Individuality, the ideology of distinction, and conformity, the notion of conventionality, are continuously at odds with each other. Both notions derive from distinct ends of a spectrum and each has the essential purpose of suppressing the other. The relationship between the two concepts is a ceaseless conflict that results to nothing but repetition. One notion leads to the other notion and the cycle perseveres as such. Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, depicts how these two diverse concepts can integrate into one another. Ultimately, throughout the novel, an incessant cycle between individuality and conformity is established— an individual ideology advances into a conformed perspective, conformity initiates a need for change, and the need
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A singular perspective carries a promising competence that has the capacity to reign over the minds of the impressionable and eventually the minds of the masses. Throughout the novel, Captain Beatty possesses the belief that sets the stage for conformity in the society. His individual opinion is that a differing perspective is not worth the conflict that ensues. This is a notion that evolves into a widely-accepted social norm. In the text, Beatty states “We must all be alike. Not everyone born free and equal, as the Constitution says, but everyone made equal. Each man the image of every other; then all are happy, for there are no mountains to make them cower, to judge themselves against.” (58). His opinion revolves around eliminating all opposition and uniting the community through a repressed concord. Beatty’s perspective is an individual belief that gradually extends into the minds of others. Eventually, all that is left for their society is an epidemic of singular thought. The power of a particular idea can easily go from an individual’s mind to a community’s mindless acceptance of a conformed …show more content…
Montag quenches his thirst for knowledge by distancing himself from the environment that shackled him to societal standards. When he exits the defiled city and looks toward a new future, Montag states “I want to see everything now. And while none of it will be me when it goes in, after a while it’ll all gather together inside and it’ll be me” (161-162). Montag has gone beyond the point of interest and is looking towards becoming a new person. He, for the first time in his life, is going to mold who he becomes as a person without any interference from unwanted influence. His new sense of identity creates a new person with an altered perspective. However, when Montag is exiting the bombed city alongside the few survivors that remained, Granger states “And someday we’ll remember so much that we’ll build the biggest goddamn steamshovel in history and dig the biggest grave of all time and shove war in and cover it up. Come on now, we’re going to build a mirror factory first and put out nothing but mirrors for the next year and take a long look in them” (164). Montag and all of the other individuals are planning on starting a new society with one collective ideology — to be individuals. Despite the intent of non-conformity, their distinct desire for a new society will inevitably convert into a type of conventionality which enables the cycle to persist
A singular perspective carries a promising competence that has the capacity to reign over the minds of the impressionable and eventually the minds of the masses. Throughout the novel, Captain Beatty possesses the belief that sets the stage for conformity in the society. His individual opinion is that a differing perspective is not worth the conflict that ensues. This is a notion that evolves into a widely-accepted social norm. In the text, Beatty states “We must all be alike. Not everyone born free and equal, as the Constitution says, but everyone made equal. Each man the image of every other; then all are happy, for there are no mountains to make them cower, to judge themselves against.” (58). His opinion revolves around eliminating all opposition and uniting the community through a repressed concord. Beatty’s perspective is an individual belief that gradually extends into the minds of others. Eventually, all that is left for their society is an epidemic of singular thought. The power of a particular idea can easily go from an individual’s mind to a community’s mindless acceptance of a conformed …show more content…
Montag quenches his thirst for knowledge by distancing himself from the environment that shackled him to societal standards. When he exits the defiled city and looks toward a new future, Montag states “I want to see everything now. And while none of it will be me when it goes in, after a while it’ll all gather together inside and it’ll be me” (161-162). Montag has gone beyond the point of interest and is looking towards becoming a new person. He, for the first time in his life, is going to mold who he becomes as a person without any interference from unwanted influence. His new sense of identity creates a new person with an altered perspective. However, when Montag is exiting the bombed city alongside the few survivors that remained, Granger states “And someday we’ll remember so much that we’ll build the biggest goddamn steamshovel in history and dig the biggest grave of all time and shove war in and cover it up. Come on now, we’re going to build a mirror factory first and put out nothing but mirrors for the next year and take a long look in them” (164). Montag and all of the other individuals are planning on starting a new society with one collective ideology — to be individuals. Despite the intent of non-conformity, their distinct desire for a new society will inevitably convert into a type of conventionality which enables the cycle to persist