Symbolism In Fahrenheit 451

Throughout English literature there are a number of authors who use symbolism to get a point across to the reader. Symbolism is a chance for the author to show the reader instead of tell. The futuristic book Fahrenheit 451 is a novel based around symbolism and ulterior meanings. Water and fire are symbols commonly used in all types of literature. These elements are especially apparent in mythology. Also, within the novel the parlor walls proved themselves to be more than what was initially apparent. These symbols give this book a very specific tone and mood.

Symbolism is a major literary device that helps people see a book through symbols that often have a deeper meaning. A symbol is used to explain something in a different way, using images, objects, etc. instead of just saying it in words. As you search for a deeper meaning in a work of art or literature it can help you understand the author’s intentions and the deeper significance of a work. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, symbols help reinforce the major themes of the book.

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.

In the the novel Fahrenheit 451, multiple different abstract and concrete ideas are represented. Those ideas include the use of the outsiders to represent the old society, the use of the mechanical hound to represent the resistance to change, and the usage of the atomic bomb to symbolize a new reality. However, this specific examples of representation within the novel are highlighted due to the fact that they together compose an allegory.

In a futuristic society where the vast majority of people lack emotion and knowledge, quality of life seems to be on a rapid decline. In this society where book owners are burned and thinking for yourself is an anomaly, people are becoming more like robots than humans. Although, one character by the name of Montag who once thought himself happy finds himself having multiple revelations about the world he’s living in. After meeting a girl named Clarisse, he begins to question everyone around him including his own wife. Ray Bradbury uses a plethora of different symbols in his novel, Fahrenheit 451, to help readers understand the relevance of its many themes. As he is exposed to the truth of things in his society, Montag changes his

Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury is a futuristic novel, taking the reader to a time where books and thinking are outlawed. In a time so dreadful where those who want to better themselves by thinking, and by reading are outlaws as well. Books and ideas are burned, books are burned physically, whereas ideas are burned from the mind. Bradbury uses literary devices, such as symbolism, but it is the idea he wants to convey that makes this novel so devastating. Bradbury warns us of what may happen if we stop expressing our ideas, and we let people take away our books, and thoughts. Bradbury notices what has been going on in the world, with regards to censorship, and McCarthyism in America. That is

When I read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, I felt very depressed and angry over the idea of burning books. In Fahrenheit 451 society it is against the law to read or own books. If you do, you could go to jail or be killed. And burning down houses, if there are books in them, is also acceptable. But in real life burning houses and books is not good. Fahrenheit 451 society and our world are very different because they have different laws and rules. Another example of how Fahrenheit 451 and our society are different is that in the book it was not against the law to run over someone, but in our society it is against the law.

A very fitting title, based on the fact that paper ignites at 451 degrees Fahrenheit. In both Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, and in Anthem by Ayn Rand, the main protagonists are both challenged by society in their own way. One by reading a book and the other by thinking independently compared to thinking collectively. In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury uses cultural and physical surroundings to convey the idea that governmental control of knowledge by removing books will cause the society to collapse due to rebellion and controlled thinking as seen through the eyes of the protagonist, Guy Montag.

In the novel Fahrenheit 451, censorship is very important, and even valued above freedom of expression. “‘Do you ever read any of the books you burn?’ He laughed. ‘That’s against the law.’” (pg. 8) This quote indicates that in this world, reading is not only frowned upon, but illegal. Instead of only books with “harmful” ideas or themes being banned, owning any book is illegal. This makes it easier to censor content, even if it limits people’s abilities to learn things that could be potentially useful to

Ray Bradbury Fahrenheit 451 uses symbolism what are important symbols in the work and how are they significant? The symbols are significant in Fahrenheit 451 because there were a lot of symbols in the book that was important they were important because they helped montag do his job.In Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury uses the symbols of a phoenix,a salamander, and the number 451 because they are all related to fire in some way.

Tone- The tone in “Fahrenheit 451” is very dramatic and futuristic. Some of the characters and events are more extreme instead of being more realistic. For example that knowledge is a bad thing and that all books must be burned. The tone is also very futuristic because it takes place in a time period where everything revolves around technology; people stay at home all day watch weird television shows. "Those who don't build must burn"

Authors use literary as devices such irony, foreshadowing,or flashbacks to help develop the theme of a story. Novels such as Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, use these literary devices to elaborate on and support one common theme. Even short stories such as “A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury use literary devices to make their stories and plots more interesting and to develop their themes. Literary devices are an important part of writing and an essential part of any plot, story, or theme.

Symbols are a vital part of all good literature, true reading is critical reading. Throughout Fahrenheit 451, there a multiple symbols, themes, motifs, and groups of significant meanings or messages. One indubitably stood out to me, that one being Censorship. I picked this one in the interest of current events. There are debates that the government is censoring too much on the internet and not letting the people of our nation have the right to free speech as it says in the constitution.

All through both storylines there are similarities and differences including; the use of technology, andrefrences to other stories. Both of these dystopian worlds use technology in very similar ways. They brainwash those, who are clueless enough to let them, into believing whatever the government says. In Fahrenheit 451 they use wall TV’s and