User:Perl~enwikibooks/Fahrenheit 451/conflicts

Those who own books v. those who hate books
The main conflict in Fahrenheit 451 occurs between those who own books and those who hate books. Most of the individuals who despise books chose to hate the books themselves because society suggested them to, the government had nothing to do with the banning of books. They are afraid of books, in Bradbury's view, only because of the strong influence of a minority of people who find the content of books offensive. This is first discernable when Montag steals a book from one of the houses that his fireteam burned. When Mildred finds the book, she becomes very argumentative and tells Montag to destroy it. Even the fact that there is a need for firemen to burn the houses of individuals who own books makes this conflict apparent. It is, of course, not simply the books themselves that frighten and offend, but rather the fact that reading may lead to free thinking and free expression that threatens the government and entertainment based culture portrayed in the book. Some individuals such as Granger and Montag (at the end of the book) are forced to live on the railroad tracks in shantytowns away from the vast majority- where they become, ironically, a new minority themselves!

Montag vs. Mildred
It is clear from the beginning of the book that Guy's and Mildred's relationship is very troubled. Most of the conversations that occur between Guy and Mildred are, in fact, heated arguments. Guy frequently wonders why he married Mildred and neither can remember how they met. At one point Montag cries because he realizes that her death would not really affect him. Bradbury has perhaps rightly been criticized for his portrayal of women as symbolized by the character of Mildred. Besides, this relationship also represents the lack of love among society. Their personalities clash. Ex. She loves all of the new technology, like many televsions and Guy is the total opposite. Being a fireman has made him wonder and question why books are such a bad thing to have in society. As his interest in books grow the more distant and questionable their relationship becomes. She winds up ringing the alarm on her husband because of all of the illegal books that he has hidden. She jumps into a cab and speeds off as Guy and the rest of the fireman pull up to burn their (which is now only his house).

The War
The war is only briefly mentioned during most of the book. It seems distant and is only on the news for entertainment. In the last segment of the book, however, the war suddenly becomes very real. It destroys the city that Montag had just fled. The war only lasts a few moments, but it leaves a devastating impact on many people. By Joana Contreras

Next (Review) >