In Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 the theme, man verse society is demonstrated by Bradbury's character, Guy Montag by comparing the two different outlooks of society in the world he lives in. In this novel of a fireman, Montag faces society and must deal with it on his own. "Nobody listens anymore"(pg.82). The society does not listen to people only the television that controls society. The television turned into a brainwashing machine rather than leisure entertainment. " I just want someone to listen to what I have to say" (pg.82). Montag must deal against everyone because everyone thinks the same as one another. He has no one to turn to because no one will listen to him or agree with him besides the very few that are out there. Montag explains to Professor Faber how he has to deal with society. Nobody listens any more. I can't talk to the walls because they"re yelling at me. I can't talk to my wife; she listens to the walls. I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if I talk long enough, it"ll make sense. And I want you to teach me to understand what I read. (Pg.82) The whole society that Montag lives in is brainwashed by the television. The television has the control over the entire society, over everything and everyone. Montag starts to understand the world more than behind a screen when he meets a girl named, Clarisse. Since everyone is brainwashed and gullible to whatever is thrown at them Montag feels he is alone. Montag dealt with his problems and did everything he could including leaving his past behind. Montag must also deal with himself, which creates the theme, man verse self. "About what?, Me,? My house? (pg.135). This is when the police where after Montag because they know he knows how everything really is. Montag had to deal with secret information within him. " But I did not speak, and thus became guilty myself"(pg.82). He couldn't deal with the things he knew and felt like something must be done.
