{"id":61,"date":"2016-03-18T20:14:52","date_gmt":"2016-03-19T00:14:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/engl117s16\/?p=61"},"modified":"2016-03-18T20:14:52","modified_gmt":"2016-03-19T00:14:52","slug":"lets-burn-everything-down-and-see-what-happens-sounds-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/engl117s16\/uncategorized\/lets-burn-everything-down-and-see-what-happens-sounds-good\/","title":{"rendered":"Let\u2019s Burn Everything Down and See What Happens\u2026 Sounds Good?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cLet it be known that the following post hypothesizes about a fictional scenario that in no way can be appropriately applicable to our society today\u2026 Fiction cannot be adapted to reality\u2026 But it can be pondered upon.\u201d -Shahzad Mumtaz<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

What makes life meaningful? Are there multiple benefactors in combination, or is it due to one overarching factor? Ray Bradbury depicts a society in <\/span>Fahrenheit 451<\/span><\/i> in which the masses have been reduced to ignorant shells due to their fixation on commercial culture. The rapid industrialization of entertainment makes it very accessible for Bradbury\u2019s society to tune in to their televisions and tune out from the rest of their world; from their loved ones, their neighbors, and even from themselves. Not only did entertainment become a pervasive part of society, literary works are burned because they are useless to the progression of individuality. But, there remain a few exiled groups that still believe in the significance of past literature who seek each other out for the preservation of knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\n

In today\u2019s society, it is suggested that reading literature, especially the classics, can kick start people\u2019s lives to the best that it can be. Looking back on the past forms a streamlined effort into a better future. Not only is literature beneficial in cultivating awareness of the importance of being educated, but it also promotes critical thinking. \u00a0The human mind is malleable. Effective use of critical thinking can establish identities that are distinguishable from person to person, which is an important factor in developing individuals that differ from the majority. Basically, critical thinking is important\u2026 more important than I think people realize.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Despite Bradbury hypothesizing about a future that could change due to its variableness, speculation does not equal causation; the said future is not bound to happen. \u00a0Yet, extrapolating over a problem that is present today (and yes, we can all agree that technology is advancing) is not out of the ordinary. This extrapolation, this extension of a current predicament into the unknown is not unwise. Thus, this essay is a hypothesis, a cautionary tale of sorts that draws inspiration from other cultural theorists that have also hypothesized about the impending future based off their current (at the time when they writing) state of being.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bradbury\u2019s society provides a hypothetical example (granted, an extreme example) of what can happen when literature is not prioritized over other modes of information. Cultural theorists have speculated over the different types of culture. Both F.R. Leavis [1]\u00a0<\/span>and Raymond Williams [2]<\/span>, a notable teacher and student duo, have formulated their discontent with the state of commercial media and it\u2019s insidious influences on the masses. They both state that the reading of literature, especially classics, as the salvation of society. Yet, they differ in regards to the how much of an effect literature can have on the relative happiness of a society. Williams develops an alternative to Leavis\u2019 binary schematic of culture. This schematic presents two forms of culture: one in which there is a minority whose job is to share literature; this is the culture of knowledge. The other form is the commercial culture, where media is highly valued. On the other hand, Williams provides an alternative to the commercial culture. His idea of a \u201cshared culture\u201d, which encompasses the inaccessibility to education, does not hinder the development of relationships. There is the proposition that the classics are not essential for developing a culture, since there will be another community (that is separate from the educated) that although shares the struggle of not having classics, can still develop familial bonds that strengthen relationships. However, <\/span>Fahrenheit 451<\/span><\/i> establishes a society that has removed literature, but is completely void (in the masses) of not having a shared culture; their culture is individual, lacking, empty-minded, and selfish.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is important to highlight the supposed result to a society that is devoid from any form of literature, since it establishes a baseline of what could happen. Williams proposes that in a shared culture without access to classic literature, there is a mutual sensibility in helping others in the community; you have to help in order to be helped. Reciprocity is the mode in which the individual reconciles with the community. Bradbury discusses a community in which there is no shared reciprocity; the individual is focused on the individual, and there are few interpersonal relationships. And this lack of interpersonal relationships is manifested through the dominance of media.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at a textual example of this hypothetical scenario, when Guy Montag asks his wife Mildred to tone down the television, she replies simply, \u201cThat\u2019s my family.\u201d (Bradbury 46) People in our society today would obviously view this statement as problematic. But, Mildred does not notice anything strange with her form of thinking. Commercial entertainment is so prevalent that familial relationships have been put inferior to a person\u2019s relationship with their television. Their prized possessions are their television screens…. Just like Michael Scott.<\/span><\/p>\n