Will You Turn The Parlor Walls In Fahrenheit 451

Throughout history, society has bared witness to the effects the use of technology has imposed on humanity and individual lives. These effects have changed the directory of how one lives. There have been advantageous contributions made by technology, but there have also been unfavorable contributions that have come out of the advancements of technology. These effects are evident in the novel, Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury. In Bradbury’s society of Fahrenheit 451, the overuse of technology possesses the most severe effects such as a lack of deep, personal connections with others, and an over-reliance on devices to fill the needs of society.

One of the clearest negative effects imposed by the overuse of technology in Fahrenheit 451 is the

When talking to her husband, Montag, she defends the people on the parlor walls because they are her “family”. The text says, “‘Will you turn the parlor off?’ He asked. ‘That’s my family.’ ‘Will you turn it off for a sick man?’ ‘I’ll turn it down.’” (Bradbury 46). Mildred’s unwillingness to turn off the parlor walls emphasizes her true mental state. Mildred spends all her time in front of the walls watching the people on them interact and even interacting with them herself. Moreover, she has formed such a connection with the people on the walls that she begins believing the people on the parlor walls are her family. She interacts with them as if they are actually there. Mildred confides in her technological family more than she does her actual, human husband. For instance, Mildred has been married to Montag for many years, yet she is still unable to have deep conversations with him, which is evident in her short, blunt responses. Through her consistent use of technology, Mildred becomes more and more disconnected from reality and, as a result, isolates herself from Montag. The effects of overusing technology are also

For example, when Clarisse confides in Montag about her school life, she discloses, “‘I guess I’m everything they say I am, all right. I haven't any friends. That’s supposed to prove I’m abnormal. But everyone I know is either shouting or dancing around like wild or beating up one another.’” (Bradbury 27). Clarisse does not fit in because she does not adhere to social norms. Her desire for knowledge and independent-thinking is seen as unusual. Additionally, these unique desires separate her from the rest and ultimately, cause her not to have any friends. So, she is categorized as abnormal because of her differences. Although it is sorrowful that Clarisse does not have friends due to her distinctive characteristics, conformity is based on the want to fit in and is, in some ways, controllable, whereas the use of technology serves as an intractable disease with no fix. When Montag begins feeling disconnected from Mildred, he asks her a question. The text mentions, “‘When did we meet? And where?’...He clarified it. ‘The first time we ever met, where was it, and when?’ ‘Why it was at—’ She stopped. ‘I don't know,’ she said. ‘Can’t you remember?’ ‘It’s been so long.’ ‘Only ten years, that's all, only ten!’” (Bradbury 40). Mildred has unknowingly shared her priorities with Montag. Based on Montag’s reaction, it can be inferred that he cares about these details because he gets upset when Mildred can not