The Perils of Technology (Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Essay Example)

In the dystopian classic Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury communicates that technology impedes one’s intelligence and weakens relationships with others. Guy Montag, the protagonist, has a wife named Mildred who immerses herself in the digital world. She constantly has the television on, or is listening to the radio in her ear. Consequently, Mildred’s dependence towards technology reduces her intelligence, and she has a poor memory. There is not much interaction between Mildred and Montag in the novel, as Montag is unable to have a true heart to heart conversation with Mildred. Throughout the novel Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury implies the dangers of technology by illustrating how it stunts intellectual growth and harms relationships with others. 

As technology continues to advance, the effect it has on society hinders intellectual development. When Montag’s coworker, Beatty, explains to Montag the history of firemen, Beatty describes how advancements in the digital world cause the mind to become increasingly inactive due to reduced thinking. During Beatty’s talk, Beatty states that, “...Hamlet was a one-page digest in a book that claimed: now at last you can read all the classics; keep up with your neighbors. Do you see? Out of the nursery and into the college and back to the nursery; there’s your intellectual pattern for the past five centuries or more” (55). As Beatty mentions during his lecture to Montag, all the classics are condensed so citizens can complete it sooner, the conclusion is made even before citizens have time to think deeply about it. Beatty says, sarcastically, that because of this, the “intellectual pattern” of citizens fluctuates between nursery and college level intelligence, meaning that citizens are getting less knowledgeable even as they pursue educational degrees. Additionally, citizens do not strive to gain knowledge and intellectual growth. Though citizens are “reading” all the classics, their intelligence drops because of the advancements in the digital age, as citizens only engage in activities that instantly gratify them, like watching television. This decline in acuity is evident in the novel, where Mildred obtains all her knowledge from the television. Thus, Mildred’s intelligence lowers and soon she can only think and speak in bursts. As emphasized through Beatty’s talk with Montag, technological advancements suppress intellectual growth while making citizens more addicted to the screen. 

Besides harming intelligence, technology also weakens relationships with others, and Bradbury indicates the impact of technology through a conversation between Mildred and Montag. Since Mildred is extremely attached to technology, she does not have time to interact with Montag, nor does she want to. In one rare instance in the novel where they have a true conversation, Montag asks her about where they met. Mildred thinks for a moment, then exclaims, “‘Don’t get excited, I’m trying to think.’ She laughed an odd little laugh that went up and up. ‘Funny, how funny, not to remember where or when you met your husband’r wife’ ”(43). As shown from the quote, Mildred takes it lightly, laughing and describing it as “funny” how she cannot recall where she met Montag. Mildred seems eager to drop the topic, revealing how her relationship with Montag is not an important part of her life. Furthermore, Mildred’s addiction to technology deteriorates her ability to have face to face interactions with others. After Mildred says this to Montag, she ends the conversation and rushes to the bathroom, showing how Mildred feels uncomfortable and is not used to having conversations, even with her own husband. Mildred’s indifference and lack of ability to connect with Montag will only cause more isolation and less connection in the future. Bradbury reinforces the perils of the technology by illustrating how a lowered intelligence also threatens bonds and relationships with others. 

Through crafting Montag and Mildred’s relationship, Bradbury demonstrates how technology stunts intelligence and causes disconnection in relationships. Although written more than half a century ago, Bradbury’s story ominously warns readers about the dangers of technology. The alarming effects depicted in the novel should cause readers to reflect on the correlations with society today and encourage them to establish deeper bonds with others.