The central theme of this novel would probably be something like guilt. So many elements establish a feeling of guilt that it’s almost a guilty feeling to be reading the book. The whole plot is saying how books are useless and how stupid people would be to read them. Montag is constantly guilty. He is guilty from the very beginning of the story, almost instantly wondering what more there is to life, and what books consist of. Throughout the book, his guilt just inclines towards a breaking point, forcing him to take rash actions that are somewhat rediculous and will obviously result in some kind of consequence. Of course Montag doesn’t let his guilt deter him from his ultimate goal: to change the world and prove what’s wrong. Ray Bradbury uses strong imagery to trap the feelings of guilt. As the reader goes into Montag’s brain, we see all the turmoil there, making us really feel what he is feeling. At some points in the book, the feeling is so well represented that I almost feel bad for Montag. I would wonder what I would do if I lived in this time, and if I would conform to the new ways, or would I be thinking like Montag; using strong words and feelings to express a deeper thought of rightfulness. Not only does the author use imagery, he uses the scariness of realism. Something like this could eventually be upon us if we’re not careful. I’m not saying it would be this extreme, but books are already banned in the U.S., so what is next? I think that is what Ray wanted this book to say; that we should be afraid and watch out for something like this in the future.
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