Literary Analysis of Fahrenheit 451
Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 is a continuous narration of the modern society in which the main character, Guy Montag, lives in. Montag’s job as a fireman is to burn any form of literature, as knowledge and intellectual development is harshly shunned upon in the specific setting of the novel. Montag’s rebellious experiences throughout the book emphasize the ignorant and deteriorating nature of society due to the development of technology. Montag’s wife, Mildred, is a prime example of this : Throughout the novel, her addiction to the TV parlor she had Montag install (which she refers to as her “family”), continuously brainwashes her to lose touch with reality and also lose touch with the only “sincere” relationship
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Which can be seen in the situation that was mentioned before, where Montag had been explaining to Mildred her mindless overdose on sleeping pills the night before. In this quote, Mildred’s lack of capability to feel any form of emotion is represented through Bradbury’s choice of commentary on the conversation when he narrates, “She was quite obviously waiting for him to go. ‘I didn’t do that,’ she said. ‘Never in a billion years’” (17). Her lack of care is a cause of her technology addiction, as it has desensitized her to any form of meaningful conversation she would ever have with her husband. Her attention is so clearly drawn towards the TV parlor rather than what her husband is trying to explain to her. Another example of this can be seen through another one of Montag’s attempts to have a meaningful conversation with Mildred, as he questions Mildred if she has any memory of how they both met. Mildred responds that she has no idea, while laughing and Montag’s response of, “Funny, how funny, not to remember where or when you met husband or wife….. It doesn't matter” (40), emphasizes the contrast in emotions between the couple. Mildred seems to have no care whatsoever, due to the emotional desensitization that technology had exposed her to, although on the other hand, this deeply hurts Montag. Based on her response, Mildred’s husband concludes that the TV parlor has brainwashed Mildred so much to the point where he cannot seem to enjoy nor pursue a relationship with her. This dynamic is clearly stated in Bradbury’s narration, when he comments, “Well wasn’t there a wall between him and Mildred, when you come down to it? Literally not just one wall, but so far as three! And