Symbolism In Fahrenheit 451

Kondwani Keitt
Mr. George
English 10 Honors
March 29, 2023
Title
“Books are the greatest tool when one is trying to look past the material conditions they were born into, and books have a way of explaining something that cannot be named." In the current culture, reading is often seen as a means to simply acquire knowledge. However, in Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, the act of reading is portrayed as having a greater significance than the content being read. Montag came to that conclusion after meeting a group of excommunicated intellectuals near the end of the novel, who showed Montag this idea. This essay will discuss the idea that the art of reading is more important than the content being read. Near the end of the book, Montag came into contact with a group

Their leader was Granger. While Granger was talking to Montag, he began to introduce Montag to his friends. Fred Clement, Dr. Simmons, Professor West, Reverend Padover, and Harris in Youngstown. All these men came from different backgrounds, studied a variety of books, and had different opinions. However, they were united by their love for wisdom and knowledge. Later on, in that sequence, Montag expressed his desire to read Plato's Republic. Montag then hears from Granger, "I am Plato's Republic. Like to read Marcus Aurelius? Mr. Simmons is Marcus" (Bradbury 153). That quote shows that these men find their identity not only in books but in the authors of said books. To preserve said ideas, they must continue to read. Another scenario from Fahrenheit 451 that proves the claim the act of reading is more important than what is being read can be seen when Granger said