Paradoxes in “Fahrenheit 451”: the Contradictions of Hope, Knowledge, and Conformity

The Paradox of Hope in “Fahrenheit 451”

Imagine a world without books or factual knowledge. Ray Bradbury shows a world where the characters do not have to imagine it- they live it. Bradbury uses his protagonist, Guy Montag, to show that if something is not right in the world, average citizens can do something about it. He also uses Montag to show the risks and results of change. Bradbury demonstrates the theme of hope and change through the image of drowning as positive and negative aspects of life throughout Fahrenheit 451.

One theme Bradbury presents in his novel is that there is hope for humans. When Montag appears in the novel, he is seen as an Average Joe. He follows the crowd, does not cause trouble, and burns books. “Montag grinned the fierce grin of all men singed and driven back by flame” (Bradbury 2). Montag thinks he agrees with his society, but later Bradbury shows a different side and opinion Montag comes to. Eventually, Montag sees that something is missing, and since books are the only thing that is strictly prohibited, they must be what is missing.

Bradbury shows hope through Montag’s actions to change their world. He meets Clarisse, who sees life differently than everyone and is not afraid to show it. Hope for the people comes when Montag changes his opinion of his world. Hope is the one thing Montag clings to during the week or so of ‘fighting’ the dilemma. Hope is crucial for us all to have, hope for each other, our country, our world, and even hope for ourselves. In Montag’s case, he has hope for a new life. Hope for people and drowning can go hand in because you have to hope you can make it to shore before the waves of life pull you under.

Drowning in the Paradoxes of “Fahrenheit 451”

Bradbury uses the image of drowning in his book many times. Drowning is a powerful image Bradbury uses in Fahrenheit 451. Faber says, “…and if you drown, at least die knowing you were headed for shore” (82). Faber tells Montag this so he can have hope that his efforts to change will not just result in nothing. Their feeling that they are drowning in the world around them makes them want to swim for shore or die trying. Drowning is also used to show what had happened and that Montag was drowning in it all (124).

Water can be described as cleansing, but in this novel, it is used more as submerging into this murky abstract of wrong and sameness. Wrong, as in the people are missing out on one of life’s most beautiful things and sameness because everyone thinks the same, knows the same, and is the same. The people are drowning in their world, and Montag and Faber are the only ones conscious of their surroundings and help keep each other afloat. Beatty told Montag that he had gotten himself into slime up to his lip, and if he stirred it, he would drown(112). I think when Montag had taken Faber’s advice to do something, he had, in fact, almost drowned. Drowning plays an essential role in this novel because once Montag wakes up from the trance he seems to be in, he has to fight to stay above the waves.

In conclusion, Bradbury shows that hope can bring change and a cheerful existence for humans. Through the image of drowning, he illustrates the idea of change. Bradbury did an excellent job of showing that a change can happen through the idea of hope throughout the novel. At the end of the book, Montag recalls a quote from Ecclesiastes: “…And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (158). He wanted to show what the world might become without differences and knowledge. What will our lives be worth if we do not care about individuality and knowledge? Fahrenheit 451 is a tremendous life-lesson book and a great read just for fun.

Reference

1. Bradbury, R. (1953). Fahrenheit 451. Simon and Schuster.

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