Essay Question
The comparison of Ray Bradbury’s 1953 novel, Fahrenheit 451 and Gary Ross’ 1998 film,
Pleasantville facilitates the representation of stereotypes of the dystopian genre. Despite
there being over 30 years between their compositions, both texts present similar dystopic
conventions in the dystopian genre. Both Ross and Bradbury explore the conventions of
knowledge being power and conforming to the status quo of a dystopian society. Fahrenheit
451 represents these concepts with the use of literary techniques such as hyperbole and
rhetorical questions, while Pleasantville demonstrates the ideas through stark imagery and
symbolism with colours.
In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury provides insight to the power of knowledge through literatures
capacity to overcome the oppressive government. Initially, Bradbury presents a society that
condemns literature, in which the protagonist Montag burns books, demonstrating his
disrespect towards literary texts. In a scene in which Montag is burning novels, a woman
responds "you can't ever have my books;" this passion towards literature alludes to its
underlying power. This demonstrates Montag’s initial ignorance towards the value of books,
unaware that its values are not necessarily physical. Furthermore, Faber’s rhetorical
question "So now do you see why books are hated and feared? They show the pores in the
face of life… wax moon faces, pore less, hairless, expressionless,” demonstrates the ability
of books to threaten the facade of happiness citizens have created through reminding them
of the reality of the world. Bradbury’s use of rhetorical questions through Montag, “What
could he say in a single word, a few words that would sear all their faces and wake them
up?” this shows Montag’s development as a character as well as demonstrating again the
power of books to society. This shows how words or knowledge have the ability to change
people’s minds as well as how knowledge has changed Montag as a character.
In Pleasantville, Ross reveals the true power of knowledge through the black and white
world portrayed in Pleasantville. Initially, Ross presents an ideal world in Pleasantville, a
society that praises ignorance due to the fact that they “don’t know any better.” A scene
taking place in a Pleasantville classroom hyperbolically contrasts with the drab environment
of the real world through the monotonous speech in the real world contrasted with the
engaging voice of a teacher in Pleasantville. The classroom Ross creates is relevant to
Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, as in the classroom, the asking of questions is frowned upon
similar to the society portrayed in Fahrenheit 451. Further, the power of knowledge is
demonstrated through the empowerment of literature, similar to Fahrenheit 451. David,
one of the protagonists ‘reveals’ the words within books and the library becomes an
important place, turning more people ‘coloured.’ This visual representation of change stages
the notion that books and literature have the ability to enforce a change within citizens of
Pleasantville, further correlating with the ideas presented in Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451.
Later, the town realises the ability books have to change people’s ‘colour’ and as a result
they decide to burn the books. The visually stark imagery portrayed in this scene of the
coloured fire contrasted with the black and white streets further allude to the book burning
presented in Fahrenheit 451.
In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury also explores the dystopian issue of conformity through the act
of reading as a law. Initially Bradbury presents the idea of conformity as a necessity in
society. Through Montag’s response to a character asking about reading books he replies,
“That’s against the law,” this further demonstrates Montag’s initial perspective of
conforming to the law, contrasting with his eventual change of view in regards to
individuality and conformity. Later, we can see how Captain Beatty attempts to prevent
further reading of Montag, “Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow
draughts intoxicate the brain,” the symbolism of a knowledge as a spring conveys Beatty’s
perspective towards reading, showing his distaste towards the idea of reading or breaking
the law. As a leader Beatty enforces the law and encourages others to follow his and the
government’s commands and ideals. After Montag is exposed for his reading Captain Beatty
forces Montag to burn down his house “by his lonesome, not with a kerosene and match
but piecework, with a flamethrower.” This intentional torment is used a method to both
deter Montag from ever reading again as well as warning him to never disobey the rules of
society.
In Pleasantville, Ross presents his ideas of conformity through symbolism of colours
throughout the black and white world as well as the norms of 1950’s sitcoms. Initially Ross
presents an ideal world in Pleasantville, however it is shown with having no toilets, no sex,
lack of fire and never losing in sporting games. This hyperbolism shows how the social
norms of the 1950’s are presented in Pleasantville, such as the inability to show people
naked, hence the lack of toilets and sex. This is relevant to Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 as
straying from the social norms of the time created trouble such as Montag’s will to share
texts and reading. Ross presents two paralleled scenes of David talking to both of his mums,
both of whom are in tears due to their personal deviances. In a close-up scene we can see
Betty Parker crying due to herself turning ‘coloured’ this, results in David applying a black
and white layer of makeup over her coloured skin, telling her “it looks just like it did.” This
scene demonstrates the desperation in people of Pleasantville to conform to the status quo
of being black and white. This contrasts with a later scene, depicting David’s change of
perception to the concept of conformity, in this instance he is removing make up from his
real mother, informing her “There is no right house. There is no right car,” as to say that
there is not a set life that people have to follow. This shows David’s development as a
character through his changing perceptions to conformity, similar to Montag’s change in
perception in regards to conformity and rebellion.
All in all, both Fahrenheit 451 and Pleasantville present similar dystopic conventions of
knowledge being power and the idea of conformity. Fahrenheit 451 demonstrates these
concepts through the successful use of hyperbole, rhetorical questions and underlying
symbolism, showing Montag’s journey and changes he undergoes as a character with both
knowledge as power and conformity. On the other hand, Pleasantville, uses colour contrast
and paralleled scenes to present these ideas. The representation of concepts that Bradbury
has presented in Fahrenheit 451 are still relevant in regards to the dystopian genre, as
shown through the comparisons in Ross’ Pleasantville.