Zbigniew Brzeziński once said, “Shortly the public will be unable to reason or think for themselves. They’ll only be able to parrot the information they’ve been given on the previous night’s news”. Mildred watched the parlor families everyday, for years, and eventually grew attached. Her opinions are now based on the knowledge given to her through the walls, which ultimately dampens her views on things such as the presidential election. The lives of the citizens in Fahrenheit 451 are unknowingly run by their government, while our lives are run by our decisions, emotions, and our free expression. One major difference between our society and Montag’s, is the use of media and the negative effect it has on its viewers. Mildred, like
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Before Montag’s secret is exposed Mildred has her friends over to watch the parlor families. Montag turns off the TVs and presses them with questions about the war and their husbands. In which Mrs. Phelps replies, “It’s our third marriage each and we’re independent. Be independent, we always said. He said, if I get killed off, you just go right ahead and don’t cry, but get married again, and don’t think of me,” (91). This shows quite a big contrast from our society because moving on too quickly can sometimes be seen as a bad thing, especially after a death. People start to question whether or not your feelings for the person were real. However, in Montag’s society, marriage isn’t a big commitment. The feelings aren’t genuine, but in a perfect world no one can be alone. Take Guy and Mildred’s relationship for example. Mildred was so quick to leave once Beatty caught Montag. She showed no sadness when leaving him behind. As for Montag, he admits to Granger and the group of outcasts, “It’s strange, I don’t miss her, it’s strange I don’t feel much of anything. Even if she dies, I realized a moment ago, I don’t think I’ll feel sad. It isn’t right. Something must be wrong with me”, (Pg 148). Montag wanted to feel something for Mildred because that’s how it should be but no matter what, he felt nothing. He cares equally for both Mildred and Clarisse, yet he’s known Mildred for years and Clarisse not even a year. He had real conversations with Clarisse which brought real emotion and it confused Montag because for the longest time he thought he had feelings for Mildred. In reality, people are in our lives because we want them there. We choose who we want in our lives based on their actions, not because we have a missing role needed to be filled. They’ve allowed their true emotions to be hidden and it’s gotten to the point where they feel something they
Before Montag’s secret is exposed Mildred has her friends over to watch the parlor families. Montag turns off the TVs and presses them with questions about the war and their husbands. In which Mrs. Phelps replies, “It’s our third marriage each and we’re independent. Be independent, we always said. He said, if I get killed off, you just go right ahead and don’t cry, but get married again, and don’t think of me,” (91). This shows quite a big contrast from our society because moving on too quickly can sometimes be seen as a bad thing, especially after a death. People start to question whether or not your feelings for the person were real. However, in Montag’s society, marriage isn’t a big commitment. The feelings aren’t genuine, but in a perfect world no one can be alone. Take Guy and Mildred’s relationship for example. Mildred was so quick to leave once Beatty caught Montag. She showed no sadness when leaving him behind. As for Montag, he admits to Granger and the group of outcasts, “It’s strange, I don’t miss her, it’s strange I don’t feel much of anything. Even if she dies, I realized a moment ago, I don’t think I’ll feel sad. It isn’t right. Something must be wrong with me”, (Pg 148). Montag wanted to feel something for Mildred because that’s how it should be but no matter what, he felt nothing. He cares equally for both Mildred and Clarisse, yet he’s known Mildred for years and Clarisse not even a year. He had real conversations with Clarisse which brought real emotion and it confused Montag because for the longest time he thought he had feelings for Mildred. In reality, people are in our lives because we want them there. We choose who we want in our lives based on their actions, not because we have a missing role needed to be filled. They’ve allowed their true emotions to be hidden and it’s gotten to the point where they feel something they