Fahrenheit 451 ignites reading discussionsBy Susan Braunstein, Programming LibrarianIn the classic book Fahrenheit 451, author Ray Bradbury paints a picture of a librarian’s worst nightmare: flames lick around the pages of books, destroying literature and knowledge. The firemen of Bradbury’s novel have the job of burning the written word, rather than putting out fires. With today’s availability of books in libraries, bookstores, and online publishing, it is hard to imagine a world without books. In interviews, Bradbury said that part of his inspiration was the memory of Adolph Hitler burning books in the streets of Berlin. 451 is an excellent opportunity for South Dakotans to get involved with the Big Read program. Rapid City is one of eight communities in the state promoting activities throughout April and May. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, and is designed to provide people with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book with in their communities. Partnering with the NEA on the project are the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest; the South Dakota Center for the Book received an NEA programming grant to make this project possible. The central theme of Fahrenheit 451 focuses on censorship, government control, media influence and checking out of life with drugs and technology. Bradbury’s novel remains relevant today, even though it was written in 1953; there is a common debate in discussions about this book as to whether the technology of today actually brings people closer together or drives them into their own narrow worlds, avoiding face to face contact. Bradbury definitely used old technology when he rented a typewriter in the basement of the UCLA library and wrote this book in nine days. His vision of the future has caused controversy over the years; at one point some educators convinced the publisher to release an altered version because they objected to certain passages. Bradbury then convinced the publisher to go back to the original, which is the version that has been published since 1980. The main character, Montag, is a fireman whose job entails burning books. His wife Mildred and the general public are over-saturated by the media and obsessed with their artificial “families” on the screen, completely disconnected from real family interactions. Would today’s reality shows fit this description? Montag may be unhappy with his life on a minimal level but becomes deeply disturbed after he meets Clarisse, who questions why he is a fireman and why he has such a narrow view of the world. She is not afraid to explore to the universe even when in peril for doing so. From his meeting with her, Montag is never the same and he can’t go back to his safe, benign thoughts. The book was made into a film in 1966 with Oskar Werner as Montag and Julie Christie in a dual role of Clarisse and Montag's wife. The movie will be shown at the Elks Theatre on April 28, 6:30 p.m., with a film discussion afterwards. The Rapid City Public Library and the Voices of the Heartland Film Group are sponsoring this event. Another natural 451 partnership is with the Rapid City Fire Department. Firemen will present programs throughout the month of April: you will find storytelling firemen with fire trucks and a Lunch and Learn event with a fire prevention theme. Schools are also a part of the Big Read, and middle school and high school students are invited to enter three Big Read contests. Essay contest participants are asked to answer the question, “If I could save just one book it would be…” in 800 words or less. Essay winners could receive a Borders gift certificate valued at $75 for the first prize, a $50 gift certificate for second place, and third place is a $25 gift certificate. Members of the Black Hills Writers Group will judge the essays. The video contest asks the filmmaker to make a movie 15 minutes or less that describes the “Freedom to Read.” The first place winner will receive a digital camera, and second and third places will receive MP3 players. Filmmaker Milt Lee will judge the video submissions. Artists who are inspired by the book can create original artwork of any type. First prize is a Derwent set of fine art pencils in a wooden case; second place, a Reeves watercolor set; and third place, a set of drawing pencils with a large sketchpad. Victoria Ledford, education curator at the Dahl Arts Center will judge the art. To enter the contests you can submit your work on line or bring it to the library. Information and entry forms can be found on the Teen page on www.rapidcitylibrary.org. BIG READ EVENTS: |