Fahrenheit 451 is set in a dystopian future where history and books are outlawed.
Instead of putting out fires, however, he’s called to start them, burning contraband books and knowledge.
The written word is considered illegal and mass media is the sole source of information, causing society to grow complacent and carefree, no longer questioning the status quo.
Though Montag thinks he is perfectly happy, an encounter with an inquisitive and insightful teenage girl causes him to doubt his place and his job book burning, putting him into conflict with his mentor, Beatty.