Technology Takeover In Fahrenheit 451, By Ray Bradbury

Katelyn De Sa

Shackelford/ Lammers/ McGlaughlin English Honors II (Summer)

29 August 2014

Technology Takeover

Wendell Berry once said, “as industrial technology advances and enlarges, and in the process assumes greater social, economic, and political force, it carries people away from where they belong in history, culture, deeds, association, and affection.” The meaning and truth of this quote is accurately depicted in Ray Bradbury’s classic novel, Fahrenheit 451, as well as in George Orwell’s novel, 1984. Fahrenheit 451 tells a story of a man who struggles to live happily as an outcast in his society of brainwashed, technology fanatics and strict restrictions from living a traditional lifestyle. Similarly, 1984 is a story of a man living

In it, he teaches his readers that technology gives those who have authority over the common person the ability to do anything, and to create the belief that “democracy [is] impossible, and that the [government is] the guardian of [it]” (Orwell 32). In other words, it teaches that technology gives authority the ability to control our thoughts, to create their portrayal of perfection, and to empower themselves to a never ending limit. It is important that one stays in touch with his true character and beliefs, as if they let the advancing society take over, it will negatively affect them, and only give excess power to those that will abuse it. In addition to this, Orwell shows that if society continues to allow technology grow in power and frequency, the freedom that most have in current day will become “[...] the police patrol, snooping into people’s windows” (Orwell 6). This proves what the author believes the state of the world will be. It will be one with a complete lack of freedom and privacy, and therefore filled with unhappiness and emptiness. Technology, what caused the loss of our privileges, will be used against mankind. It is often abused by not only authority, but also by the common person, and it is critical that one stays in touch with history in order to create a balance of the future and the