According to Bradbury himself, one of the important ideas
treated in Fahrenheit 451, is the idea of catering to special
interests, of trying to please everyone at all
times.
Eliminating the risk of offending anyone, of
presenting ideas that may be contrary, as revealed in the novel, leads to the kind of
society seen in the novel. Ideas need to be presented whether or not they will offend
anyone, and whether or not everyone will agree with
them.
Bradbury explains that at the time he wrote the
novel he was constantly receiving complaints from group after group who disagreed with
things in his works, and would even receive requests to use his works with certain
things edited out, so that they would not offend or present contrary ideas. He refused
these requests.
The Captain outlines this theme in his
words with Montag, and the theme is made concrete in Millie's reactions to what Montag
reads, and in the reactions of Millie's friends when Montag reads. Anything that is
contrary to their self-assured, entertainment-filled, trivial existence is anathema.
They want to be left alone--they do not want to be made to think. They want to hear
only that which they agree with.
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