In Fahrenheit 451 why must fire captains have book knowledge?

In Ray Bradbury's *Fahrenheit 451*, fire captains don't necessarily need book knowledge. In fact, the novel explicitly portrays them as anti-intellectual and pro-burning.

Here's why:

* The Firemen's Role: Firemen in this dystopian society are not there to extinguish fires. They are tasked with burning books and the homes of anyone found possessing them. They are essentially agents of the oppressive government, enforcing censorship and conformity.

* Captain Beatty's Philosophy: Captain Beatty, the fire captain, actively discourages intellectualism and critical thinking. He views books as dangerous, promoting dissent and individual thought. He believes happiness lies in mindless entertainment and conformity.

* Knowledge as a Threat: The government in *Fahrenheit 451* fears knowledge and the potential for people to question their authority. They see books as a threat to their control.

In summary, fire captains in *Fahrenheit 451* are not required to have book knowledge. Instead, their role is to uphold the government's agenda of suppressing knowledge and maintaining societal control.