Symbolism Of Fire In Fahrenheit 451

“It was a pleasure to burn,” especially for Guy Montag, the fireman in Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451. Fire is a recurring symbol of the book, usually showing up with Montag when there is trouble or change. By examining to the novel and its deeper meaning, the reader is shown how Bradbury provides two different meanings of fire, and can learn how truly significant fire is. Bradbury uses the symbol of fire to represent both powerful destruction and beautiful creation. From poetic phrases to simple statements, fire is shown in two different lights, both of which show the true character of the element. After all, there can be no destruction without creation, and no life without death.
The first meaning of fire is clear to see since it is the characteristic

The fire that Montag once loved and cherished destroyed an innocent life, which in turn destroyed that love he had. This is the first statement that shows the eventual but powerful change Montag experiences. The next example of fire’s destructive power occurs only a few days after the woman burned, and can be considered the start of the novel’s climax. “A great nuzzling gout of fire leapt out to lap at the books and knock them against the wall…. The books leapt and danced like roasted birds, their wings ablaze with red and yellow feathers.” (110) It was this point in the book where Montag had to destroy his own home, the place he once considered a safe haven. The fire literally destroyed everything he had and metaphorically destroyed the last bit of hope Montag had for changing the world and the society he was living in. Montag had literally destroyed every last drop of hope with the fire, and for several hours was unforgiving of the destruction of fire. Finally, Bradbury illustrated the ultimate destruction of fire with a graphic and gruesome description. After burning the books and his home, Montag kills Beatty in a bout of sudden rage. “And then he was a shrieking blaze, a