Fahrenheit 451 Humanity Analysis

Humanity. Our mortality, human nature, how people think and how they act. The humanness that, essentially, defines people as human. In the book Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury creates a world where technology is everything, where knowledge and useful information is forbidden. In the novel, people are isolated, addicted to the screens that light up their dark rooms, watching shows on parlor walls. Mankind’s overdependence on technology and how it impacts human emotions and their humanity is the most significant theme that appears several times throughout the novel.

In the book, Bradbury poses and gives his answer to the question of what humans will become if technology controls all aspects of their lives. This theme appears several times, showing

When Montag turns off the “family” Millie gets fidgety and nervous. Without technology, Mildred is emotionally detached; this trait is portrayed when she casually mentions Clarisse’s death, not seeming worried or concerned in the slightest. The only thing she seems to care about is the “family”, even when Montag inquires, “‘Millie, does… does your “family” love you, love you very much, love you with all their heart and soul, Millie?’” (73). She once again displays her concern only for the “family” when she turns Montag in. She rushes out the door, worried about the “family” getting burnt, feeling bad for three TV screens and the programs played on them. Another example of this emotional detachment comes from Clarisse’s family. Captain Beatty labels them as eccentric when he tells Montag, “We’ve a record on her family. We’ve watched them carefully. Heredity and environment are funny things. You can’t rid yourselves of all the odd ducks in just a few years” (60). They’re considered strange, odd, different. And yet, they are the most similar to humans today, conversing late into the night, talking to each other, sharing their thoughts with one

Emotions can also put people in all sorts of situations - anger causing someone to think irrationally, unhappiness leading to depression and, possibly, suicide. Although distractions can be hindrances when people are trying to complete projects or finish paragraphs, they can also be useful. People can distract themselves to take their mind off something for a while, they can immerse themselves in a book, a video game, a movie. Emotions are part of what makes people human, and empathy helps us bond and connect with