The Technology in Fahrenheit 451 - Book Report/Review Example

Fahrenheit 451 Current Technology as Seen Through the Past Most science fiction looks to the future and imagines what people and society will be like. Most trends and new technology in science fiction stories have some basis in the writer's present and are presented as logical extensions of what already exists. As you read the novel, identify new innovations and ideas in Guy Montag's world that did not exist at the time the novel was written. How are they similar to technology and trends that developed after the time the book was written, including today How are theydifferent In your research, look into the origins of attitudes, ideas or innovations "predicted" by Bradbury's novel. How do you see them further developing into our future, and do you see those developments as primarily good or evil Introduction Fahrenheit 451 is basically a reading that has been written by an author who has had the chance to see through the different situations in his time and imagine what it would be like several years from the actual years when he was able to live the systems of human development. Through creating a pattern that leads towards the future based from the original situations dealt with by the author, the process of imagination began and created a clear picture of the future. The author's future is today. Years before, Ray Bradbury, the author, aimed to see further than what he has actually realized as a person during his own time. Through this particular realization, it could be observed how Bradbury tried to create an actual picture of the life that awaits the human society that is rather considered much dependent on technology. Innovation and the society's continuous change towards digital progress has been the main theme of this particular reading. Apparently though, the author was rather considered on the more negative effects of technology and innovation towards the information growth of every person living in the human society. To know more about the actual situations suggested by the author in the reading, this paper shall give a clear identification as to how the entire system of the society as portrayed by Bradbury through the character of Montag, the story's protagonist, and the people living around him, has been presented in a rather uncanny way that identifies the less orderly status that technology has brought upon the human recognition for morals, knowledgeable information, and life. A Brief Overview No, it is never easy to portray a future that has not come yet through plainly basing it on the present issues that the human society is dealing with. It is of course never easy to accomplish the thought of having a well developed story through basing it from pure imagination. Perhaps this is the reason why the presentation of Bradbury with regards the life of humans beyond his time [which was likely pertaining to 1990's onwards] was rather a more skeptical view to the situation. Montag, the main character, is living in a society that did not give so much concern for the need of being informed. Drowned by the provisions of many innovations, humans had been fully dependent on technology and how it practically assists them in their daily activities and responsibilities for life. This dependency then created a lesser concern for literature. Books were kept and were recognized as a practical source of chaos in the midst of a well developed society. The innovators thought that allowing literature exist within the society would only confuse people with regards what is right and what is wrong. Hence, as a result, people thought less of literature and accepted the fact that they are supposed to stay where they are and just accept things and rules as they come. If carefully understood, this situation suggests for a rather incomprehensible society than that of the actually society that the people today are living in. Continuing with the story, Montag, being a fire fighter has witnessed a lot of situations as to what people naturally come for first when they still have the option to save something when there is fire. There is this one woman who for some reason started to collect books that when the fire happened and Montag offered to save her, she lit a match and set herself on fire along with the books, as if portraying a heroic act. For this reason, Montag was personally prompted to get books every now and then and hide them in his store room where no one, not even his wife has access to. There he tries to memorize every content of the book but later on gets frustrated as he does not get the chance to actually retain everything in his memory. As help, Faber, a long time English professor, gave him a bullet-shaped green earpiece that allowed him to instruct Montag even though they were not together. People at work and even his wife notices the changes in Montag as he continuous to learn more from Faber through that earpiece; as a result, many of these people advised that he stop whatever particular matter he actually focuses himself and just continue living life like normal people do. But Montag never stopped searching for a way to preserve books to the best that he could. Innovation has naturally changed human living; as a proof, Montag's wife Mildred, was portrayed at one time to have been over dosed with sleeping pills and was saved by the medics through the use of a gadget that immediately replaces the blood of people right there at the scene of the emergency operation. This particular gadget mirrors the supposed advancement in medical technology that has been expected to bring extravagant changes as to how people are to undergo medical procedures as part of their daily needs. The search for information has never stopped on the part of Montag which later on lead him to more uneasy situations of being questioned as to why he was doing the things that he did and why he continues to search for things that are of lesser value to the actual life that humans during his time lives. The Question on the Need for Information Practically, basing from how the story continued to progress, the impression of the author with regards technology and the ways by which it readily prepares the society for a new and advanced way of living has been considered as a threat to the supposed development of knowledge. It has been rather shown in the story that being completely consumed with technology would bring about huge issues of non-advancement on the side of literary expertise. People were held from realizing the freedom of speech which was practically given way through literature. It is through this particular presentation that the book of Bradbury was considered as a fear inspiring book that lead many readers into a perceiving technology as a scary feat of development on the part of human progression. Although some expected advancements in medicine and communication has been described, it could be observed how the less concern for these things suggest that the author is more concerned as to what or how technology could negatively manage to change the entire society for the worse of what was expected than to actually bring ease to human life. The author naturally perceived that technology would change the values of people and the priorities that they have in live would be interchanged with that much importance that they are giving in focus with their being consumed with the use of technology in their daily lives. What the Actual Years Present Keeping in mind that the author aims to present a time line that goes beyond the 1990's, it could be noticed how the skeptic identification of the author towards the effects of technology in the human society was rather over rated and misguided as to how thing turned out to be. Not to blame the author though, it should also be recognized that many of those who belong to his generation, who are still living in today's society are still skeptical about the probable effects of modern technology to the upcoming generations of humans trying to be absorbed in the system of new age innovations. Coming of the age, many individuals today are indeed consumed in technology. However unlike what Bradbury perceived, today, the years of information overflow is noted to be affecting the entire human society. Through the use of the internet, people from all walks of life could actually share their thoughts freely to everyone else who are concerned about the situations enveloping the society at present and even towards the future. Basically, this culture of thirst for information withstands the fear that Bradbury presented in his story. Yes, this is an era of information overflow that makes it easier for every person to take hold of any needed information at the click of a button. Critical Assessment of the Writing Process On the part of Bradbury's style of writing approach, it could be noticed how he mainly based on his skeptical view of technology. It is through this approach that he was able to further identify the possible negative effects of technology in the lives of human individuals as they try to face a new future that awaits them at the cradle of new innovative technology. No matter, although skeptical in nature, the author's writing serves as a great intention of warning the society as to what they are putting themselves in. Bradbury practically made it clear to his readers how the entire situation should be well controlled to avoid any possible social downfall later on; something that needs to be given attention to regularly by everyone living in the modern human society. Conclusion Perhaps the reason behind the numerous interpretations on Bradbury's writing is the fact that he was rather able to incite certain thoughts in the mind of the readers; aiming to actually help them see the future in a particular perspective that directly leads them to being skeptical of change and fearful of technological advancements. Bradbury is not alone. There are still those people today who continue to be skeptical about technological innovations and the changes that they are able to bring about in the system of human living. No matter, these skepticisms are serving as major hindrances to the real realization of advancement. On the other end, it could also be considered helpful to have these thoughts thrive in the minds of those who believe that technology could bring ruins to the society, to be able to keep the system balance. It would be like as if putting a controlling matter that would allow humans to see the possible negative effects that going for too much change could bring the entire human society in the future. It is also a remarkable reminder that people should keep watch on how they are prioritizing things in their lives; trying to ensure that the new upcoming generations would still be able to see that the best things in life are free . References: Tuck, Donald H. (1974). The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Chicago: Advent. pp. 62. ISBN 0-911682-20-1. Bustard, Ned (2004), Fahrenheit 451 Comprehension Guide, Veritas Press. Bradbury, Ray Fahrenheit 451, New York: Ballantine Books, 1953 Read More