Is Knowledge Dangerous or Important? With the advanced technology we enjoy today, information is more accessible than ever before. Anyone can pick up their phone and acquire an unlimited amount of knowledge. However, this knowledge can occasionally be used in a harmful or destructive way. This is demonstrated in the stories “By the Waters of Babylon” by Stephen Vincent Benét and Fahrenheit 541 by Ray Bradbury. While there are some evident differences in theme between the two stories, the similarities are pronounced. Deception or misinformed societies and the danger and importance of knowledge are both prominent themes discussed, however these themes are shown in differing ways that have a clear impact on the stories. In both the novel and
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The symbols of knowledge in each story differ, which creates different emotions and reactions in their respective societies. In Fahrenheit 451, knowledge is entrusted in books, whereas it is portrayed in the Gods in the short story. John’s society believes in intelligent and knowledgeable Gods that used to occupy a large city, which is forbidden to go to. During John’s journey east, he describes, “...When I came to the Place of the Gods, I was afraid, afraid… I could feel evil spirits about me” (179). This helps explain the fear of the Gods that people hold and the beliefs of the reborn civilization. If such fear was not invoked, people might travel east more frequently and learn the same things that John has. In contrast, the government in Montag’s city has placed a censor on books in an attempt to hide the sometimes controversial intelligence that they hold. While Beatty is talking to Montag when he is sick, he says, “You must understand that our civilization is so vast that we can’t have our minorities upset and stirred. People want to be happy” (59). This shows the reasoning for the censorship; sadness and other negative emotions are associated with books, thus they have been censored. As a result, the citizens believe the books are both useless and problematic. For instance, after Montag burned down Mrs. Blake’s home and returned to Mildred, he says, “There must be something in books, things we can’t imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don’t stay for nothing” (51). This implies that the public thinks there is nothing in books and thus do not care about them, yet the people that read books and appreciate them are able to see their importance. The distinct differences in the way knowledge is portrayed greatly impact the reaction society has to it and the events that occur in the
The symbols of knowledge in each story differ, which creates different emotions and reactions in their respective societies. In Fahrenheit 451, knowledge is entrusted in books, whereas it is portrayed in the Gods in the short story. John’s society believes in intelligent and knowledgeable Gods that used to occupy a large city, which is forbidden to go to. During John’s journey east, he describes, “...When I came to the Place of the Gods, I was afraid, afraid… I could feel evil spirits about me” (179). This helps explain the fear of the Gods that people hold and the beliefs of the reborn civilization. If such fear was not invoked, people might travel east more frequently and learn the same things that John has. In contrast, the government in Montag’s city has placed a censor on books in an attempt to hide the sometimes controversial intelligence that they hold. While Beatty is talking to Montag when he is sick, he says, “You must understand that our civilization is so vast that we can’t have our minorities upset and stirred. People want to be happy” (59). This shows the reasoning for the censorship; sadness and other negative emotions are associated with books, thus they have been censored. As a result, the citizens believe the books are both useless and problematic. For instance, after Montag burned down Mrs. Blake’s home and returned to Mildred, he says, “There must be something in books, things we can’t imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don’t stay for nothing” (51). This implies that the public thinks there is nothing in books and thus do not care about them, yet the people that read books and appreciate them are able to see their importance. The distinct differences in the way knowledge is portrayed greatly impact the reaction society has to it and the events that occur in the