What are some ways Bradbury uses knowledge vs. ignorance in the book Fahrenheit 451?
- print Print
- list Cite
Expert Answers

calendarEducator since 2016
write9,178 answers
starTop subjects are Literature, History, and Social Sciences
Bradbury illustrates in his novel that ignorance is dangerous and destructive. He does this by depicting a dystopian society in which people are forbidden to own or read books.
As Beatty explains, everything in the society has been dumbed down to the least common denominator. He asserts that this is what people wanted. They didn't read informative books or good literature when they had it freely available, even then preferring comic books or mindless magazines. Beatty also states that it makes people unhappy to be intelligent, because then they stand out from the crowd and end up isolated and unhappy.
Montag's society promotes a numbing—and ignorant—conformity that involves people sitting in their homes every night watching inane programs, such as clown shows, on giant television screens. Nobody talks in a deep way to anyone anymore, and people have lost touch with the natural world. Montag's encounter with Clarisse, who actually focuses her attention on him and reminds him of the...
(The entire section contains 2 answers and 867 words.)
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial to unlock this answer and thousands more. Enjoy eNotes ad-free and cancel anytime.
Related Questions
- What are some metaphors in the book Fahrenheit 451?
- 2 Educator Answers
- What are some examples of metaphor in part one of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury?
- 1 Educator Answer
- What are some examples of satire in the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury?
- 3 Educator Answers
- What are some examples of Man vs. Society in Fahrenheit 451?
- 2 Educator Answers
- What are some examples of technology dehumanizing the society in the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray...
- 4 Educator Answers

calendarEducator since 2003
write4,119 answers
starTop subjects are Literature, History, and Social Sciences