How is the theme of censorship and mind control seen in Fahrenheit 451?

Though a reader’s first instinct may lead them to interpret Fahrenheit 451 through the lens of censorship, the ambiguous nature of Beatty’s character shows that Bradbury had a larger theme he was addressing than just indicting the lack of literacy in this dystopian society. Aware of a change in Montag, Beatty attempts to manipulate Montag’s opinion about what is contained in books through a rhetorically skillful speech to quell Montag’s rising curiosity. Beatty is a contradictory character in that he is aware of the knowledge found in books, but also advocates their eradication. To further subvert too much emphasis on censorship, Faber explains to Montag, “Remember, the firemen are rarely necessary. The public itself stopped reading of its own accord…so few want to be rebels anymore…people are having fun” (83). Published in the 1950s, Fahrenheit 451 is a reflection of America’s cultural climate and social norms including the prominence of complacency and conformity. Beatty’s ambiguous characterization serves to represent an aspect of Bradbury’s theme regarding his rejection of conformity as stressed by Montag’s media-saturated culture. Attempting to read on the train, Montag’s concentration is continuously disturbed by radio advertisements. Montag describes mass-media's influence by stating, “The train radio vomited upon Montag, in retaliation… [t]he people were pounded into submission; they did not run, there was no place to run…” (75). This statement not only illuminates the constant media inundation, but the latter half of his statement reveals, like Faber’s statement, society’s lack of concern and willingness to conform.

Bradbury isn’t simply making a statement against conformity, but rather condemns conformity that stems from ignorance. Montag joins the band of bibliophiles for a similar purpose and with the same goals. However, this is viewed as a positive conformity because, as their name implies, each is equipped with the knowledge of a book and their banded together through awareness, not ignorance. Bradbury supports this idea through the willing death of paradoxical Beatty. Even though Beatty attempts to use skillful rhetoric to influence Montag in continuing as the “Happiness Boys,” he is not an entirely unsympathetic character. After lighting him on fire, Montag turns Beatty’s words against him: “…you’re not a problem now. You always said don’t face a problem, burn it” (115). Like the bibliophiles, Beatty is also book learned, and similarly, his conformity doesn’t stem from ignorance. The difference between these two is analogous to Montag’s discovery that fire can both burn and warm. In this way, Beatty knows what he should do, but rather than face the problem of conformity, conforms himself to society. Seeing Montag’s willing resistance to conform, Beatty realizes his mistake, and dies a willing death to emphasize Bradbury’s rejection of conformity so prevalent in 1950s America.