In March, the McConnell Scholars read Ray Bradbury’s work Fahrenheit 451. Bradbury established a world which emphasized happiness and entertainment while dulling the spirit and intellect of its people. Most people understand Fahrenheit 451 as an anticensorship novel, but a more precise analysis of the work reveals the idea of censorship as a voluntary act. The society developed by Bradbury favored security and stability over intellectual growth. The search for happiness and pleasure stunts the morality and sense of community within this culture. Subconscious dissatisfaction swells within the individuals this society, and the rate of drug abuse suicide climbs. The protagonist, Guy Montag, spent his life working as a fireman who burned books. The culture of Fahrenheit 451 socialized Montag to view books as evil objects. Books offend minorities and encourage people to access their lives, but the negative emotions a book may inspire run counter to the goal of happiness within this novel’s culture. However, Montag comes to appreciate the intellectual liberation offered by books and the value of community.
The scholars discussed the attributes of Bradbury’s society which led to their fear of books and intellectuals, then compared the route of that society with the trends of our own. Kirk Laughlin, a senior McConnell Scholar, compared the current debate over textbook content in Texas to the brainwashing present in the earlier education system of Fahrenheit 451. He argued, “Attempts to remove ‘offensive’ language, such as Founding Fathers, from American text books represents the intellectual manipulation of our youth. Political correctness should not override free thought.” Other scholars pointed out the overwhelming presence of visual media and sited the decline of print media as a downward turn in awareness. Visual media provides consumers with a sound bite of information, but a print source allows the reader to delve into the topic and think critically.
The discussion of Fahrenheit 451 forced the scholars to confront the ideals of modern society which combat the intellectual process. Bradbury argued that a culture based upon the search for happiness could never achieve this goal without free thought. A culture willing to grapple with conflicts and problems, rather than silencing them, strengthens their society.
The scholars discussed the attributes of Bradbury’s society which led to their fear of books and intellectuals, then compared the route of that society with the trends of our own. Kirk Laughlin, a senior McConnell Scholar, compared the current debate over textbook content in Texas to the brainwashing present in the earlier education system of Fahrenheit 451. He argued, “Attempts to remove ‘offensive’ language, such as Founding Fathers, from American text books represents the intellectual manipulation of our youth. Political correctness should not override free thought.” Other scholars pointed out the overwhelming presence of visual media and sited the decline of print media as a downward turn in awareness. Visual media provides consumers with a sound bite of information, but a print source allows the reader to delve into the topic and think critically.
The discussion of Fahrenheit 451 forced the scholars to confront the ideals of modern society which combat the intellectual process. Bradbury argued that a culture based upon the search for happiness could never achieve this goal without free thought. A culture willing to grapple with conflicts and problems, rather than silencing them, strengthens their society.