Fahrenheit 451 Water Symbolism Essay

In Fahrenheit 451, the river Montag comes across in his daydream, symbolizes rebirth, renewal, it represents a source of knowledge, eye opening truth, and freedom, contrasting with the oppressive society Montag lives in. Both fire and water are used as cleaning agents in the novel, but in contrasting ways. With fire symbolizing destruction and water symbolizing purification.Fire is initially depicted as a damaging aurora which is used by firemen to incinerate all books and avoid all intrusive taunting thoughts anyone might have about books.It represents the huge suppression of knowledge that the society has, as well as the control the government has. Although as everything progresses in the book, fire now takes a whole new meaning and turns into a symbol of rebirth and new beginnings, As Montag witnesses the destruction of his past life and instead of being devastated he takes it as a fresh start and need for change.On the other hand what is represented as purifying and cleansing force is water. When Montag finds himself by the river after escaping the city, he submerges himself in the water, it seems as if the ashes

In the first daydream he has, he sees himself washing away the ashes of his old life and being reborn.And where he sees himself as a small child, with his childhood friends playing in the meadow Clarisse being one of them.This dream stands for his need for innocence in simpler times.It shows his longing for the freedom he can have to think and question as well as wanting a genuine human connection.This expresses his desire for renewal and his realization of emptiness of his previous existence. Quote from the book as he reflects, “He was not happy”. He said the words to himself. He recognized this as the true state of affairs. He wore his happiness like a mask and there was no way of going to knock on her door and ask for it