The novel describes the American society of the future, in which books are prohibited, since books are not only a source of knowledge, but also a lever of thought. ⠀
The government of the future does not need educated and thinking citizens. ⠀
Scientists, philosophers, lawyers, historians are not needed. ⠀
The government of the future needs uneducated slaves to work in factories. ⠀
Give them silly TV shows and some money. Let it shut up.
People who read or distribute books are equated with extremists and enemies of the state. ⠀
A special squad will burn any books they find. ⠀
Guy Montag is a member of such a squad. ⠀
In the course of the novel, he becomes disillusioned with the ideals of society, of which he is a part and joins a small underground group that is trying to preserve books for posterity, so that a reasonable generation can then object.
Bradbury's future world shocked me. ⠀
I was shocked not even by what the government was doing, but by the fact that this world of the future had already arrived. He is here. On the doorstep. He persistently knocks on our doors.
If you have not read this book - read it or listen to it in audio format. ⠀
As a last resort, read at least the monologue of Firemaster Beatty.