The firemen, whose job is to burn books, are tasked with eliminating any literature they encounter. This includes:
* Fiction: Novels, short stories, poems
* Non-fiction: History books, scientific treatises, philosophical texts
* Religious texts: The Bible, Quran, etc.
* Any other printed material: Newspapers, magazines, journals
The only books that are allowed are those considered "harmless," such as cookbooks, self-help books, and children's books with simple stories.
The novel explores the consequences of censorship and the importance of knowledge and critical thinking.