Fahrenheit 451 Blog 7

Ray Bradbury uses the literary element of symbolism to make Fahrenheit 451 an interesting and effective novel.  There were multiple symbols that he used throughout the novel, but fire was the most important and abundant.  This is a fitting symbol to have in this book, since the title itself contains a hint to heat.  The temperature of four hundred and fifty one is supposed to be the temperature at which books burn.  Fire is used as a symbol for both warming and destroying.  At different points in the book, fire symbolizes different things.  When the firemen burn books and houses, they are using it to destroy.  Montag discovered that it had a use that was good in the fact that it could provide heat.  Fire also symbolized strength under opposition.  "Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out." (Bradbury 33).  These different symbols for fire show its important characteristic; it can both destroy and provide.  “It was not burning, it was warming.  He saw many hands held to its warmth, hands without arms, hidden in darkness.  Above the hands, motionless faces that were only moved and tossed and flickered with firelight.  He hadn’t known that fire could look this way.  He had never thought in his life that it could give as well as take.  Even its smell was different.” (Bradbury 139).  This realization brought forth a change in perspective for Montag.  Another symbol seen in Fahrenheit 451 is Guy Montag getting changed in the river.  This symbolized his old identity of firefighter and husband being washed away.  When he dons Faber’s clothes, he becomes a new person that no longer holds the pain and ignorance of the old Montag.  This change is very important because it opens up Guy’s future to the possibility of a meaningful life.  These two types of symbols are what made Fahrenheit 451 an interesting and effective novel. 

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967. Print.