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When discussing the representation of nova in Fahrenheit 451, the theory section of science fiction is vital. Taking into account that a priority in science fiction is being able to draw traces from the real world, making it possible to predict possible futures. Ray Bradbury is presenting the estrangement used in the novel in the opening line, “It was a pleasure to burn” (p. 1) the reader is greeted with the first contrary norm to contemporary society, separating the reader from what is generally known to emphasize the notion of visionary thinking.
By default, the reader would assume that the firemen’s purpose was to put out the fire, Fahrenheit 451 alienates the assumption and inverse the vision of firemen to the reader.
Showing contrasts in the opening line, Ray Bradbury opens up for a lot of preconceptions about the extraordinary societal extensions in Fahrenheit 451. In addition to firemen burning books instead of extinguishing blazes, the houses in the novel were naturally fireproofed with a thin plastic sheath “No.
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Houses have always been fireproof, take my word for it.” (p. 15) This further shows the futuristic tendencies in Fahrenheit 451, essentially eliminating firefighters’ original purpose.
Bradbury expresses his dissenting thoughts and fairly Luddite views about technological advancement throughout the novel. He does this by degrading human interactions, which starts with rather discreet extrapolations. “Toast popped out of the silver toaster, was seized by a spidery metal hand that drenched it with melted butter. Mildred watched the toast delivered to her plate.” (p. 27-28). Something with such ease has been automated.
Here Bradbury indicates that individuals are distancing themselves from simple tasks, essentially letting technology overthrow plain skills. “She had both ears plugged with electronic bees that were humming the hour away. She looked up suddenly, saw him, and nodded.” Bradbury showcases how technology disrupted human bearing and goes to further show how society is disconnected from its surroundings and lost in the realm of technology.
Bradbury uses Mildred as the embodiment of a stereotypical consumer. He does this by emphasizing the contrasts between Montag and Mildred, with the latter being rather addicted to materialistic items. “It’ll be even more fun when we can afford to have the fourth wall installed. How long you figure before we save up and get the fourth wall torn out and a fourth wall-TV put in?” (p. 30). Even though Montag disapproves, Mildred is constantly on the search for materialistic goods showing her priorities where amusement values more than her relationship with Montag. There is a clear resemblance between the 21st century flat-screen televisions and the wall-TVs in Fahrenheit 451. But in the novel, they serve a purpose much greater, they are the primary domain, in the living room, of a household. Bradbury uses them to show the disconnection to their surroundings and filling the gap in the otherwise empty world in the novel. Mildred is not satisfied with just having one wall-TV, she wants multiple of them which is common for a household in the world of Fahrenheit 451.
The same way Bradbury uses Mildred to illustrate the lack of interaction with society, he uses Montag as a messenger for his thoughts. “The living-room; what a good job of labelling that was now. No matter when he came in, the walls were always talking to Mildred.” (p. 60). Bradbury showcases the consequences of technological isolation. Mildred is so distant from her surroundings and invested in the wall-TVs that she has completely separated herself from society, hindering all interactions with Montag which creates even more distance between them. This ultimately lessens the value of human life in the lack of human contact. The distance between Montag and Mildred, which technology inevitably played a huge part in, is further showed when Montag recalls, “The most significant memory he had of Mildred, really, was of a little girl in a forest without trees (how odd!) or rather a little girl lost on a plateau where there used to be trees” (p. 60). This emphasizes the alienation of the two and how distant they are to each other considering they are spouses. Bradbury is trying to illustrate his concerns for the modern society and how technology will be its inevitable downfall.
Views On Technological Advantances Throughout The Novel Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury. (2024, Feb 28). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/views-on-technological-advantances-throughout-the-novel-fahrenheit-451-by-ray-bradbury-essay
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