Individuality is celebrated in modern day society, but during the Cold War, the world seemed as though there was little hope for self-expression to live another day. In the novel, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, there is a prominent theme of conformity found various times throughout the dystopian society. Conformity was a common theme in the real world during the Cold War, when this novel was written. In this society, books have all been banned, as well as social norms differing from reality, creating a bland, tasteless society. Members of society are required to keep their true emotions masked, and act like everyone else, essentially playing their required ‘role’. In this novel, there are two main aspects that demonstrate conformity, these being the main characters Mildred Montag and Captain Beatty. Furthermore, there are three main aspects that demonstrate individuality, which are the characters Clarisse McClellan and Guy Montag, as well as an interesting group found at the end of the novel that establishes a philosophical look into what it means to be unique. All aspects break or demonstrate these social normalities, and bring great substance to the novel in many ways.
To begin, Mildred …show more content…
Even a dead fish can go with the flow”. The characters of Fahrenheit 451 demonstrated individuality vs. conformity in an exceptional way, bringing light to possibilities most people have never considered to be an outcome of conformity. Conformity has never proven to be a good thing to society, and Ray Bradbury’s famous novel, Fahrenheit 451 demonstrates it very well, yet the uniqueness of just a few people may end up being a world of difference. Even though individuality is celebrated in modern day society, it should not be taken for granted, as an outcome, such as the one in Fahrenheit 451 will always be a potential harm to