Censorship In Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451

What does it actually mean for a particular item, expression, or image within society to be censored? According to Encyclopedia Britannica, a suitable definition for the term censorship is as follows: “the changing or the suppression or prohibition of speech or writing that is deemed subversive of the common good.” With this explanation in mind, I confidently stand in opposition to the notion of censorship because I am under the impression that such a government-based concept and action utterly contradicts the rights clearly given to citizens in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, and therefore, censorship has no role in a truly democratic civilization like our own (Anastaplo). First and foremost, censorship in society compromises freedom of speech by preventing the free flow of ideas, encroaching upon the freedom of the press, and putting a stop to any personal opinion or criticism that may or may

In this unknown town at an unknown time in history, Montag’s community lacks unity, thought, and practically a sense of consciousness. This extreme sense of censorship reflects dictatorship more so than supposed protection. Indeed, censorship has the potential of being a valuable asset if interpreted correctly, but it is often misused. Revealing the misuse of such a distorted belief as censorship, this particular book of warning portrays an unacceptable control over the townspeople, and an inaccurate image of books perceived by the public, and an unlikely admiration for the “firemen” so that the government is viewed as beneficial and necessary to life itself. In a way, the concept of censorship mirrors an obvious lack of confidence from the government regarding the power of society in and of itself