In Fahrenheit 451, a dystopian novel by Ray Bradbury, the government controls its citizens by eliminating books and other forms of mental stimulation, which are replaced by mind-numbing television shows and school programs. The control exerted on citizens by the government and media reflects Karl Marx’s theory of social classes, which can be seen in the novel's characters, as well as it’s description of government control. Fahrenheit was written in the 1950’s, during the Red Scare. This was a time when Americans feared communism and it’s possible infiltration of the government and society. Jonathan Eller points out that “the book was conceived while Josef Stalin was still in power in Russia and published before Sen. Joseph McCarthy was censured
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He divided the population into two groups: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The bourgeoisie was the ruling class; they own the means of production and, because of this, control the people. The proletariat operates the means of production, and is controlled by the bourgeoisie. Marx claimed that everyone fit into one of these groups. Marx’s two social classes are very apparent in Fahrenheit 451’s society. The power that the government and media has over ordinary citizens is largely due to both their control of resources, laws, and entertainment and the working class's acceptance of their role in society. The bourgeoisie is represented in Fahrenheit by the society’s government and media. In the novel, “controllers of mass communication and other producers of entertainment exploit the public’s desire for easy gratification by disseminating only mindless escapism.” (McGiveron) By doing this, the bourgeoisie eliminates any threat of the average citizen questioning their authority. Beatty, a member of the bourgeoisie, even admits to this trickery, explaining that they “whirl man’s mind around about so fast under the pumping hands of publishers, exploiters, broadcasters that the centrifuge fling off all unnecessary, time wasting thought.” (52) This manipulation is exactly what the Marx claimed about the …show more content…
“The first phase of Montag’s learning experience is initiated by Clarisse McClellan, who makes him wonder why people talk and why he does not pay attention to small things.” (Zipes) Clarisse demonstrates a knowledge not present in most other people in Fahrenheit’s society, which she passes on to Montag. The government, however, learns of her knowledge, and she is killed in a car accident soon after meeting Montag. The novel documents Montag’s transition from a willful, unknowing member of the proletariat to someone who is aware and resistful of his role in society. Montag develops a form of class consciousness which has been described as “a growing unrest with his own lack of individual sensibilities.” (Hoskinson) This ultimately causes Montag to break the law by reading a book (a federal offence in Fahrenheit’s society), turn against the government, and abandon society and join a group of book memorizers living in the wilderness. Fahrenheit 451’s society is heavily influenced by the ideas of Karl Marx. Much like the bourgeoisie controls the proletariat, the novel’s government and media controls the average citizens by training them to resist knowledge. The Marxist themes of the novel should be expected due to the time period in which it was written. Fahrenheit 451’s society is an almost perfect example of Marx’s social
He divided the population into two groups: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The bourgeoisie was the ruling class; they own the means of production and, because of this, control the people. The proletariat operates the means of production, and is controlled by the bourgeoisie. Marx claimed that everyone fit into one of these groups. Marx’s two social classes are very apparent in Fahrenheit 451’s society. The power that the government and media has over ordinary citizens is largely due to both their control of resources, laws, and entertainment and the working class's acceptance of their role in society. The bourgeoisie is represented in Fahrenheit by the society’s government and media. In the novel, “controllers of mass communication and other producers of entertainment exploit the public’s desire for easy gratification by disseminating only mindless escapism.” (McGiveron) By doing this, the bourgeoisie eliminates any threat of the average citizen questioning their authority. Beatty, a member of the bourgeoisie, even admits to this trickery, explaining that they “whirl man’s mind around about so fast under the pumping hands of publishers, exploiters, broadcasters that the centrifuge fling off all unnecessary, time wasting thought.” (52) This manipulation is exactly what the Marx claimed about the …show more content…
“The first phase of Montag’s learning experience is initiated by Clarisse McClellan, who makes him wonder why people talk and why he does not pay attention to small things.” (Zipes) Clarisse demonstrates a knowledge not present in most other people in Fahrenheit’s society, which she passes on to Montag. The government, however, learns of her knowledge, and she is killed in a car accident soon after meeting Montag. The novel documents Montag’s transition from a willful, unknowing member of the proletariat to someone who is aware and resistful of his role in society. Montag develops a form of class consciousness which has been described as “a growing unrest with his own lack of individual sensibilities.” (Hoskinson) This ultimately causes Montag to break the law by reading a book (a federal offence in Fahrenheit’s society), turn against the government, and abandon society and join a group of book memorizers living in the wilderness. Fahrenheit 451’s society is heavily influenced by the ideas of Karl Marx. Much like the bourgeoisie controls the proletariat, the novel’s government and media controls the average citizens by training them to resist knowledge. The Marxist themes of the novel should be expected due to the time period in which it was written. Fahrenheit 451’s society is an almost perfect example of Marx’s social