’ government officials that may have been involved, but some