The novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury projects the major flaws in a dystopian society that outlaws books of all sorts. In this novel society moves too quickly and finds books to be more harmful than beneficial. However the society tries to cover up its harmful and negative nature by distracting the people with the latest technology and gadgets. One of the few characters who notices this is the main protagonist, Guy Montag.
Towards the end of the novel it is revealed that books became less and less significant to people as time progressed because everyone was getting accustomed to the instant gratification of technology. Technology did not require deep thought and time to process, it was quick and easy. However books were only outlawed to keep people from going back to this deep and time consuming thought process which could lead to doubting their society. Instead of taking the time to read a book and think on a deep and meaningful level, the people of the society are thrown into a "parlor" which distracts them from deep thought and keeps them occupied. This constant distraction keeps people oblivious to important things like how their society is run, why books were banned. This distraction keeps the civilians so occupied that even the war their nation is currently is fighting is not a big concern.
The main character, Guy Montag realizes this through his exploration of books. The books represent a deep thought process and the ability to doubt society. Therefore since Guy Montag is discovered to have possessed books he is pursued by the law to be silenced. The law wants to stop Montag because his discovery could influence others and cause doubt in the society. Guy Montag was not successfully distracted by technology so he was able to see the true nature of his surroundings.
The novel portrays a society where the significance of not only books, but deep thinking is depleted. However the ban of books altogether shows that the government wanted to keep civilians distracted and keep people from deep thinking. The negative nature of the current society and war is covered up by a cloak of distracting technology and a fast paced lifestyle.
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