The Use Of Beatty's Speech In Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury

After contemplating Beatty’s speech, I’ve concluded that agreeing with Beatty’s statements created in the story are simply foolish for one to agree with. During his articulation in the story, Beatty claims; “If you don’t want a man unhappy politically, don’t give him two sides to a question to worry him; give him one. Better yet, give him none. Let him forget there is such a thing such as war.” Beatty exclaims that being uneducated about all subjects politically and given one side is a wonderful gift given to prevent thoughts of unsureness or war. He believes that taking away the opportunity to create an opinion in one’s mind is something to be happy about, as there would be no chances in war or fights between the people when it comes down to the human nature of the mind. Taking away books and real education is simply a wonderful way to stop the tension of the world and create a space where one could explore life without the worries; Beatty believes. 

One of the biggest parts of life is exploring your beliefs and interests religiously, politically, and morally. Giving the people one option practically labels them as lifeless souls destined to rot in the world designed by the bureaucrats of this dystopian society, serving no purpose and making no change except to live under the expectations of the people in charge. The people in this society are given no information of choices one could make based on the real world before the dystopian society was created, and are expected to only become focused on the world before their eyes which is composed of nothing but technology and tasks to keep them entertained. The society is practically enslaved under the influence of the law, leaving them nothing to think of but what is right before their eyes. 

When it all comes down to it, books aren’t the entire problem here. I believe books are being used as a metaphor to just all of the things that could cause a disruption in the flow of civilization that could change the minds of the individuals living in this world. The lawmakers simply believe that taking away the largest and most real source of information; being books created by people that lived before this society was created, would completely stop the interest of the people, leaving them to focus on nothing but the technology the future has been surrounded with; to think that they are living in the best times they could, when in reality, their minds are being kept under the control of the congressman of this day and age.