1 : Introduction
1.1 General Background
Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 (1953) is a dystopian novel, set in a world where the ownership of books is illegal, and firemen burn books instead of putting fires out. The protagonist, Guy Montag, is a fireman. He decides to investigate the loyalty some in their society have for books by reading some he kept in secret. He is then discovered by his captain who reports him, and is chased by the government until he escapes in a river. In the end, he washes up near the sanctuary of rebel intellectuals who have memorized various works of literature, and receives from them the duty and purpose of memorizing a chapter of the Bible to rebuild a new civilisation.
Literature censorship policies in contemporary …show more content…
1.2 Research Questions
How is the burning of books in Fahrenheit 451 paralleled in China?
How do censorship and self-censorship reinforce each other as demonstrated in Fahrenheit 451 and China?
How is a culture of ignorance accepted in Fahrenheit 451 and in China?
To what degree is censorship …show more content…
In addition to the abundant resources invested into China’s censorship groups such as the Central Propaganda Department (CPD) of the Communist Party and censorship technology, the lack of transparency in media regulations allows authorities to censor news articles by claiming that they expose state secrets and endanger the country’ or in the name of preventing social unrest. Furthermore, through various methods including ‘dismissals and demotions, libel lawsuits, fines, arrests, and forced televised confessions’, China’s government induces self-censorship among journalists and other
1.1 General Background
Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 (1953) is a dystopian novel, set in a world where the ownership of books is illegal, and firemen burn books instead of putting fires out. The protagonist, Guy Montag, is a fireman. He decides to investigate the loyalty some in their society have for books by reading some he kept in secret. He is then discovered by his captain who reports him, and is chased by the government until he escapes in a river. In the end, he washes up near the sanctuary of rebel intellectuals who have memorized various works of literature, and receives from them the duty and purpose of memorizing a chapter of the Bible to rebuild a new civilisation.
Literature censorship policies in contemporary …show more content…
1.2 Research Questions
How is the burning of books in Fahrenheit 451 paralleled in China?
How do censorship and self-censorship reinforce each other as demonstrated in Fahrenheit 451 and China?
How is a culture of ignorance accepted in Fahrenheit 451 and in China?
To what degree is censorship …show more content…
In addition to the abundant resources invested into China’s censorship groups such as the Central Propaganda Department (CPD) of the Communist Party and censorship technology, the lack of transparency in media regulations allows authorities to censor news articles by claiming that they expose state secrets and endanger the country’ or in the name of preventing social unrest. Furthermore, through various methods including ‘dismissals and demotions, libel lawsuits, fines, arrests, and forced televised confessions’, China’s government induces self-censorship among journalists and other