Fahrenheit 451: Symbolism
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 are burned physically, and 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. That is what he is speaking out against. Bradbury incorporates symbolism into his book. He expresses it through the symbols the hearth and the salamander, the phoenix, and the great fire. Bradbury's use of symbolism throughout the novel makes the book moving and powerful. The Hearth and the Salamander, the title of part one, is the first example of symbolism. The title suggests two things having to do with fire. The hearth is a source of warmth and goodness, showing the positive, non-destructive side of fire. Whereas a salamander, a small lizard-like amphibian, and also in mythology, is known to withstand fire without getting burnt by it. Perhaps the sala
mander is symbolic of Guy Montag, who is being described as a salamander because he works with fire, and endures it, but believes that he can escape the fire and survive. On the other hand, ironically, the other firemen believed that they were salamanders too because they thought they were immune to the all might flames, when in the end it were the flames that destroyed them. Fire is another great example of symbolism. Each of us has our own image of fire burning within us, and depending on who you are, it could be positive or negative. Fire has a dual image in the book, a symbol of destruction, and a symbol of warmth. For Montag, fire has been good to serve the purpose of being a fireman. Fire has become a symbol of good in Montag's mind, and a solution to all problems. Capt. Beatty has taught Guy that fire is the solution to everything. When in reality, fire destroyed books, it destroyed homes, it destroyed people, it destroyed Capt. Beatty, it destroyed Montag's house, and in the end, it destroyed the city from which Montag barely escaped. But fire has become an image of destruction in the eyes of Montag. "If you can't solve it... burn it!" Is the single statement that can be made about Guy's thoughts of fire, before his "rebirth." However, fire also symbolizes something else, warmth, goodness. It is not until the very end that Guy realizes that fire does not have to be destructive. I t can be good, and provide you with warmth, and security. He associates fire with good when he meets the rest of the escapees, in the secret camp, because they are all sitting
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1061
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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