Theme Of 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.

In the novel Fahrenheit 451 there many allusion that demonstrate the themes in book. One of these allusions being the Book of Job which is a story about the perseverance of the humane spirit, a major theme in Fahrenheit 451. A second allusion is Confucius who shows the importance of literature and what is valued in life. A final allusion is Mahatma Gandhi who fought through censorship and oppression to change the ways of society. Montag throughout the book stays true to his goal and these same attributes are seen in the Book of Job.

Bradbury uses literary devices to show how people struggle to find themselves within a society that is deprived of individuality. It wasn’t always missing, the more people came into their society the less room they had to be any different from each other. How could one expect a society-programmed Montag to even attempt to understand that there’s a possibility to be something else than what he was taught. “Once books appealed to a few people, here, there, everywhere. They could afford to be different. The world was roomy. But then the world got full of eyes and elbows and mouths.” (Bradbury 51) Throughout Fahrenheit 451 Montag is who he’s “supposed to be” but to himself he is not happy, he doesn’t realize he is feeling this way though. He wore his happiness like a mask, a mask that covered his face and didn’t really show what was going on underneath. A girl Clarisse removes the mask from his face and makes Montag realize there is something you could be other than the culture defined norm, “He wore his happiness like a mask and the girl had run off across the lawn with the mask and there was no way of going to knock on her door and ask for it back.” (Bradbury 9) Clarisse took it forever and Montag could never be the same again. The use of metaphors here gives a good understanding as to how Montag first is hit by the realization things won’t ever be the same for him, his “happiness” is now Clarisse’s and there is no way to ever wear it the same again. In order for this society

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.

Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, is set in a dystopian society. The government’s main belief is happiness is the result of everyone being equal. The government believes that certain books should be forbidden because those books bring false, individual ideas, which make people unhappy. Guy Montag is just like every other fireman: he does not read the books, just burns them. Then one day, he meets Clarisse, a young girl, that challenges his viewpoint of life. After several conversations with her, he begins to question the government’s ideals. He starts stealing and reading the forbidden books, and he begins to understand the purpose of those books. Montag then meets up with an old friend, and they make plans to start a revolution by

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 the book Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury, the author, uses many motifs. Some of the main ones are, Fire, Mirrors, and being both alive and dead. Fire is used to burn books, but Montag- the dynamic anti-hero, who is also the main character- also finds that it can be used for construction. Mirrors play the role of, in a way, of helping you find yourself, or understand yourself. In this novel being both alive and dead means that you are alive but you are emotionless and don’t feel anything towards anyone or anything.

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.

Montag is a fireman rebel. He does not conform with society in Fahrenheit 451. The media/government has brain washed the people into believing that books are bad. Clarisse McClellan confirmed that Guy Montag was different because she noticed that he was aware, and

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

Some think that Independence is not needed and all we do need is someone else doing the dirty work, the paperwork, and the essay writing. However this would be false due to the fact that as soon as that person, robot, or otherwise was gone that individual would not know how to do something. This was highlighted by Ray Bradbury in his stories, for instance Fahrenheit 451, Harrison Bergeron, and The Veldt. In which is illustrated the story of a firefighter whose job is to engulf house's contents in burning flame not save them, a world in which everyone is equal, however everyone burden, and a house that will do just about everything for you but contains a murderous death trap. All of these contain several themes from murder to technology, however one overlooked would be independence, more so the lack thereof.

“There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches” (Wikiquote, “Ray Bradbury”). Author Ray Bradbury made this observation in 1979 and his thought has only become more true as time has gone on. Bradbury warns of the possibility of this happening in his novel, Fahrenheit 451. The message of Fahrenheit 451 is more important than ever because today’s book editors, movie critics, and plays have intentionally and unintentionally removed Bradbury’s original intent of the novel. This hasn’t only happened to Fahrenheit 451, but many other books have been dumbed down to meet the standards of today’s unsophisticated readers.

The novel Fahrenheit 451 uses symbolism, and it's setting to draw a picture of a futuristic dictatorship. Many could probably argue this statement. It could be viewed in many different ways. However, I will further develop this statement in order to substantiate my view on this novel. Within this research paper, I will describe many different types of symbolism that will prove that in this futuristic setting the American government has changed into a totalitarian government.