Oh, Mildred

Oh, Mildred. You're so annoying.

So mini section four introduces us to Montag's lovely (insert sarcasm here) wife, Mildred. She doesn't talk at all in this section (we don't even get to see her awake), but the consequences of her actions that happened unseen to the reader and Guy's own thoughts on her can shed some light as to what she is like, even without any immediate dialogue or events.

First off, Montag mentions that she is constantly listening to these ear bud-like radios called Seashells. This leads me to believe that she doesn't really love or care about her husband because she would rather listen to the radio than him. Another supporting factor for this point is the fact that they have two separate beds, rather than one big bed. The feelings could also be the same for Guy because when he imagines what the bedroom looks like upon walking into the darkness, he describes his wife as "...stretched out on the bed, uncovered and cold, like a body displayed on the lid of a tomb..." This also insinuates that she is cold and uncovered in her unloving feelings towards him.

Another thing that tells us more about Mildred is what she has done by the time Montag gets home. Guy is horrified to discover that she had taken an entire bottle of pills, thirty in all. Obviously, Mildred isn't happy with her life. It also shows that she is selfish for wanting to take her own life, and foolish for thinking death would solve her problems.

I really, really don't like Mildred. She's my least favorite character in this book, the polar opposite of Clarisse. She's so stupid and brainwashed that it makes me want to claw my eyes out, and then there's the fact that most of the people of this society are just life her. That alone would make me want to live on Mars, despite the lack of breathable air and atmosphere. Mildread is just really, really annoying. Enough said.