At the dawn of democracy, people conjured an idea of natural rights expected at birth. These exact rights differed with perspective; however, all could be dissolved into a single idea of choice, the people could decide their own view of life and society. This brought about an idea of expression, and with the sharing of perceptions and viewpoints human society developed beyond the limits of singular thought. Culture thrived and ideas breached the boundary of time. In spite of this extreme increase in intellect though, this idea of free voice also carried conflict: not all opinions are the same. Ideas can vary as much as their creators, and with all the different perceptions, a clash of interest is inevitable. In fear of the wars free speech
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In Fahrenheit 451, books are banned and burned in society. In 5 Pointz, graffitists are looked down upon as delinquents. Both of these illegal activities have mixed opinion behind them; those in power view books and graffiti as dangerous, while those who create graffiti and write books view it as a translation of their passion. In Bradbury’s novel, the authority’s banning of books is due to the result of sharing ideas: by allowing books to display someone’s opinion, a clash of ideals could occur and those disagreements could erupt into war. The government sees the ban of books as a way to save readers from falsified or potentially violent information or thoughts. The feelings and motives of the government are revealed in Captain Beatty, the antagonist of Fahrenheit 451. It is clear by his references to Shakespeare and Icarus that he has been exposed to the ideas forbidden in the book’s society; however, he decides after reading books that their concepts are “nothing” one can “teach or believe” (Bradbury 62). He calls book “traitors”, saying that they “[back] you up” and then “turn on you” (106). Beatty also explains that the government’s ideal world of “serenity” and “peace” is a place without books (59). He represents the government’s stand on books, and conveys the merit of censorship to the reader. In 5 Pointz’s case, the area where graffiti artists gather was labeled dangerous and not what the
In Fahrenheit 451, books are banned and burned in society. In 5 Pointz, graffitists are looked down upon as delinquents. Both of these illegal activities have mixed opinion behind them; those in power view books and graffiti as dangerous, while those who create graffiti and write books view it as a translation of their passion. In Bradbury’s novel, the authority’s banning of books is due to the result of sharing ideas: by allowing books to display someone’s opinion, a clash of ideals could occur and those disagreements could erupt into war. The government sees the ban of books as a way to save readers from falsified or potentially violent information or thoughts. The feelings and motives of the government are revealed in Captain Beatty, the antagonist of Fahrenheit 451. It is clear by his references to Shakespeare and Icarus that he has been exposed to the ideas forbidden in the book’s society; however, he decides after reading books that their concepts are “nothing” one can “teach or believe” (Bradbury 62). He calls book “traitors”, saying that they “[back] you up” and then “turn on you” (106). Beatty also explains that the government’s ideal world of “serenity” and “peace” is a place without books (59). He represents the government’s stand on books, and conveys the merit of censorship to the reader. In 5 Pointz’s case, the area where graffiti artists gather was labeled dangerous and not what the