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Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Bowles are friends of Mildred’s, and they are just as consumed by the conveniences and mindless entertainment of their world as she is. They arrive at the Montags’ house to watch a soap opera episode with Mildred and, throughout their time there, insist on discussing every topic in a detached and carefree manner. Although these attitudes alarm Montag, Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Bowles represent average women in their society. Their shared lack of emotional depth implies that, regardless of individual circumstance, the psychological toll of this instant gratification culture is virtually inescapable. Mrs. Phelps, for example, explains to Montag that she does not worry about her husband dying in the war as she can simply marry again. Alternatively, Mrs. Bowles reflects on having children and cites the fact that “they sometimes look just like you” as a key benefit. Despite their different opinions and experiences with family, they both treat the people around them like objects whose sole purpose is to fulfill their selfish needs.
This superficiality eventually becomes so upsetting to Montag that he forces the women to listen to an excerpt of the poem “Dover Beach” by Matthew Arnold, a work whose bleak tone parallels the dystopian world of the novel. Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Bowles’s unique reactions to this moment highlight two additional characteristics which seem to define the population as a whole. Mrs. Phelps initially reacts to the poem by breaking down in tears, and this response suggests that she is still capable of feeling the negative emotions which she has spent her entire life attempting to suppress. As her friend cries, Mrs. Bowles criticizes Montag and emphasizes the inappropriateness of literature. This commitment to the law is what ultimately drives them to report Montag to the firemen. By including this scene in the novel, Bradbury is able to paint a fuller picture of the average citizen and show how their culture has shaped their worldview.
