Fahrenheit 451 Fire Analysis

Over hundreds of thousands of books were burned by the Nazis. The books

were burned because they were filled with knowledge and ideas that would spread to

people causing the Nazis to lose their perfect society. In the novel, the government

burned books because reading creates independent thinking and they wanted the

citizens to be ignored, so they could control them without fear of a rebellion. In

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury symbolism is used to evoke strong meaning

throughout the novel. Objects such as the phoenix, salamander, and fire are powerful

symbols that occur throughout the novel.

To begin with, Bradbury uses the phoenix as a symbol of rebirth of society .

Granger, looking at the flame burning said to Montag “every

The salamander devour his tail.”(Bradbury 86). “salamander devour

his tail” means that society will change by destroying the reputation of the firemen

reputation.The firemen will be fighting against themselves cause them to “devour” each

other. The salamander made a minor appearance in the story ,but it works together with

the most important symbol fire.

The last but most important symbol, fire, was used throughout the whole story to

symbolize passion At the beginning of the novel, Montag thinks “It was a pleasure to

burn.”(Bradbury 3). Montag’s profession gives him joy and pride in doing his job.

Fire is used to get eradicate book to make sure that society will not get the knowledge

and ideas books carry. It’s used purely out of the sake of “purifying” the “unneeded.”

Bradbury shows Montag's desire to learn by naming the chapter “Burning

bright”(Bradbury 111). “Burning bright” is used as a way of showing Montag’s thirst for

knowledge of the unknown. His knowledge of books and education is the fire, he was

willing to break away from society to read and learn more. Fire starts as a powerful,

destructive weapon ,but slowly turns into a warm, calm, passion to break away from