How is the Mechanical Hound a reflection of society in Fahrenheit 451 - Essay Example

How is the Mechanical Hound a reflection of society in Fahrenheit 451? In Fahrenheit 451, the character Mechanical Hound, just like the name dictates, is an advanced form of technology which the government of the given country used to watch over its citizens. Quite a lot of controversies have always been there in regard to the role played by the Mechanical Hound in the society depicted in Fahrenheit (Bradbury 67). Mechanical Hound is hence used as a government watch dog and a suppressive tool for those against the government.

The government in Fahrenheit 451 by building an advanced form of technology, had intentions of surveilling on its people. Instead of employing humans to do the job of surveillance on its citizens, the government opted to use a machine that did the same role, but in a more thorough manner as it was emotionless. Basically, the machine was a government watch dog. “Its like a lesson in ballistics. It has a trajectory we decide for it. It follows through. It targets itself, homes itself, and cuts off.

Its only copper wire, storage batteries, and electricity" (Bradbury 23). In addition, the Mechanical hound was basically an oppressive tool in the society depicted in Fahrenheit 451. The machine was used by the government to punish those who attempted to go against it. Mechanical hound had orders to kill any individuals that tried to stand against the laws set by the existing government. It was also more of the depiction of the oppressive state of the given government to the society, “Come off it.

It doesnt like or dislike. It just functions” (Bradbury 23). All in all, Mechanical hound is a symbolic representation of government watchdog in the given society in Fahrenheit 451. In addition, it represents a government tool for oppressing the citizens and people who are against the government by killing them (Bradbury 76). Mechanical hound hence is an artificial intelligence machine that carries out government duties. Works Cited Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451: A Novel. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2012.