Blow the tannery whistle: Bradbury still burns, 72 years later
I first read “Fahrenheit 451” around 1953 when we were dealing with the McCarthy era. This country was in the grips of a politician who preached a dangerous message. He said that America was being invaded by communism and he urged everyone to assist him in seeking out and removing anyone who had joined this dangerous movement.
He sought to “cleanse” this country of this threat by publicly denouncing members of the Communist Party. Initially, he named approximately 150 people but reduced the number to 80.
Wisconsin Sen. Joe McCarthy launched his campaign at a point in our history when we were still recovering from World War II and many of our leaders were skeptical of Russia’s future intentions. His accusations ruined the lives of a number of people with jobs in government and entertainment.
It is interesting that Ray Bradbury originally titled his novel on book burning, “The Fireman.” The setting of “Fahrenheit 451” is a world that has outlawed libraries. Firemen no longer extinguish fires; they burn books.
Bradbury’s research for “Fahrenheit 451” begins with the burning of the Great Library of Alexandria. This turned into a decline and ruin of the library’s contents which lasted for several centuries. In effect, this massive collection of learning that was destroyed was possibly responsible for the dark ages that followed.
Further, it is interesting to note that Bradbury believes that any attempt to control and regulate libraries is a dangerous mistake. I agree.
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The protagonist in “Fahrenheit 451” is a Fireman named Montag. He spends his time playing cards with other firemen and announces their schedule each day.
“On Wednesday, we burn Whitman; on Friday, we burn Faulkner.”
He is married, but his wife is addicted to television which she watches all day. Indeed, television has become an enormous factor in the lives of viewers who are teased, provoked and rewarded by television. There are even soap operas that allow viewers to become actors and to speak a simple line from home. The nightly news is often programs in which the viewers can witness the arrest of the criminals who have hidden stashes of books. There is one scene that reads like a prediction of the future — O.J. Simpson being tracked on the news as he escapes on the interstate.
So, how far are we from Bradbury’s dystopian world of book burners?
Is it possible to see the beginning of “Fahrenheit 451” in the awkward attempt to control what books are allowed in the library? Isn’t that the same thing as telling me what I can read? You are depriving me of that wonderful thing, discovery! The joy of finding a book to love. I am also distressed that we may have a president who promotes ideas that are much worse than Joe McCarthy!
I have intentionally failed to discuss the plot of this novel. If you haven’t read it, please do. There is also a French movie that does a wonderful job of recreating the conclusion of “Fahrenheit 451” and I have watched it several times. It filled me with the belief that even book burners and book banners can be overcome.
(Born in 1935, Gary Carden is one of Southern Appalachia’s most revered literary figures, earning significant recognition for his books and plays over decades — including the Book of the Year Award from the Appalachian Writers Association in 2001, the Brown Hudson Award for Folklore in 2006 and the North Carolina Arts Council Award for Literature in 2012. Carden also holds an honorary doctorate from Western Carolina University for his work in storytelling and folklore. His 2024 book, “Stories I lived to tell,” is available at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva or online through uncpress.org.)
