Fahrenheit 451: Irony Part 1

Fahrenheit 451 contains an incredible amount of irony.  The first irony actually took place years after the book was written.  This book, which was about a society that banned and burned books, was banned.  I wonder if Bradbury saw that one coming.  Allegedly, some people were upset by the violence and word choices used in the book, especially saying God’s name in vain.  One example of this from the book is, “God damn, they rise like the midnight sun to sweat you in your bed!" (Bradbury 52)  I can understand how this language would offend some people.  I do not agree with it either, but it seems sort of a shame to ban this book since it has such a good message.  Why couldn’t people just ask Bradbury to revise the offensive language without losing the concept of the story?  I think that would have been the best option, but of course, it was too long after it was written to be redone. 

            The first irony that was actually intended from the book was that the firefighters in the book existed to start fires when they received a call that someone had books in his or her house.  The houses in the story were fireproof so there was no need for the traditional firefighters who would put the fires out.   Imagine all of the libraries gone.  Now picture firemen showing up at your house because you are a criminal…for owning a book.  The world in Fahrenheit 451 is remarkably different from the world we live in today.  Clarisse tried having a conversation with Montag once that went like this, “‘Is it true that long ago firemen put fires out instead of going to start them?’" ‘No. Houses. have always been fireproof, take my word for it.’ ‘Strange. I heard once that a long time ago houses used to burn by accident and they needed firemen to stop the flames.’ He laughed.” (Bradbury 3) 

            The next irony is that Montag, a dedicated firefighter, became a rebel, risked his life, and killed his old friend and captain all in the name of saving something which he used to enjoy destroying.  While the exact reason why Montag killed Captain Beatty was to save Faber, he was still collaborating with Faber about books. 

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967. Print.