Lifestyles In Ray Bradbury's 'Fahrenheit 451'

Fahrenheit 451

“Happiness is important. Fun is everything. And yet I kept sitting there saying to myself, I am not happy, I am not happy.” -Guy Montag (****Bradbury) Living in a society that blinds its citizens into believing in false happiness leads to a multitude of problems later. The lifestyles that were lived in Fahrenheit 451 are similar and can be connected in many ways to what is seen today. Although one could argue that these two societies are different because of their ‘book burning,’ it is clear to see the commonalities shared in technology and their personal relationships. As seen in today’s society, as well as throughout Fahrenheit 451, a common shared characteristic is the extreme dependency they both have on technology. Frequently

In Fahrenheit 451 Guy and Mildred’s marriage was on the verge of breaking up because of constant fighting, sleeping in a different beds, and Mildred even betrays her own husband by turning him in for hiding books. (Bradbury 114) In 2010 a study was done by Pew Research Center, a center based out of Washington D.C., research showed that thirty nine percent of all adults in the U.S. believe their marriage is becoming obsolete and fifty four percent of all marriages end in divorce. (Divorce) As read in the novel, Mildred and her friends appear to have little emotional connection with their husbands and take the responsibility of being wives very lightly. In one case Mrs. Pete simply says “‘Oh they come and go, come and go…’” as if the husbands are the weather or a change season. (Bradbury 94) Parents in Fahrenheit 451 have poor relationships with their children, as well, throughout the book. Mrs. Bowles said, “‘I put up with them when they come home three days a month; it’s not bad at all.’”(Bradbury 96) In today’s society, it is not uncommon for children to spend more time in daycare than they do with their families or at home. Children are dropped off early in the morning at daycare and their parents pick them up eight to twelve hours later when they finish at work. After arriving home at the end of a long day, not a lot of time or energy is left to connect with their

In both worlds the time spent on technology is to such an extreme that it consumes their lives to an unhealthy point. This in turn affects relationships in a negative way, by taking them away from personal time with family and friends. Similarities are shared between these two worlds but the slim difference remains, for the time being books are still here. While writing this book in 1953, Ray Bradbury predicted the current society of today. The world of Fahrenheit 451 and the world of today are the