Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel written by Ray Bradbury in 1953. The story is set in a future society where books are banned and “firemen” burn any that are found. The main character, Guy Montag, is a fireman who begins to question his society’s anti-intellectualism and censorship. He meets a young woman named Clarisse, who helps him discover the value of books and the power of knowledge. Montag becomes disillusioned with his society and ultimately rebels against it by joining a group of rebels who memorize books in order to keep their contents alive. The novel explores themes of censorship, conformity, and the dangers of government control.

There are several ways in which Fahrenheit 451 can be compared and contrasted with modern day times:

• Censorship: In the novel, books are banned and burned in order to control the flow of information and suppress dissenting ideas. While censorship still exists in some parts of the world today, it is not as extreme as it is depicted in the novel. However, there are still concerns about the censorship of certain ideas or information on social media platforms and other online platforms.

• Conformity: In Fahrenheit 451, the society values conformity and discourages individuality. This is reflected in the way people dress and the fact that they are not allowed to think for themselves. In modern times, there is still pressure to conform to certain societal norms and expectations, but there is also a greater emphasis on individuality and the value of diversity.

• Technology: In the novel, technology is used to control and distract people, rather than to empower them. For example, the “seashell” radios that people wear in their ears are used to constantly bombard them with mindless entertainment. Today, technology has the potential to both empower and distract us, depending on how it is used.

• Government control: In Fahrenheit 451, the government has complete control over the lives of its citizens, including what they can read and what they can think. In modern times, there are still concerns about government overreach and the potential for abuse of power, but democratic societies generally have checks and balances in place to prevent this from happening.

Overall, while there are some similarities between Fahrenheit 451 and modern times, there are also significant differences. The novel serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of censorship and the importance of free thought and individuality.