Comparative Study - Fahrenheit 451 and the Matrix

Dystopian literature highlights social flaws perceived by the composer and questions the basis for contemporary social practices. Such a notion is apparent in the cautionary novel, Fahrenheit 451 (1953), composed by Ray Bradbury, as it reflects upon the post-WW2 anxieties and provides social commentary about the futuristic dominance of technology, which was gaining popularity in the early 1950s. In the same degree, The Matrix (1999), directed by the Wachowskis, engages with similar concerns in an alternative manner, through the presentation of a dystopian universe, which was inspired by the growth of the internet and artificial intelligence around the late 20th century. Ergo, both texts explore the dangers of technological advancements and illustrate the negative consequences of this trend, though their reflections vary due to their contextual framework.

Fahrenheit 451 is a didactic text, which addresses the prevalence of consumerism and reductionism, focusing on how creativity and human individuality are crushed by privileging technology. Faber’s sarcastic reflection “Christ is one of the “family” … making veiled reference to certain commercial products,” reveals how television media has the ability to manipulate its audience into submission. Moreover, this articulates the secularisation of society, as religion is eclipsed by consumer goals through using Jesus for advertising. Furthermore, through his novel, Bradbury warns the reader against privileging technology over fostering genuine human relationships in, “How long before we save up and get the Fourth wall TV…” Mildred’s ignorant tone portrays the fractured relationship between her and Montag and it becomes apparent that she spurns real connection for the fictional characters in her shows reflecting her dehumanisation. Hence, Bradbury was far more concerned with the dulling effects of TV on people, as the novel reveals that technology is capable of the erosion of family relationships through the influence of the parlour walls.

Similarly, the film The Matrix exemplifies the jeopardies of technological advancements in the context of the development of the internet in the 1990s. The significance of technology during the decade, is apparent in Choi’s comment to Neo, “You’re my...personal Jesus Christ.” This parallels the characterisation of Jesus in the parlour walls of Fahrenheit 451 and therefore depicts the displacement of religion in the 90s. Withal, the symbolism evident in the closeup on Neo’s book concealing computer files establishes society’s influence in disseminating information via the internet. Moreover, the book used is Jean Baudrillard’s philosophical treatise Simulacra and Simulation, which discusses how reality has been replaced by signs and symbols. This alludes to the internet’s influence in the distortion of reality in the 1990s, as virtual reality replaced the real world. Furthermore, the saturation of digital communication in the 90s is implied through the bird’s eye view shot of Neo surrounded by numerous modes of computer technology. This corresponds to how Mildred was encircled by the parlour walls in Fahrenheit 451 and communicates that the fear of technological domination was maintained; however, the focus shifted from television to the internet. The Matrix captures how such advancements were problematic, as the human obsession with technology resulted in dehumanisation, just as the preoccupation with television, in the novel, stripped humans of thought and feeling - indicating shared values between the contexts.