Burn books? Not this one.

Imani Whyte, Staff Writer

Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel by Ray Bradbury. In the novel, Guy Montag, one of many firemen tasked with burning books, meets a young, whimsical girl named Clarisse who causes him to question his life and his world. Montag then embarks on a mission to rise against the oppressive government he lives under.

The novel is a quick and simple read; it has no chapters. Instead, it is divided into three sections. Bradbury uses figurative language such as metaphors and similes, but these don’t detract from the suspense and action in the novel. Bradbury also masterfully uses repetition to convey feelings of anxiety and also solidify the idea of being trapped in an oppressive society. Fahrenheit 451 warns society of how dangerous it is to try to achieve superficial happiness and the expense of knowledge. The book can be seen as a take on the phrase “ignorance is bliss.”

I would describe Fahrenheit 451 as a classic dystopian novel because an unlikely hero is fighting against an oppressive government. I would recommend this book for anyone who’s a fan of science fiction and is looking for a quick, simple, and relaxing read that you don’t have to thoroughly dissect to understand.