In Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, conformity is a prominent theme that is explored through various literary techniques. They convey the idea that it harms society by creating barriers to communication and hindering critical thinking. The novel is set in a dystopian future where books are banned, and individuality is discouraged. Bradbury uses his characters' experiences with each other and technologies to demonstrate the dangers of blindly following societal norms. The use of literary devices such as metaphor and symbolism allows him to highlight the harm caused by conformity and warns readers about the dangers of this society.
One prime example of how conformity can harm society is the use of technology in the novel. The seashell earbuds, for instance, serve as a barrier between Mildred and her husband. By using the earbuds to escape from reality and drown out her emotions, Mildred cannot connect with Montag. As the narrator describes, "And in her ears, the little Seashells, the thimble radios tamped tight, and an electronic ocean of sound, of music and talk and music and talk coming in, coming in on the shore of her unsleeping mind" (page 10). The technology used in the novel ultimately prevents individuals from communicating effectively and leads to a lack of emotional connections.
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When the narrator describes Mildred as "a charcoal sketch, a drawing waiting for the rest of the shading,"(page 10) it suggests that Mildred's lack of individuality has left her incomplete and unfulfilled. The earbuds have not only made her emotionally distant but also prevent her from communicating with her husband. As Montag tries to connect with her, he "called her name, but she was lost in the music's threads" (page 10). This quote underscores how technology serves as a barrier to communication and can harm