Tolbert 1

Morgan Tolbert

Meyer

English I

3 January 2019

Into Mildred’s Mind

Mildred’s disconnection from reality may be more severe than it was first thought to be.

Mildred, a character from the book Fahrenheit 451, is the wife of Montag, a firefighter in a

dystopian future. She is a very distinct character, as she shows little to no sympathy for others,

and doesn’t know how to react to certain situations. Based on these actions, it has been thought

that she may have schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that is characterized by

repetitive hallucinations, delusions and sometimes detachment from reality. If a mental health

expert were to compare Mildred’s actions and words to the symptoms of schizophrenia, there is a

likely possibility that she would be diagnosed with it.

Looking at Mildred’s actions and the things she says, there is a lot to see and observe that

may show signs of schizophrenia. When Mildred denies the fact that she took any pills,“‘I didn’t

do that’ she said, ‘never in a billion years.’” (Bradbury, 9), it shows that she may be having a

delusion. A delusion that makes her believe that she never took the pills, or that there were no

pills in the first place. Delusions are fixed beliefs that are not based on reality. Delusions are one

of the number one symptoms of schizophrenia. Another example would be that she believes that

the people in the television are real “‘I just told you. There are these people named Bob and

Ruth and Helen’” (Bradbury 9) This shows signs of delusions as well as social isolation, because

she isolates herself using the television in order to get away from others. These, however, are just

a few of the symptoms she shows.

 Tolbert 2

When you delve a little deeper into Mildreds actions, habits and the way she acts around

others, there is a lot to be found about what goes on within the depths of her mind. Mildred is

very much consumed with technology. She uses it a lot in her everyday life, “When they stepped

out of the car, she had the seashells stuffed in her ears.” (Bradbury 22) Mildred, according to this

quote, brings her technology everywhere with her. Bradbury uses the term “seashells” to

describe a gadget similar to an earbud. It shows that she isolates herself from reality using these

“seashells”. They may be a sort of coping mechanism as well, to escape from her schizophrenia

and the harshness that is life, and everything that comes with it. When coping mechanisms are

taken away from people, they may get agitated. Agitation is also a symptom of schizophrenia,

which Mildred shows regularly. “She was surprised.’Why did you do that?’” (Bradbury 24) This

is right after Montag had vomited across the floor. Mildred did not care to show any sympathy

towards him whatsoever. This does have something to do with agitation, but also shows lack of

emotional expression. All of this evidence leads to the conclusion that Mildred may possibly

have schizophrenia.

Despite the fact the evidence that has been collected shows that Mildred has

schizophrenia, quite a few people believe that it is the government controlling her thoughts and

actions. Those that believe the government is controlling Mildred, also believe that Mildred does

not suffer from any mental illness. Although this argument may sound correct and appealing, it is

ultimately overshadowed by the symptoms Mildred shows. The government in their society

definitely has a tight hold on their citizens through technology. They may control some aspects

of their thoughts and actions. That being said, what if the government's control caused the mental

illness to begin in the first place? They could have, essentially brainwashed her into becoming

schizophrenic. External factors such as that could definitely affect someone's mental health.
 Tolbert 3

Mildred isn't the only person within their society that has tried to commit suicide such as she

had. Suicide is a sort of epidemic within their society. That would make sense if the government

had a very tight rein over them as they did with Mildred. The message that is trying to get across

is that the government is controlling the people within their society so much to the point that the

people are developing mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, which leads them to trying to

commit suicide.

Looking at all of this evidence, it is quite possible that Mildred does in fact have

schizophrenia. Schizophrenia, if not treated can cause tremendous mental damage and instability.

The fact that Mildred could possibly have schizophrenia should not be taken lightly, as it is a

very serious mental illness. The symptoms of schizophrenia shown by Mildred explains quite a

bit, such as how she acts and speaks. Mildred is, in a sense, being puppeteered by the invisible

hand of schizophrenia.

Works Cited

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451.

www.humbleisd.net/cms/lib2/TX01001414/Centricity/Domain/6853/Fahrenheit%20451%20-

%20Ray%20Bradbury%20-%201.pdf.
 Tolbert 4

Grohol, John M. “Schizophrenia Symptoms & Treatment.” Psych Central, 29 Oct. 2018,

psychcentral.com/disorders/schizophrenia/.

Gordon, Joshua A. “Schizophrenia.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services, 2017, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml.