Theme Of Isolation In Fahrenheit 451

Ray Bradbury knew that the screens isolated communities, just as they did with Mildred and Montag. This isolation is expressed by Montag in the following quote: “He reached over and pulled the tiny musical insect out of her ear. ‘Mildred. Mildred?’ ‘Yes.’ Her voice was faint. He felt he was one of those creatures electronically inserted between the slots of phono-color walls, speaking, but the speech not piercing the crystal barrier. He could only pantomime, hoping she would turn his way and see him. They would not touch the glass” (Bradbury 47). In here technology is again represented as a barrier between Mildred and Montag. Bradbury refers to the device as an insect, giving it negative connotations. The communication between them is

It is implied Mildred does the same since she never expresses any of her doubts or concerns to Montag.

In addition to relationship between Mildred and Montag, many other relationships vary based on use of technology. The parlor walls, Seashells, and other devices work and separate relationships between people. For example, the conversations between Mrs Phelps, Mrs Bowles, and Mildred: “‘Doesn’t everyone look nice!’ ‘Nice.’ ‘Everyone looks swell.’ ‘Swell!’” (Bradbury 93). None of these women could add on to the conversation at all: no input, no concern, no opinion. The whole exchange was two-dimensional and unfocused. In fact, everything was focused on the flashing screen of the parlor walls, not their own ideas. Only when Montag pulled the plug did they share their thoughts. This is related to life today because the living room centerpiece is just like the living room centerpiece of Montag home: a screen. This screen dictates people’s attention and communication around it, limiting people’s conversation to what is on the screen. According to TIME Magazine, people spend 2.5 hours of their leisure time watching TV. Watching TV is the second most time consuming activity, and the