Materialism In Fahrenheit 451

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In the novel Fahrenheit 451, the majority of society only cares about appearances and values things over people, but others who focus on alternative things are much more humane. People let physical things get in the way of their relationships and don’t display feelings towards them. Appearances are key in society, most people don’t look beyond them in fear of what it might do to their reputation. The people who distance themselves and focus on other interests such as nature are far more humane and can display actual human traits. The author’s message about materialism is to not let physical things become more important than people and real life relationships, there are so many more important things to focus on such as their loved ones …show more content…
Mildred came in, humming. She was surprised. “Why'd you do that?” He looked with dismay at the floor. “We burned an old woman with her books.” “It's a good thing the rugs washable.” She fetched a mop and worked on it.” (Bradbury 47). Montag is clearly extremely unsettled about what he had to do to the woman that they had to burn to the point that he vomits. After Montag gets sick Mildred immediately goes to her rug instead of asking him if he’s okay or getting the least bit worried. (SIP-B) Instead of nurturing real life relationships, people in society like Mildred are nurturing the relationship they have with their ‘families’. One of the only reasons Mildred refuses to read is because she’s scared her ‘family’ will be destroyed, “Now,” said Mildred, “my ‘family’ is people. They tell me things; I laugh, they laugh! And the colors’, “yes, I know.” “And besides, if captain Beatty knew about those books--” she thought about it. Her face grew amazed and then horrified. “He might come and burn the house and the ‘family. That's awful! Think of our investment. Why should I read? What for?” (Bradbury 69). Mildred didn’t care that Montag was very passionate …show more content…
People’s things are appreciated more than the people they live with, real life things are never important to them. Society doesn’t focus on anyone's personality or what's on the inside they only care about how they look. The people who have different interests are far more communicative and humane than those who do not. Ray Bradbury may have wrote fiction but it did become a reality. How important are material things to
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