Fahrenheight 451 Symbolism

In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, the theme of knowledge is joy and painful is developed through the use of Symbolism. Montag uses so many symbols throughout the book. He compares himself to fire and earthquakes. Montag uses the symbol fire to show how he is feeling. “It was a pleasure to burn”. (Bradbury 1) This develops the theme of how knowledge is joyful and painful. In this matter it is painful.

It was a pleasure to burn symbolizes the pass. How when he destroyed everything because of one evil man.

Beatty said, “ Books are nonsense.” (Bradbury 24 “They feed you nothing but lies”. (Bradbury 24) So Montag wanted to see for himself, to see if Beatty was right. So Montag stole and hid books back after back. Then read them and said they should be for everyone people need this then the earthquake happened.

One could argue that characterization most effective in developing this theme because of the different people in Montag’s life. The characters in this book helped Montag be the man he is at the end of the book. Without the characters, Montag would be a nobody. Faber made a big change in his life. Faber shows that even though it feels overwhelming Montag is right whatever he does. “Montag said I’ve been a fool all down the line I can’t stay long I’m on my way god knows where at least you were a fool about the right said, Faber”. (Bradbury 124)

However without the element of symbolism Montag wouldn’t be as strong. He didn’t listen to Beatty he burnt his house down to prove that burning books were wrong and to leave his past behind him. He believes that books and knowledge are power. “Montag could not move the great earthquake had come with fire and leveled the house and Millie was under there somewhere and his entire life under and he could not move”. (Bradbury 112.)The earthquake symbolizes the destruction of Montag old life. Montag doesn’t know what else to do. All knowledge has done for Montag was the pain he never had joy.

In conclusion Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury the theme knowledge is joy and painful is developed by the use of symbolism. Montag used so many things to compare himself to. He does all of this because he is destroyed, and he only can relate to the fire because he was burning inside he can relate to the earthquake because he did damage and started a war within his community/ town. 

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