Symbolism in Fahrenheit 451
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“Symbolism”
When I read Fahrenheit 451, the most prevalent literacy style that jumped out at me was Ray Bradburys use of symbolism. Symbolism is prevalent throughout the entire novel. Some of it jumps right out at you, but most of it a minute of pondering thought, and even more time of analytical judgment. I absolutely love symbolism. It has to be my absolute favorite literacy style. Symbolism creates a much easier device by which interpret a profound idea or concept. Fahrenheit 451 is chucked to the gills with symbolism.
The Hearth and the Salamander is the heading of the first part of the novel. This is referring to how in mythology the salamander, when thrown into a fire is not consumed by flame. I believe this means that ideas in their society may be shunned and banned, but even because of all that the ideas will still exist when the people reach into their own fire and pull it back out. The Hearth and the Salamander is symbolic even to the storyline of part 1. Montag begins to reach into his “fire,” and pull out ideas that he had never really entertained before.
The Sieve and the Sand is the title of part 2. This is referring to a story in Montags youth. The story goes that when he was a young boy his cousin told him that if he could fill a sieve with sand that he would give Guy a dime. Guy tried and tried and tried, but of course the faster the sand was placed in the sieve, the quicker it sifted through. In this part of the novel, Montag is trying to entertain new thoughts and ideas, but doesnt really know how. This philosophy sifts right through the holes in his imagination. He doesnt know how let a thought flow and stretch his mind.
The third and final part is Burning Bright. Burning Bright has references to many scenes in the last section of the novel. It may actually physically refer to the burning of Montags own house and the barbequing of Captain Beatty, but I believe it has deeper intentions. I believe it is in reference to once again Montags imagination. His mind by now is “burning bright.” He has treated a flame from glowing embers into a flickering fire. He can now better judge his actions and the ideas of society. Nevertheless though, he still has a long way to go.
Fahrenheit 451 is jam-packed with symbolism and imagery. This two page required