Fahrenheit 451 & Censorship

Censorship. One could find positive aspects in censoring media and literature. It could be argued that certain material is inappropriate and offensive, and should therefore be limited or withdrawn completely. Well. This is one way of thinking.

In the democratic United States, the idea of freedom has been ingrained into the minds of children as young as first grade. Be proud. Be patriotic. To be an American is to have freedom. If literature is taken away, so is a part of this freedom. Freedom of press. Freedom of speech. These are two components of the First Amendment. It is for this reason that censorship is a horrible attempt to lure others into close-mindedness. I imagine that the Dark People of Censorship sit in their robust armchairs and velvet bathrobes, stroking a hideous cat, bearing the devilish grin of He Who Shall Not Be Named. No- not Voldemort. It is the thinking of ignorant bastards, and the lies that are passed onto children, that lead to book banning. It will not harm a child to think for his/her self. I promise. Then again, the Dark People of Censorship would never buy that crap. I'm sorry. I may have offended someone. Wait- never mind.

In Fahrenheit 451, it was not a small collective that was banning books. It was not an apprehensive school board, a parent concerned about a child's morals, or a mean librarian. It was far worse. In fact, there was an occupation devoted to ridding the society of the abomination of books. Guy Montag was born into this society to burn books, born to follow the charcoal smothered path of his father, who was also a fireman. It was because of the sparse supply of books that Montag and many others accepted this life. There was no need to question it. No one knew what was in books. It was...disgusting, that's what!

It was hearsay, that's all.

Recently, in Chareleston, West Virginia, two books by Pat Conroy have been banned. In his Letter to the Editor, published in the Charleston Gazette, he expresses his contempt for these banners. He said, "The world of literature has everything in it, and it refuses to leave anything out." This is exactly why books are a magnificent. There are books on every such topic. Some speak loudly, remaining in the mind 20 years later. Some are painful. Some are uplifting. Why should one be banned over the other?

Montag had books at the tips of his gloves and his curiosity began to ignite.  He grabbed a book in a burning house, which he blamed solely on his hands.  He was unable, at that point, to understand his subconscious desire for finding meaning in life.

In Montag's society, burning books was done to promote ignorance.  It was a way to make everyone equal.  No one would have more knowledge than another person.  There would be a great sameness.  

Is this what is wanted for our society?  Should each person possess the same level of cognition? This idea is ridiculous.  The world prospers through learning.  By destroying books, destroying an outlet of knowledge, nothing is gained.

The Handmaid's Tale: Men in Offred's Life

In Margaret Atwood's novel, The Handmaid's Tale, there are three men that play an important role in Offred’s life. Luke, The Commander, and finally, Nick, are responsible for influencing the thoughts of Offred. Each one represents a different shift in her thinking.

Offred is first loyal to her husband, Luke, or at least his memory. She often recalls how things were before the U.S. Government was overthrown. The dangling possibility that he may still be alive is what keeps Offred's hope alive. She reminisces of the time before, which shows her inability to let go and accept the present. Her longing for human sensuality is apparent with her recollections of lying in bed with Luke. She says, “If I thought this would never happen again I would die. But this is wrong, nobody dies from lack of sex. It’s the lack of love we die from” (Atwood 103). Of course, one does not expect her to embrace the life of a Handmaid. This life is far from passionate. It is devoid of the emotions shared by two lovers. Through nurturing the memory of Luke, Offred clings to an ounce of hope that life will change.

It is through the Commander that Offred finds her present life more bearable. When he calls upon her to enter his office for the first time, she is puzzled by his simplistic desire to play Scrabble and insist that Offred kiss him on the cheek. She continues to visit him regularly, which serves as a relief for both characters. It is in his office that they are able to stretch the suffocating rules. Offred becomes better acquainted with The Commander which makes her more of a mistress than a Handmaid. It is through The Commander that Offred is able to stimulate her knowledge with words and Scrabble. These intimate moments are the closest thing to reality for Offred. There is a lightheartedness in their meetings, yet also a great risk in their furtive ordeal. Offred finds solace in the devilish and unaccepted affair. Smelling the alcohol on his breath, she says, “I admit I relish it, this lick of dissipation” (209). This hint of alcohol on The Commander’s breath is something Offred thrives off of. Being able to talk to another person, reading an old Vogue magazine, or looking at articles of the past are reminders of the life Offred once lived. It this small taste of her prior life that keeps Offred sane.

Nick, originally designated to have sex with Offred under the orders of Serena Joy, serves as the most gratifying companion. Offred continues to visit Nick numerous times after their first encounter. Each time they make love with utmost passion, as if it is the last opportunity to do so. Although he never denies her, Offred always asks if it is too late. In this, she feels “more in control, as if there is a choice, a decision that could be made one way or the other” (269). Being with Nick is entirely different than playing Scrabble with The Commander. Offred and Nick understand their position, which is what makes it work. They are not people of power so, through the sensual and passionate relationship, they gain strength from one another. She focuses on him entirely, as though being with him is an addiction. With Nick, Offred is not fearful of the horrible fate that could await her because it is all she has.

Offred finds hope in the memory of Luke, escape in the meetings with The Commander, and lust and compassion with Nick. While thinking of Luke, she believes that there is a chance of returning to her previous life. In intimacy with The Commander, she finds entertainment of the present and a way of spending her idle time. The copious visits to Nick show Offred’s desire to immerse herself in the final passionate moments of life. She realizes that being with Nick is what she needs to feel alive in the disparity of her situation, whatever the outcome may be.