Imagine living in a black and white world were nobody has no true color. A novel written by Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 is series of complex characters such as the main character Montag as the protagonist and Captain Beatty as the antagonist. Montag lives in a world where books are prohibited, and firemen cause the fires not only that but, at night so the fire puts on a show for the world.
In addition to the concept of burning books this leads to the destruction of education and reading impacts personal relationships in the society of the novel. In Bradbury’s novel it shows many themes as to why censorship or the burning of books effects personal relationships within the society such as the abuse of technology, fear of knowledge, and the government.
Technology has evolved from many years ago to a flip phone to a phone with a touch screen. In Fahrenheit 451, they use bullets a device used like earbuds and parlor walls as huge flat screen tv’s that can interact with you. With these devices can practically control what you believe or manipulate what you see. For Example, Montag and his wife Mildred barely have a connection between them, why? Because the only family she has are the parlor walls, she communicates and, in a way, relates to them. As shown in this quote, “Will you turn the parlor off?” he asked “That’s my family” said Mildred (Bradbury 48-49). The conversation shows how blind Mildred is because of technology and the ‘family’ she has. Her relationship between Montag is a lie to her. Not only that she believes books are absurd and a waste of time leading to ignorance of education.
According to the novel books were banned for the satisfaction of the people but, it scares them. When Montag reads the poem to Mrs. Bowles stud up in rage telling Montag poems bring misery as a result to Mrs. Phelps began to cry. As quoted by Ray Bradbury, Mrs. Bowles stood up and glared at Montag. “You see? I knew it, that’s what I wanted to prove! I knew it would happen! I’ve always said, poetry and tears, poetry and suicide and crying and awful feelings, poetry and sickness; all that mush! Now I’ve had it proved to me. You’re nasty, Mr. Montag, you’re nasty!” (Bradbury 97) When looking at the quote you can see that Mrs. Bowles is simply struck by fear of what knowledge can simply do to one’s self. While knowledge is important so is the government.