Relationships in Fahrenheit 451 Essay Example

Relationships are the backbone of our lives; it makes us human. In Ray Bradbury's novel Fahrenheit 451, he warns us about what society would be like if technology and solipsistic urges took over our natural desire for intimate relationships. We see the miserable lives of the characters and Montag's realization of how unhappy he is without deep connections. While we may think that what happens in the novel will never happen in our culture, it is occurring already. Our culture normalizes isolating ourselves with technology, prioritizing momentary gratification over intimate bonds with our loved ones. The Lord formed us to create deep bonds with one another, including God Himself; we were not created to do life solitary. In Fahrenheit 451, the characters' pursuit of self-indulgence causes them to forfeit meaningful relationships, and in our society, we fixate on our selfish passions, hindering the creation of purposeful connections, but strong relationships fulfill the God-given, innate yearning for human fellowship.

The theme of meaningless relationships in Bradbury’s novel is depicted by Mildred's friends' behavior toward having children and how Mildred acts toward Montag's feelings and their futile marriage. Mildred's friends view children as a hindrance to their personal lives, shown when  Mrs. Bowles declares, "I plunk the children in school nine days out of ten. I put up with them when they come home from school three days a month; it's not bad at all. You heave them into the 'parlor' and turn the switch. It's like washing clothes; stuff laundry in and slam the lid." She negates creating any connection with her children since she prioritizes her self-gratifying wishes, ultimately bringing her discontentment and misery in the long term. Mrs. Bowles chooses to have technology parent her children instead of creating a strong motherly bond with them. Parallel to the women’s lack of empathy and regard toward their children, Mildred has no concern for her husband’s cognitive health, displayed when Bradbury writes, “No. The same girl. McClellan. McClellan. Run over by a car. Four days ago. I'm not sure. But I think she's dead. The family moved out anyway. I don't know. But I think she's dead.” Mildred's verbiage reveals her absence of sympathy toward her husband’s loss of a genuine relationship; Mildred never appeared to have a profound connection with anyone, elucidating why she shows no compassion. Mildred also isolates herself from any bond with her husband by putting ephemeral happiness over her marriage, depicted when Montag cries out, “Nobody listens any more. I can't talk to the walls because they're yelling at me. I can't talk to my wife; she listens to the walls. I just want someone to hear what I have to say."  Mildred, instilled in a fraudulent family inside the parlor walls, is not experiencing real happiness. Her aimless pursuit of immediate satisfaction is compelling her away from constructing a relationship with Montag, which would bring her true contentment, and Montag desires a connection with his wife, but relationships cannot thrive when they are unjust. His cries show the innate human cravings for intimacy. While the behavior of the characters in the novel toward relationships seems alien and cruel to us, in our society, we also encounter issues that prevent us from confecting meaningful connections. 

In contemporary culture, we frequently put selfish choices over creating intimate bonds by sequestering ourselves from intimacy with technology, families neglecting one another for their individual selfish desires, and the narcissistic urge to prioritize immediate self-gratification. While modern technology intends to bring people closer, it has allowed us to isolate ourselves from deep relationships. Technology is beneficial when making friends, but online conversations lack intimacy. Intimacy is closeness with someone, emotionally or physically; conversations utilizing technology detract the nearness from friendships and separate people. Deep, intimate conversations activate more elevated dopamine, oxytocin, endorphins, and additional biochemical levels that provide us with feelings of well-being and contentment.  Prioritizing fast online contact over face-to-face discussions cannot satisfy our need for socialization because of the absence of intimacy, which humans need for cognitive healthiness. Relationship specialist Dr. David Schramm conducted a study to research the interference of technology in relationships. The results showed that increased use of technology and lower intimate conversations generate higher depression and dissatisfaction rates in relationships; over 88 percent of people agree that technology interference is a huge issue in their lives and families (Reese, Schramm). Families have become not as tight-knit over the years, and the significance of family bonds has declined since we are too indulged in our narcissistic ideals. Humans require companionship for a well-balanced, healthy, and content life. Family is the most meaningful human bond we will ever have. Without strong family relationships, our society will never prosper.  Family values are the roots of the next generation. They inform what kind of people our future decision-makers will grow up to become. (Waters) Without the support and love families produce, our society would become despairing and hopeless, as more family time is proven to improve mental stability. Those with healthy family relationships usually pursue beneficial coping mechanisms for stress, like reaching out to loved ones, instead of harmful outlets, such as substance abuse and self-harm (Waters). Strong, intimate family bonds construct a sounder society in the long term. Our culture, focused on immediate self-gratification, causes family bonds to be seen as unimportant, which is prevalent by people choosing technology over family. It is not unusual to be shut in rooms for hours, enthralled with the digital world and instantaneous pleasure, and withdrawn from socializing with family and friends. With everything being instant on the internet, our generation has grown impatient. Research from Princeton University shows our brains inherently desire short-term gratification. Our brain battles itself over immediate pleasure and long-term happiness. "Our emotional brain has a hard time imagining the future, even though our logical brain sees the future consequences of our current actions," stated David Laibson, professor of behavioral economics. (Bradt) Our human essence causes us to be self-centered, and the instant satisfaction of technology brings that out in us. Instead of focusing on creating deep and meaningful connections, our dependency on technology drives us to expect immediate pleasure without effort. Relationships take time to mature and require effort from both sides, which does not create momentary happiness, but long-term true contentment.