What is The book, Fahrenheit 451 about?

Question

Why was it Banned?

Answer 1

it takes place in a future where firemen don't put out fires, they start them..they burn books..as a statement against the mccarthy hearings, bradbury wrote a story about a society that has banned books, fiction, all forms of original thinking...and then a fireman happens to read one of the books he was supposed to burn and discovers that they aren't dangerous after all...great stuff, and bradbury tells a story like no one else can

Answer 2

I'm sure you've already had enough summaries by now- but I'd like to comment on the second part of your question. When I read Fahrenheit 451, I knew beforehand that it had been banned from some schools and libraries, but I was never reminded of the fact by anything in the book. Nothing seemed to justify the action. In fact, it was very ironic that a book which spoke out against censorship has been censored itself! I believe Ray Bradbury wrote an angry addition some time after his first publication addressing this. If you have a copy, check the foreword and afterword area for this- it's interesting to see things from his point of view. ( I think he says something about the swears in it...)

Answer 3

I had no idea that book was banned, and it really makes me mad, my teacher read it to me when I was in the fith grade (a little heavy, but apparently I was the only one who actually paid any attention to it), but Farenheit 451 is about a society in which books are banned, and people just rot away in their suburban lives, never questioning the government, never thinking for themselves, just watching TV. And what happens when someone takes a stand.

Answer 4

It's written about a fictional time where knowledge has become unimportant and actually banned to a point. The story's about a man who gradually learns to defy what society dictates and ends up running for his life, sacrificing a life he's used to and has lived for so long, his wife, and freedom for knowledge.

Ironically, the firefighters are the ones who burn the books. TV is what is treasured - books are forbidden.

Answer 5

~Ray Bradbury was incensed when George Orwell's "1984" was published. Bradbury staunchly believed in a strong central government and he zealously advocated censorship of any publication which demeaned or denigrated the rulers. In reply to Orwell, he wrote "451" The title was derived from the 451 works he mentions in his book as requiring censorship and which he believed should be banned. The "Farenheit" in the title is a play on words, whereby Bradbury was letting his readers know he was mad (hot). His book was banned not because of content but because Bradbury acknowledged his membership in the communist party. "451" was published during the McCarthy witchhunts, and Ray made the mistake of sending a copy to Uncle Joe's lead henchman, Bobby Kennedy. Bobby wasn't that upset about Bradbury's book, but, being an avid fan and patron of Orwell, was retaliating because of Bradbury's disparagement of Orwell.

Answer 6

Book burning, with the firemen being those who burned the books. Its a science fantasy which is an allegory for censorship during the MacArthy era of the early Cold War.

Answer 7

Best way to find out would be to read it and see.

However, I can tell you that it has been banned in many school districts for inciting dissention.

Big thumbs up to silvcslt - he/she deserves the 10 points.

Answer 8

Simple summary:

The government wants you to think/act a certain way. They want to control the population. So, firemen have to burn books, so people won't read them and learn to think for themselves. One of the firemen reads a banned book, and learns to think for himself.

Answer 9

If you read it you would be really shocked to find out .....It's a great movie too..rent ti , read it and decide for yourself......

Answer 10

from what everyone here says it sounds interesting. i think i'll read it too.