Fahrenheit 451

How does this quote contribute to your understanding of the topics of Censorship and Happiness vs. Distraction?

“The most important thing for you to remember, Montag, is we’re the Happiness Boys, the Dixie Duo, you and I and the others. We stand against the small tide of those who want to make everyone unhappy with conflicting theory and thought. We have our fingers in the dike. Hold steady. Don’t let the torrent of melancholy and drear philosophy drown our world. We depend on you. I don’t think you realize how important you are, we are, to our happy world as it stands now.”

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In this quote, Beatty speaks to the fact that "firemen" are an important tool is censorship. Burning books, destroying peoples' lives..... all done for the greater good. Don't ask questions or seek answers.... they might lead to curiosity, mistrust, a desire for explanations. Keeping people ignorant, stopping the flow of information (fingers in the dike), keeps people oblivious and complacent. Ignorance breeds happiness.

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Fahrenheit 451