Fahrenheit 451 Quote Analysis

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States claims, “We are as happy as we make our minds to be”. In Ray Bradbury’s science fiction novel, Fahrenheit 451, Mildred and Montag, a married couple live in a technologically advanced society where books along with any other items or activities that provoke thought are not allowed. Drowning in technology, the society absorbs in distractions such as television and earbuds that isolate themselves. Though Mildred claims she lives her life satisfied, she proves she rejects her unhappiness by escaping society with meaningless relationships, drowning in technology, and attempting to commit suicide.
Mildred's superficial relationship with Montag demonstrates her distance from human interaction.

In order to sleep Mildred relies on little earphones that go in her ears that provide entertainment. Following Montag’s conversation with Clarisse, he walks into his bedroom to see Mildred in bed, "And in her ears the little Seashells, the thimble radios (tamp) tight, and an electronic ocean of sound, of music and talk and music and talk (come) in, coming on the shore of her unsleeping mind." (Bradbury 10). Using the adjective ¨tight¨ to describe the seashells in her ears further reveals they are blocking out the outside noise. This outside noise includes comments from Montag and even one's own thoughts running through the brain. The earbuds pour out ¨music and talk and music and talk¨ which consists of music, news, and conversation that the society channels in. The ¨music and talk¨ is the brainwashing material that is negatively affecting these citizens. The technological devices like these earbuds seize the lives of these people. Constantly being ¨plugged in¨ shelters one from surroundings, and does not allow minds to think on their own and further limits their knowledge. Referring to Mildred´s mind as ¨unsleeping¨ the reader can infer that she does not sleep. It is difficult to fall asleep when there is a problem or your emotions are negative. As well as her earbuds, Mildred is addicted to the technological parlor walls in the living room. Curious about Mildred´s TV family, Montag asks Mildred a few questions about the play. Mildred gives a brief answer but immediately goes on to say that "It'll be even more fun when we can afford to have the fourth wall installed. How long you figure before we save up (to) get the fourth wall torn out and a fourth wall-TV put in? It's only two thousand dollars." (Bradbury 20). Longing for a fourth wall of television conveys her capability of submerging in technology to withdraw from certain roles