Fahrenheit 451-Symbolism Essay

Fire and flames have been used as symbols by many authors. Fire is representative of Montage. He was a fireman who made fires rather than put them out. He was around them all the time, whether it was around a campfire or burning down a house. Montag and fire were

Montag's house was on fire. He ended up burning all to forget about his past for example his wife whom he never loved and never knew her. “Fire was the best for everything” Montag felt this because Fire was the only way out of everything, his feeling and thoughts. In this this Montag showed that he is “unhappy” with his life because of everything such as Clarisse’s death. Clarisse is a young lady who loves adventures and have new experiences she died on a car crash. She showed Montag the way of life and why it’s important to live every second of

Another incident that stayed in Montag 's mind is the old women who set her self and her books on fire. However, Montag tried stopping her by telling her that the books were not worth her life. Before she burned herself, Montag took one of her books and kept it. At that time Montag did not think about what did the old lady burned herself with the books, he did not think about it might be the value and morals that books hold to teach is. The old lady knew the importance of these books and what do they have, so she preferred to burn herself with them, and not watch the firemen burn them, who do not even know the importance of books. But they do know that books are unreal and there is so importance of them, plus they are against the law!

Symbols in novels act as translators. When an author conveys a message in a novel, he or she will use symbols to translate that message into an easily understandable idea. The readers can take that translation to understand the deeper message in a simple object or action. Ray Bradbury creatively integrates different symbols in Fahrenheit 451 to demonstrate a deeper message. The first important symbol that Bradbury depicts is a centrifuge, which he repeatedly mentions throughout the novel. Additionally, birds are compared to books and knowledge often. Likewise, mirrors are important to the message Ray Bradbury is sending to readers. All of these symbols translate the deeper meanings of Fahrenheit 451 to the readers in order to portray the fast-paced

Firstly, Montag faces the conflict of having to burn down a house with a woman in it, which led him to thinking that something important may be hidden within the books that could be different from what he has learning in this new version of society; Montag becomes more curious through this event and starts to wonder. Eventually, the protagonist is so deeply engrossed in his curiosity that “his hand closed like a mouth, crushed the book with wild devotion, with an insanity of mindlessness to his chest” (Bradbury 34). This quote illustrates

Throughout the book characters show the theme of distractions. Captain Beatty is the Captain of the fire department, he knows how to read but hates doing it, and everyone who wants to learn. Montag burns Beatty because he finds out that Beatty made montag burn his own house because he had books and because he thinks that books are

Imagine a society where books are banned, technology has taken over and is on the verge of a world war. This is what you encounter when reading the totalitarian novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury from the perspective of the protagonist Guy Montag, a fireman with the task of burning every still existing book there is. Throughout the course of the novel, he begins questioning his current life-situation and evolves from a workaholic to a rule-breaking rebel in a matter of days. Considering the occupation of the protagonist, fire coincidentally has a significant role in this story, however, the symbolism changes coherently with Montag himself. The meaning of fire and burning provides dimension and depth and thus making it a food for thought type

Ray Bradbury once stated, “I never consciously place symbolism in my writing. That would be a self-conscious exercise and self-consciousness is defeating to any creative act … During a lifetime, one saves up information which collects itself around centers in the mind; these automatically become symbols on a subliminal level and need only be summoned in the heat of writing.” (The Paris Review). Bradbury’s may not have consciously placed symbolism in Fahrenheit 451, but his use of symbolism throughout the story allows the reader to relate back to their most basic instincts, all while seeing a deeper meaning to what they are really looking at.

to my wife; she listens to the walls” (78). Montag is trying to think for himself. He’s wanting to

As deliberations whirl through his mind, Montag finally feels a sickness and discomfort. “How rarely did other people’s faces take of you and throw back to you your own expression, your innermost trembling thought?” (8). This illustrates that Clarisse brought a rumination out of Montag. Montag no longer is at ease with his line of work. This event represents the call to adventure for Montag as Clarisse made him ponder for the first time in a long time. The scene following portrays the crossing of the threshold into a new world for Montag.

After leaving the calming flow of the river, Montag pinpoints a glow, coming from fire in the distance. When he strolls closer to the light, he observes that the fire is unlike the one he’s used to burn. Montag discovers a new side of the once demeaning fire, “He had never thought in his life that [fire] could give as well as take ” (139). Until now, he has only seen a fierce, destructive side of fire, but now he sees a comforting fire, giving warmth to hands. As fire can have another purpose, this could symbolize Montag finding different purpose in his life. He soon meets the owners of the hands surrounding the fire, and they kindly welcome him to their group, consisting of runaways just like him. Granger says to Montag, “‘You are the Book of Ecclesiastes! See how important you’ve become in the last minute!’” (144). Montag has found a new purpose in his life, to share his knowledge of the Book of Ecclesiastes with other people. This depicts Montag’s mastery of both worlds, as he can distinguish between a destructive and comforting fire, a fire of his known world and the unknown world, and he uses his new intelligence and shares it with other people. Montag has recreated himself, like the Phoenix, by ridding himself of his old life and with the birth of his new

Bradbury integrates many symbols into his novel. Fire is the most important symbol in the book. One of the meanings that is revealed is when, "Clarisse reminds Montag of

Fahrenheit 451 was written as a warning as to what could be in store for society if humans were to be deprived from intellectualism and awareness. It was written shortly after the closing of World War II, a period of time when many people were oblivious to the censorship being implemented into their lives, but is still relevant in our modern society. The forewarning of the novel is applicable even to this day in modern America.

Bradbury’s use of symbolism is apparent in the first chapter, when the protagonist, Guy Montag, meets Clarisse McClellan, whose face is “like a mirror” (8). This first impression not only functions as a descriptor for Clarisse’s character, but also introduces the mirror as a symbol and indicates on the fundamental problem with Montag’s society. The novel reflects several dystopian themes where the government declares everyone free and happy, as M. Camara in his article, “Contemporary Anglo-American Dystopian Fiction”, emphasizes that the “spiritual void prevailing in the society” (79) is caused by the fact that “people are spared the pain of reflecting on complex questions” (79). He suggests that totalitarian rule creates a hive of people who

“There must be something we can’t imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don’t stay for nothing.” (48) This is important because this is the moment when Montag realizes how people were sacrificing themselves for books.