Essential Loyalty

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Recommended: Fahrenheit 451 compared to our society

In the science fiction novel Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury introduces the universal theme of loyalty and continues to emphasize the pros and cons of what Relationships and pacts are simultaneously broken and developed throughout the novel; Montag experiences these interactions with static characters: Mildred, Faber, and Beatty. Mildred ultimately betrays Montag when she is afraid of his commitment in books; he attempts to openly spark a passion in their relationship. Faber, once afraid of fireman, befriends Montag because he feels it is the “right” thing to do; he follows Montag to the brink of danger, believing in what is correct. Beatty was considered “a [my] friend” and ultimately pursues to arrest Montag for defying the strictly enforced laws. Loyalty is defined by the breakable bond held by individuals; Montag experiences this natural humane connection as the novel progresses. Ray Bradbury expresses loyalty throughout the novel through the affiliations with Mildred, Faber, and Beatty.

Mildred admittedly turns in Montag’s books and betrays their relationship because of what will possibly happen if they were caught. She questions and denies all affiliations with her husband; she disbelieves her husband’s opinion on what books mean. On Montag’s statement

About how books are people, she responds, “Books aren’t people... You read and I look around… there isn’t anybody... My ‘family’ is people’” (73). She is clearly interested in her little mindless television shows than she is on her actual married husband. She doesn’t see what Montag sees, she literally “[l] looks around” as if she doesn’t realize the figurative language Montag is trying to display for her so she may also be embraced. Mildred doesn’t speak the figurative but...

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... depending on the characterization of each individual. Marriages often leave a happy mark while some marriages lead to divorces and hatred towards one another; alliances during war can betray one another or keep the peace within their territorial rule. This typical generic idea is can often be applied to the society that we currently live in; it is incredibly easy to compare and differentiate the society of 451 to the current modern era. There are some similar implications that both alternate paradoxical societies offer and lack that include firemen, “equality”, the modern-day technology, and other similar things. All in all, Ray Bradbury pursuits on spreading the central message of loyalty to the world with the use of the science fiction novel Fahrenheit 451.

Works Cited

Bradbury, Ray. “Fahrenheit 451.” New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks 2013.

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