By contrasting Mildred's actions to Clarisse's actions, Bradbury demonstrates how nobody talks to each other anymore and just spends all their time watching TV.
Mildred, Montag’s wife, does not interact with anybody anymore because she is completely absorbed in technology. When Montag wants to talk to Mildred, she does not want to interact with others and just wants to keep watching television. Montag asks "Will you turn the parlour off?" and Mildred responds "That's my family." Mildred cares more about the television than she does her husband. This demonstrates how technology has brainwashed people and how people care more about technology than relationships. Montag confronts Mildred about her obsession with the parlour: she instantly becomes
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Clarisse is bemused that she has become friends with Montag considering that he is a fireman who he destroys books and knowledge while she is a “hippie” who likes to read and thus thinks that books are very important. "You're one of the few who put up with me” she says; “That's why I think it's so strange you're a fireman, it just doesn't seem right for you, somehow.” From this we can discern that Clarisse is surprised with herself that she has befriended someone with an opposite philosophy. But it also shows a healthy relationship developing between the two because they both enjoy interacting with one another rather than just zoning off and watching television. Because Clarisse spends more time in nature and reading rather than watching television, she notices a lot of little facts about the world. Clarisse challenges Montag, "Bet I know something else you don't. There's dew on the grass in the morning.” Montag becomes flustered because he couldn’t remember whether this was true or not. If Clarisse didn't spend copious amounts of time outside and reading then she wouldn't know quirky facts like this and would be a boring