Examples Of Allusions In Fahrenheit 451

When I first began reading Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, I thought that it would be the same story as other dystopian pieces of literature; however, after further analyzing the novel I found that Bradbury used many allusions from famous pieces of literature. These allusions show foreshadowing, irony, and the main character, Guy Montag’s thoughts about the totalitarian government in Fahrenheit 451. Throughout Fahrenheit 451 several allusions are made to pieces of literature or to historical figures. Bradbury uses these allusions to foreshadow events in the story. “‘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 65). This quote is said by a woman who is being burnt down with her house for keeping books. At first, I didn’t understand the significance of this quote, but after further research, I began to understand the quote. When she says this, the woman means that she is the “spark” that will ignite an enduring flame burning in caring individuals who want the extreme censorship of the totalitarian government to end. In essence, she is attempting to make the firemen feel guilty for burning her house down. Later on in the story, I found out that this attempt worked and leads Montag

“Established, 1790, to burn English-influenced books in the Colonies. First Fireman: Benjamin Franklin” (Bradbury 64). When I first noticed this allusion I wondered why Bradbury chose Benjamin Franklin to be the first firefighter, but after researching this, I found that Benjamin Franklin founded the Union Fire Company, the fire department in Philadelphia. After knowing that, it was clear that Bradbury chose Benjamin Franklin to be the first fireman because he founded the first fire department in Philadelphia; however, it is also ironic since the novel states that firemen burn books, and Benjamin Franklin was an author