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.

It is only once in a while a book comes along so great in its message, so frightening in its inferred meaning’s of fire as in Fahrenheit 451. Fire which is used as a symbol of chaos, destruction, and death can also lead to knowledge. Fire has 3 different meanings. Fire represents change which is shown through Montag’s symbolic change from using fire to burn knowledge into using fire to help him find knowledge; fire can represent knowledge as demonstrated through Faber, and fire can represent rebirth of knowledge as shown through the phoenix.

The Hearth and The Salamander, the title of the first chapter, is another symbol. The hearth which provides warmth and comfort and the salamander which is believed to live in fire and not get burned contradict each other. One symbol shows the bad side of fire and the other shows the good side. The salamander was also a symbol on his firefighter’s badge: “He stood in the hall of his house putting on his badge with the orange salamander burning across it.” (19) It was also on the fire trucks he used to make the fires, “They sat there looking out the front of the great Salamander as they turned a corner and went silently on.” (40) Both of these sentences show that the fireman are proud of what the salamander represents, whether it means the same thing or something different, it was important to them.

What fire represents in Fahrenheit 451 is, as established, strongly connected with the development of the main character. From it having the sole purpose of sabotaging not only objects but thoughts as well, to it being the reason why society will once again have the ability to live long and prosper. Ultimately, fire stands for newly found hope and an opportunity for improvement, even if it means destruction in the

Fire is one of man’s oldest tools, and Bradbury’s use of it as a symbol can be viewed in many different ways. Another use of symbolism is his use of the Salamander and Phoenix to resemble their iconic fire trucks, and the emblems on their uniforms. Bradbury starts off using the symbolism of fire, the Phoenix and the Salamander to demonstrate power and destruction, however; throughout the story the original meaning of these symbols begins to transform much like the protagonist Guy Montag, and eventually other symbols like the sieve and the river shed light on the transformation of Montag. All of these symbols come together with the use of allegory to bring an understanding of the larger issues faced by their society, such as the overuse of technology and censorship.

1. What does the author indicate about the importance of the number 451 and the fireman’s job? The importance of the number 451 is the temperature at which paper burns. The fireman’s job is to burn all books.

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.

Bradbury uses sensory details, such as associating imagery with characters and events to make the book a symbolic dystopia to reveal the meaning behind these images. First, Bradbury provides images involving fire and burning as well as images of light and running water throughout the book to describe Montag.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury shows a lot of things burning bright (literally) like the old woman her words that were like a thumbprint in his head. In part three, Montag burn Beatty after he burn  his house Montag, not affected emotionally  from him burning his house, but he was in denial and keep thinking. Montag thought Beatty wanted to die which that moved the plot significantly to his journey to Faber's and then across the river. Burning bright across the river Grangers fire that had a lot of meaning to Montag. The fire moved the plot towards the ending of the book.

In literature, fire can be viewed as desire, greed, and arrogance. It can also be viewed as passion, warmth, and strength. In Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451, the civilians in the society desire more technology and forms of pleasure to erase the pain like tv shows such as The Family, and as the firemen burn the books to erase history they’re filled with greed to destroy and burn. Later in the novel, Bradbury also uses fire to symbolize acceptance and embracefulness as he meets a group of men like him and he also associates fire with Montag’s rebirth. In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury uses two versions of the motif of fire to associate fire with nature and positivity versus technology, and negativity with destruction.

But one is “Fire” and “451”. These are very symbolic because in “Fahrenheit 451” it symbolizes two things through the firemen, firemen burn books and wear the number "451" on all of their helmets. And for many years fire has symbolized destruction. But “451” is very symbolic because the books and papers burn at 451 degrees. “It was a pleasure to burn.” (Bradbury).

The story of Fahrenheit 451 is loaded with symbolism such as fire, the phoenix, and the destruction of books. One of the most important and obvious symbols in the book is the phoenix. It is mentioned on page seventy six after the war hapens. Granger talks about the phoenix and how it was reborn after death and how society will rise again from its ashes with the help of Montag and the others. Other less obvious symbols such as fire, the destruction of books, and blood. These allow for the reader to interpret their meaning for themselves. For example, I interpret the symbol of blood as what makes someone them. This is because on pages six and seven of he book, Mildred Montag has to have her stomach pumped out and her blood replaced with someone else's blood.

Fire, the tool of destruction that censors expertise and ideas. The fireplace is wherein the hearth is built and burns most powerful. In comparison, the salamander is a lizard said to live to tell the tale in flames, and therefore alludes to fireplace's inability to weigh down free concept. Montag, personifies the salamander, surrounded in flames, but preventing against censorship. Fireplace represents purification as it is used to rid society of that that's unwanted. Books and the places wherein they're hidden are removed via hearth, burned out of existence in order no longer to infect

The name of the novel, Fahrenheit 451, is a symbol in itself. Bradbury, when interviewed, revealed that he chose the title because 451o F is the temperature at which paper, specifically the paper of books, catches fire and burns. This not only explains the significance of the number, but it also supports the idea of fire and heat playing an important symbolic role in the story.

The phoenix is seen on Beatty's helmet and it symbolizes rebirth through fire. Blood appears throughout the novel and symbolizes a human being’s repressed soul as well as their primal, instinctive self. Montag feels his most rebellious thoughts building and circulating in his blood. The hearth and salamander appear as the title of the first part. The hearth is a symbol of home and the salamander is the official symbol of firemen. Both things have to do with fire. Lastly books, throughout the story, seem to symbolize creativity and free expression; which to this world is seen as chaotic.