Examples Of Conformism In Fahrenheit 451

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If one believes strongly in a subject, they will fight for the idea when people are persecuting it; they will stand behind a strong belief to any extent. This characteristic is exhibited everyday through politicians, citizens, or even fictional characters. This trait is demonstrated through many characters in the book Fahrenheit 451, written by Ray Bradbury. This book takes place in a dystopian civilization where the main character, Guy Montag, and a group of others, including former professor named Granger, turn against the society’s thoughts on burning books. While Montag turns against his culture, his wife, Millie, continues to conform along with the citizens and their beliefs on burning books. Montag and Granger exhibit a unique characteristic…show more content…
She is fine with the idea that books and knowledge should not be allowed in this civilization, for she was raised to believe this. Because this civilization has brainwashed the citizens, most have not had the ability to create their own ideas or beliefs and Millie is a prime example of this. Millie's husband, Montag, began collecting books and when Millie found this out she was terrified of what might happen. Montag had the idea of reading a passage from one of the books to Millie and her guests. From the fear of being rejected she devises a lie that she tells to her friends. Millie explains that "once a year, every fireman's allowed to bring one book home, from the old days, to show his family how silly it all was, how nervous that sort of thing can make you, how crazy. Guy's surprise tonight is to read you one sample to show how mixed up things were, so none of us will ever have to bother our little old heads about that junk again" (95). This passage shows that Millie is afraid of being rejected because she is married to a man that is not like everybody else. Having these books could get her in trouble with the government, but also could hurt her friendships because they will not want to be associated with people, who are not like themselves. In order to attempt to save her relationships she says, "Come on, let's be cheery, you turn the 'family' on now. Go ahead. Let's laugh and be happy, now stop crying” (97). Millie…show more content…
society which shows the conflict between the society’s thoughts and two men’s thoughts. In this novel, Montag and Granger are able to create their own ideas and beliefs which are completely opposite from the society they live in. They believe so strongly in their ideas that they are willing to fight their civilization. Unlike Montag and Granger, Millie does not have the ability to form her own ideas or beliefs because she conforms to the beliefs of the society in which she lives. One should stand up for their beliefs when their ideas are being persecuted, for individuality is something all people should

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