One of the most remarked upon themes of Fahrenheit 451 is the theme of censorship, this idea that information and/or ideas can be withheld or erased. Clearly, Bradbury advocates for the right of the individual to think and to make choices for himself or herself. I wonder what YOU think? Below you will find a number of secondary sources that all discuss various aspects of censorship - ranging from a definition/overview to specific, modern issues or questions - discussions that I hope will provoke thought and help to clarify where you stand.
All of the secondary sources in this section (with one exception) are from Issues and Controversies Facts on File Inc.. You have access to this database through the Timmins High & Vocational School Library. Should you require access off-campus, you can type "Facts on File" into a google search, enter the username (thvs), enter the password (blues), and select "Issues and Controversies." I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with this database so that you have a jumpstart when it comes time to research. For now, I will include PDF versions of articles that relate to the idea of censorship in the modern world.
All of the secondary sources in this section (with one exception) are from Issues and Controversies Facts on File Inc.. You have access to this database through the Timmins High & Vocational School Library. Should you require access off-campus, you can type "Facts on File" into a google search, enter the username (thvs), enter the password (blues), and select "Issues and Controversies." I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with this database so that you have a jumpstart when it comes time to research. For now, I will include PDF versions of articles that relate to the idea of censorship in the modern world.
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In a novel that abounds in ironies, I suppose it should come as no surprise that Bradbury, was himself, a victim of a great irony. In publishing a novel about the dangers of censorship (self-imposed or otherwise), Bradbury found his beloved Fahrenheit 451 CENSORED! In the 1960's school boards who wished to use Bradbury's novel in classrooms were concerned about several references to "inappropriate" ideas, including sexuality and drug use. As Eller notes in his article "The Story of Fahrenheit 451" (contained in your class text and included as a link on the Fahrenheit 451 landing page), "A special 'Bal-Hi" edition, first printed in 1967, retained the typesetting of the first edition, but the text was altered at nearly a hundred points to remove profanity and references to sexuality, drinking, drug use, and nudity. This version was never intended to replace the mass-market paperback, but beginning in 1973 the censored text was accidentally transferred to successive printings of the commercial text" (185).
It was not until students noticed differences between the first edition and the subsequent editions that they wrote to Bradbury, who was ignorant of the changes. Understandably, he was not amused. He had the error corrected, and published "Coda for Fahrenheit 451" (also in your class text). In this article he puts up a stout defense of the author's write to choose his own words and advises meddlers not to tamper with his work. I will include a PDF copy for your reference, thought, and (most certainly) your amusement.
It was not until students noticed differences between the first edition and the subsequent editions that they wrote to Bradbury, who was ignorant of the changes. Understandably, he was not amused. He had the error corrected, and published "Coda for Fahrenheit 451" (also in your class text). In this article he puts up a stout defense of the author's write to choose his own words and advises meddlers not to tamper with his work. I will include a PDF copy for your reference, thought, and (most certainly) your amusement.
coda_from_ray_bradbury_for_fahrenheit_451.pdf | |
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