distraction and happiness theme

Question 1

avoiding emotions

Answer 1

the constant motion and titillation is designed to help people suppress their sadness and avoid any kind of intense emotion or difficult thoughts and experiences

the people have come to equate this motion, fun and distraction with happiness

Question 2

difficult thoughts

Answer 2

Fahrenheit 451 makes the case that engaging with difficult and uncomfortable thoughts and experiences are the only routes to happiness

only through this can people achieve a real and meaningful engagement with the world

Question 3

mildred

Answer 3

she lacks connection to the world and as a result feels despairing

makes her more determined to distract herself by watching more TV or overdosing

Question 4

vicious cycle

Answer 4

the result is a vicious cycle, where people are scared to expose themselves to any emotion or difficulty as they’ll have to face their despair

in reality its their avoidance of these thoughts and feelings that creates their despair

Question 5

acknowledging emotions

Answer 5

by acknowledging his unhappiness Montag can resist his society’s oppressive “happiness” and thought-suppression

“we have everything we need to be happy, but we aren’t happy”

“are you happy”

Question 6

role of a fireman

Answer 6

to enforce thought-suppression

“the important thing for you to remember, Montag, is we’re the Happiness Boys”