Fahrenheit 451 Question 5

            Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 in 1950-1953 in Los Angeles, California.  The novel takes place in the future of the twenty-fourth century.  “The 24th century of the anno Domini (common) era will span from January 1, 2301 to December 31, 2400 of the Gregorian calendar. Unlike most century years, the year 2400 is a leap year, and the first century leap year since 2000” (Twenty-fourth).  It would be hard to write a book about the future because you have to predict every single event.  Ray Bradbury did a very nice job predicting the future. 

            In Fahrenheit 451, a commercial for Denham’s Dentifrice repeatedly plays in Guy Montag’s mind.  He hears it everywhere.  Denham’s Dentifrice is common toothpaste just like Colgate is for us.  Everyone listens to commercials, whether it is on television or on the radio.  Some can be interesting while others can be so annoying.  The worst part is, is that the annoying commercials always stick in you mind.  “It is the advertisement that keeps playing over and over so that the people can not think -- akin to our modern advertising blitz that puts the idea into our minds to buy, buy, buy without thinking” (What).  This is talking about the significance of Denham’s Dentifrice in Fahrenheit 451. 

            While on the subway heading to Faber’s house, Guy Montag is busy reading the Bible he stole from Mrs. Blake’s burning house.  In the background, the commercial for Denham’s Dentifrice plays repeatedly.  “The people who had been sitting a moment before, tapping their feet to the rhythm of Denham's Dentifrice, Denham's Dandy Dental Detergent, Denham's Dentifrice Dentifrice Dentifrice, one two, one two three, one two, one two three. The people whose mouths had been faintly twitching the words Dentifrice Dentifrice Dentifrice. The train radio vomited upon Montag, in retaliation, a great tonload of music made of tin, copper, silver, chromium, and brass” (Bradbury 79).  This makes Montag freak out and ends up yelling at the radio to shut up. 

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Del Rey Book, 1991. Print.

"Twenty-fourth Century." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 07 Nov. 2012. Web. 30 July 2012.  

         

"What Is the Significince of Denham's Dentifrice Fahrenheit 451?" WikiAnswers. Answers, n.d. Web. 30 July 2012.