Dehumanization Of Women In Fahrenheit 451, By Ray Bradbury

I would argue that women are often stereotyped and dehumanized as characters in science fiction books. In the novel Fahrenheit 451, written by Ray Bradbury, women are portrayed as weak, emotional, and a hindrance to the male protagonist. This scene in particular is an example of women being objectified. “Mildred ran from the parlor like a native fleeing an eruption of Vesuvius. Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Bowles came through the front door and vanished into the volcano's mouth with martinis in their hands. Montag stopped eating, they were like a monstrous crystal chandelier tinkling in a thousand chimes,” (Bradbury 89). Mildred, the wife of the protagonist Montag, had invited her friends Mrs. Bowles and Mrs. Phelps over to watch a show on her television

Bradbury objectified the women to a chandelier implying women are weaker and emotionally fragile. By objectifying the women Bradbury is dehumanizing them by comparing them to non living objects. Dehumanizing women, objectifying women, and creating these “realistic” women is Bradbury giving them dystopian characteristics, alluding them as perfect women. We see similar ideas in the article Science Fiction’s Women Problem, by Dr. Browyn Lovell. Which discusses the issues of creating “fake” unrealistic women in science fiction. The author states, “Seventy-five percent of science fiction writers are men. Consequently, there are not a great number of realistic or relatable female characters. No wonder fewer female than male readers have traditionally found it a rewarding genre. Indeed feminist science fiction writer and critic Joanna Russ has famously stated that there are “no real women” in science fiction, only images of them since so many women characters are based purely on male fantasy.” (Dr. Lovell). Dr. Lovell makes an excellent point by including the lack of relatable women characters in science fiction. This is mainly due to the fact 75% of science fiction writers are