Hound And Humanity In Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury

Hound and Humanity Christian Lous Lange states, “Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.” Ray Bradbury utilizes this idea while writing his world of Fahrenheit 451. Technology has proven valuable in everyday life; however, Bradbury reveals its faults throughout his novel. In the book, The Mechanical Hound presents similarities with the people of the society. They both show their dependence on technology and lifeless presence. The Mechanical Hound depends on technology and connects to it daily. When Bradbury introduces the Hound, he describes it. Bradbury says, “Light flickered on bits of ruby glass and on sensitive capillary hairs in the nylon brushed nostrils of the creature that quivered gently, its eight legs spidered

As Bradbury introduces the Hound, he writes that it is entirely made up of technology and materials. He illustrates it as a large dog, wholly controlled and made of technology. He mentions the bits of “ruby glass” and “rubber-padded paws” it has. The Hound is not only made entirely of technology, but also is surrounded by it, so it is all it knows. Technology takes up everything in their society. The total population in the society utilizes and relies on technology every day. As Montag speaks to Mildred, her reliance is revealed by her in her actions. Bradbury states, “She had both ears plugged with electronic bees that were humming the hour away… She was an expert at lip reading from ten years of apprenticeship at Seashell ear-thimbles” (Bradbury 16). As the novel progresses, Bradbury reveals people’s reliance on technology. Mildred has gone every day for ten years

As Bradbury introduces the Mechanical Hound, he says, “The Mechanical Hound slept but did not sleep, lived but did not live” (Bradbury 21). The Hound has no ability to distinguish between life and death. It has no emotion to give it life or presence. It merely runs on technology with a robot’s brain, no real thoughts, no real mind. Additionally, a fireman states, “It doesn’t think anything we don’t want it to think” (Bradbury 25). This reveals the Hound’s lack of life and obedience to technology. Technology is what gives it life; however, the life it has given is not even real when it is completely overruled and enslaved by its own creator. The society of the novel is very similar to the Mechanical Hound, human or not. Humanity bears a lifeless presence in the company of technology. As the men come to rescue Mildred from her attempted suicide, Montag asks why they aren’t qualified. The man says, “ We get these cases nine or ten a night… You do not need an M.D., case like this; all you need is two handymen” (Bradbury 13). Suicide in society is so common that they do not seem bothered and do not even need doctors on sight. This reveals humanity’s lack of presence and reluctance to keep living. Their lives circle the new advancements of life, but they do not give them any happiness. A lack of liveliness and vitality is illustrated and identical to the Mechanical Hounds. Their equal value and emptiness in life are