Theme Of Human Nature In Fahrenheit 451

Originally published in 1953, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury started out as a small, unnoticed novel. However, its enticing story and universal themes appealed to many readers, and its popularity soon grew. One of the novel’s most defining characteristics is its stance on human nature itself. Through Bradbury’s unique writing style, the themes and messages built upon in the novel are easily conveyed to the audience. Particularly, in Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury expands upon the human nature themes of free thought, courage, and the need for fulfillment. Fahrenheit 451 builds upon the idea of free thought. In the novel, society lacks individuality. Through mass media, technology, and the government, citizens are subjected to mindless activities …show more content…
Throughout the story, characters make decisions that require much bravery, in spite of severe consequences. One example of this occurs relatively early in the novel. Montag, along with his fellow firemen, is sent to burn a house containing books. They arrive and go through the routine process of covering everything with kerosene. However, the owner of the house refuses to leave her books behind. The firemen try to convince her to leave, but she remains persistent. She then reveals to have a kitchen match, which sends the firemen rushing out of the house. As they exit, the house goes up in flames with the woman and books inside. The women effectively becomes a martyr for her belief and presents much courage. She stood up to the firemen and died for what she believed in. Montag later shows courage in a similar way. As previously mentioned, Montag begins secretly taking books home to read. This action alone requires much courage as he is risking his entire way of life in order to read. In fact, most of Montag’s actions afterward require him to be extremely brave. The formation of a plan to save books requires Montag to, once again, risk everything, and shows Faber’s courage as well since he is also risking his life. Perhaps the greatest moment of courage is when Montag confronts Beatty. During the scene, Beatty criticizes Montag for his reading, and forces him to burn his own books and house. Montag reluctantly …show more content…
Bradbury, once again, uses Guy Montag to convey this theme. First of all, Montag begins to feel unfulfilled after his first meeting with Clarisse. As previously mentioned, at the end of their conversation, she asks Montag if he is happy. After further consideration, Montag comes to the conclusion that he is not happy and cannot understand why. Furthermore, Montag also begins to feel unfulfilled from his marriage. Bradbury writes, “And he remembered thinking then if she died, he was certain he wouldn’t cry” (44). From this quote, Bradbury reveals to the audience that Montag lacks a real connection to his wife, and is simply playing the role of husband. However, Montag desires this sort of connection, as revealed shortly afterwards. Bradbury states, “For it would be the dying of an unknown… and it was suddenly so very wrong that he had begun to cry, not at death but at the thought of not crying at death…” (44). This quote shows Montag’s desire to feel something for his wife, Mildred. It is the lack of fulfillment that drives Montag to be emotional. This prompts Montag to satiate his needs through books. Montag later says, “‘We have everything we need to be happy, but we aren’t happy. Something’s missing. I looked around. The only thing I positively knew was gone was the books....so I thought books might help’” (Bradbury 82). Montag tries to fill the void in his life with books as he is unhappy and cannot find a