Both novels Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick addressed problems in a corrupt society. In one world the firemen didn’t put out fires they actually started them outside of the homes of people who were caught reading books. The books were seen as a problem and made people hostile and gave them wicked ideas. Also so many people stopped reading because they were afraid of it. The books were symbolized as feelings that the people couldn’t understand. They were thought to give them rebellious ideas that would cause their society greater problem. However, not having books hindered them because in a way where everybody molded into one person and nobody could think for themselves. In the novel, the government that was in place was run by the fireman who started fires in homes of the people who went against the rules.
There are times when I realize that there is more to this world than the people and places around me. In Fahrenheit 451, the main character Guy Montag states “But they all say the same things and nobody says anything different from anyone else” (31). There is some sort of repetition in what people have to say in the world. To each individual, it may seem important but they don’t realize that someone in another state is saying the same thing. Have I ever taken out the time to actually listen to nature and the people around me? Not really, but at the same time I know of many others who haven’t either.
Bradbury described fluently the characters in his novel. Montag’s wife Mildred was portrayed as what I would call a snob but she is Bradbury’s idea of a citizen who has conformed to society. She asked Montag about when they will be able to put in other “wall set” because it will improve their status as a couple in their society. She doesn’t realize how she is living her life based on what others expect of her. Montag see’s how things have started to change and how he doesn’t want to go along with them. Sometimes I find myself looking long and hard into a mirror to make sure that I don’t slip into society’s grip of materialism. Just like in the end of Fahrenheit 451 Granger says to Montag “Come on now, we’re going to build a mirror factory first and put out nothing but mirrors for the first year and take a long look in them” (164). These two men who once conformed to society now realized that they have changed and needed to see who they have become. I think it is important for everybody to have revelations like this.
In the other world, Philip K. Dick created a society of humans and androids that are confused, paranoid and so lost to even notice how to move forward in life. In this world, having a certain kind of real, authentic pet is a sign of a person’s status. Rick says to his neighbor, “But for you to have two horses and me none, that violates the whole basic theological and moral structure of Mercerism” (11). Rick is caught up in this world where he has a fake, electric sheep and he feels an uncertain pressure from society to have a real animal. The whole society feels that this religion will save them. Everybody belongs to this religious cult known as Mercerism. They believe that Mercer always knows what is right and will test them to make them better people.
In both novels there are problems with the characters finding their own sense of individualism and identity. How do we know what an individual is? In Bradbury’s novel Montag develops as a character. At first he is all about going with the flow and belonging to society. As the plot develops we learn how the society functions as a whole. Everyone believes what they are told about books, knowledge in general and pretty much how they are supposed to act. Would that happen to us if we were told everything to do and think? Nobody can be certain because there will probably always be one person in a crowd who could stand up and have the opposite opinion. It is reassuring when there are many people taking stands and having their own voices because then we see how people aren’t the same and are trying to be different people.
Philip K. Dick set his novel to take place in the future when there is a society that does what they are told and there are no individuals. There is constant questioning and problems because there is no distinct difference between androids and humans. The true test between human beings and androids posing as humans is distinguishing their empathy. Why is empathy really distinctive in humans and why is it important to us? Empathy is the ability to associate and relate to another person’s feelings and difficulties. Rick Deckard questions himself about being and android when he has to retire a female android. He also questions the only thing that seemed certain to him in his life, Mercer, the leader of his world’s religion. When he finally connects with Mercer he is told that “you will be required to do wrong no matter where you go. It is the basic condition of life, to be required to violate your own identity. At some time, every creature is required to do so. It is the ultimate shadow, the defeat of creation; this is the curse at work, the curse that feeds on all life. Everywhere in the universe” (179). Rick learns from Mercer that he isn’t alone in the world and that there are some things everybody does that may seem wrong but they define our lives.
Is there a way to find the individual inside or it is lost once a person conforms to society? I believe that there is a way to conform to society but still be an individual. Rules set down by the government are there to keep everyone in line and to make sure society can function properly. A part of being an individual is believing in yourself, that you actually are one. For the most part, being an individual means being independent.
There will always be a time when things don’t feel right or a person might feel lost in the world. I think these feelings are normal and part of functioning in a normal society. A society is based on a simple power struggles between the average person and the government.
