Disconnection Of Humanity In Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury

Disconnection of Humanity Through Technology

While technology can be used as a tool for widespread communication and entertainment, if used incorrectly, the negative effects of its usage outweigh the positive. These detrimental effects are displayed through the users of technology, including both individuals and societies as a whole. Over time, society can become so negatively impacted by their use of technology that faith in humanity is lost. This restriction of faith in humanity comes in many forms. Whether technology’s damaging effects are visible through society’s lack of human connection, harm to pure relationships, or endangerment of civilian lives, technology causes faith in humanity to be lost. Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451 exemplifies

In Fahrenheit 451, Mildred’s “deep” connection to the parlor and her refusal to turn it off affects her relationship with Montag because she spends more time communicating with technology than with her husband. During one of the few conversations between Montag and Mildred, Montag asks “‘Will you turn the parlor off?,’” to which Mildred responds, “‘That’s my family…’ ‘I’ll turn it down.’” (Bradbury 46). Mildred’s acknowledgment of the parlor as her family proves how technology has taken a more personal role in her life. The fact that she refuses to turn off her ‘family’ and goes against Montag’s wishes demonstrates the control that the parlor has over her. Instead of spending quality time with her husband or her real-life family, Mildred prefers her stronger connection with the parlor. Technology not only limited her interaction with Montag but essentially replaced it. This minimizes faith in humanity since the time that could be spent building stronger, more meaningful connections is consumed by technology, as seen with Mildred and the parlor. Furthermore, Reynolds Price’s “The Great Imagination Heist” exemplifies how in more recent times, technology draws people away from each other, causing a lack of strength in relationships. According to Price, “Most high-school graduates have spent more time watching television than they've spent in school” (Price par. 1). Attending school allows students to learn both academically and socially by building relationships through daily communication. However, Price argues that technology, such as television, gets in the way of these possible relationships. Instead of building stronger, more meaningful connections, newer generations choose to spend their time using technology. This detrimental choice limits faith in humanity because people choose to spend