Theme Of Fire In Fahrenheit 451

In Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, different representations of fire convey Montag’s journey of identity in order to represent the necessity of destruction for growth. Throughout the novel, Montag describes images of destructive, illuminating, knowledgeable, and warming fire. Through these images and symbols, the reader can see the natural journey of life that Montag, and everyone, goes through. The book teaches that one has to go through pain and ruin before they can build themselves back up. Montag must go through the hurt and confusion he does through with his wife and with fire in order to feel the warmth and comfort he goes through in the end. Bradbury ensues that it is not only okay, but fundamental, to be broken down in order to thrive. The different stages of fire portray the stages of Montag’s identity growing from being so lost and confused, to being certain in who he and what he wants. Montag has a single-viewed, destructive view of fire that stunts his ability to grow. Probably the most common association of fire is destruction. Montag’s whole identity is being a fireman and using fire as a means of destruction. He enjoys

He gets so angry and so passionate about what he is doing that he takes on the aspect of death. Montag goes as far as killing someone else in order to get the change he wants in the world. Bradbury writes, “…all writhing flame on the lawn as Montag shot one continuous pulse of liquid fire on him” (Bradbury 113). Montag is so angry and frenzied that he actually commits murder on someone who is standing in his way of creating change for himself and revolutionizing the whole society. Here, Montag takes a step backwards in his journey. He again uses fire to destroy. But, he does not just destroy books and houses, he actually destroys another human being to the point of death. In this situation, he uses fire as destruction and as a means of