Socially, Fahrenheit 451 exposes the
relational voids that a world filled with technology will produce. Mildred is a perfect
example of this. She needs her sea shells in her ears and she needs the parlor walls to
be her family. What she fails to realize is that she has a husband in front of her
longing for engagement. However, their distance is so routine that he doesn't even know
how to initiate relationship with her. Clarisse is an example that demonstrates the
value of human relationships, but her character is treated as odd and distracted in this
society. She longs to have relationships and talks with people. Having her character
mysteriously disappear further demonstrates Bradbury's attitude that relationships were
becoming increasingly unimportant in a society longing to become more dependent on
technology.
Morally, thought is restricted and discouraged
in the society presented in Fahrenheit 451. This book is often
touted for the censorship issues uncovered, but beyond that is the right to think. It is
inherently wrong to not allow someone to think. We see this at work as the firemen burn
every book they discover. Books offer perspective. Thoughts other than what the
establishment had to offer were not allowed in this society. Those, like Mildred, who
chose to be uninformed were completely accepting of
this.
Fahrenheit 451 is an important
and relevant text to consider today because of the moral and social problems
presented.
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