The concept of conformity is a significant theme explored in "Fahrenheit 451," reflecting its pervasive impact across various aspects of society, both historically and in contemporary settings.
Conformity in Fahrenheit 451:
In the book "Fahrehenit 451" there is a very strong theme of social commentary in relation to conformity. This idea of conformity is a very prevalent issue in today's society, and can be found heavily throughout history, in entertainment, in science and health, etc. Conformity is a strong influence on people as the grow, develop, and discover their own sense of identity.
Conformity in Fahrenheit 451
Personal Connections
Wearing certain brands and styles of clothing, because it was what everyone else was wearing.
Engaging in Sexual activities at a very young age, because of peer pressure at school, and the presence of media making it seem like such a normal thing to do.
Going to parties and consuming alcohol as a minor throughout Jr. High and High School, because it was what everyone else was doing during the weekends.
Political Connections
No Child Left Behind
Historical Connections
The 1950's Culture of Conformity (hyperlink)
Scientific and Health Connections
The Milgram Obedience Experiment (hyperlink)
Psychology: The Asch Experiment (hyperlink)
Entertainment Connections
Art: Conformity by Ash Sivils
Song: As I Lay Dying - Parallels (hyperlink)
Movie: Surrogates
Quotables
"I find the earth to be a place of misery in which I am surrounded by the conformity that kills society.
" - Matt LeBlanc
"The supreme lesson of any education should be to think for yourself and to be yourself; absent this attainment, education creates dangerous, stupefying conformity." - Brian H. McGill
"The opposite of bravery is not cowardice but conformity." - Robert Anthony
Text Support
"We must all be alike. Not everyone born free and equal, as the constitution says, but everyone made equal . . . A book is a loaded gun in the house next door. Burn it. Take the shot from the weapon. Breach man’s mind." (Pg. 55)
“But remember that the Captain belongs to the most dangerous enemy to truth and freedom, the solid unmoving cattle of the majority. Oh, God, the terrible tyranny of the majority." (Pg. 104)
"Bigger the population, the more minorities. Don't step on the toes of the dog lovers, the cat lovers, doctors, lawyers, merchants, chiefs, Mormons, Baptists, Unitarians, second-generation Chinese, Swedes, Italians, Germans, Texans, Brooklynites, Irishmen, people from Oregon or Mexico. The people in this book, this play, this TV serial are not meant to represent any actual painters, cartographers, mechanics anywhere. The bigger your market, Montag, the less you handle controversy, remember that!... Authors, full of evil thoughts, lock up your typewriters. They did." (Pg. 55)
