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Summary Of Ray Bradbury's 'The Hearth And The Salamander'

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The Hearth and the Salamander
“We shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out” said Latimer as he is burning to his death. Latimer was charged with heresy, meaning his opinion to the christian orthodox instead of the queen. He opposed the queen and was punished, but he was willing to die with his opinion rather than submit to the queen. Latimer died on October 16th, 1555. This connects to part one “The hearth and the Salamander” in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In “Hearth and the Salamander” it introduces Montag the main character and Clarisse a seventeen year old girl that will make a huge impact on Montag and his job. Montag's job is to burn books with fire which he thought at first he enjoyed, but Clarisse brings out the reality and truth to what Montag is doing. Although burning books creates order, Bradbury uses symbolism in part one “The Hearth and the Salamander” to symbolize Clarisse as the hearth a bright fire and Montag as the Salamander being brought from the ashes to portray how Clarisse brought out the truth to Montag.
Throughout part one Bradburry symbolizes Clarisse as the hearth. The Hearth is supposed to make you feel warm and at home, but it originally means a fire is burning bright inside a fireplace. When Montag describes Clarisse, he states “It was a look, almost, of pale surprise; the dark eyes were so fixed to the world that no move escaped them. Her dress was white and it whispered….. The white

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