English Question 1: Fahrenheit 451

What is the major theme of this novel?

The major theme in the book Fahrenheit 451 is about censorship. I also think that it is warning us about the dangers of our careless society. A big problem in this book was the fact that people didn't want to have 'differences' or hear any ideas that contradicted their own. All people wanted was the pleasure that life could offer, and they didn't care about other people. One example of that was when Guy's wife, Mildred, forgets to tell her husband about Clarisse's death. Another example is the fact that people are so wrapped up in their own lives that they don’t care if their husbands get killed in the seemingly continual wars.

Why is this theme important to a teenager living in 2007?

The theme of censorship really shows how fortunate we are in the 21st century to have access to knowledge and the freedom of speech. In this book, it wasn't the government that shut down books in the first place, it was the people themselves that condemned the books. This book also shows how important books are. It is telling teenagers not to scorn books and advice, but rather learn from it, and challenge our own ideas in the process. Why is it important? I truly believe that teenagers are some of the most important people in our society. The future generation of the world is on our shoulders, and the children of the era look up to us as role models. With those responsibilities on out shoulders, what else can we do but take advice that adults and books can give us and lead the next era of the human race into prosperity.



In this song the chorus is:

Just open your eyes it's time you realize
It's your own demise
Just open your eyes it's time you realize
To reach out for the prize

This song is referring to Christ, but you can apply that to what I was writing about differences (e.g. open your eyes to differences, and don't be opposed to new or different ideas) In order for us to 'lead the next era of the human race' we have to look beyond ourselves, and 'open our eyes' to other cultures, and peoples.

http://www.wpl.lib.oh.us/teens/censorship.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrptOS7Tfn4